The Sycamores open their 2011 softball season this weekend in scenic Monroe, LA (left) in the UL-Monroe Mardi Gras Classic. ISU is hoping the experience gained by a young squad during the 2010 season will pay off with a return to the MVC Championships in 2011. The scheduled 56 game slate begins this Saturday, February 12, with contests against the host ULM Warhawks and the Northwestern State Demons. Then, Sunday, ISU will take on Southeast Missouri State before playing Arkansas - Pine Bluff. Here is a quick look at each team:
Louisiana - Monroe Warhawks: Playing in the competitive Sun Belt Conference, ULM finished 2010 with an overall mark of 24-26. The 2011 SunBelt Conference Pre Season Player of the Year, Sr. Outfielder Brianna Love is expected to lead the Warhawks. Love was a 1st Team Sun Belt performer in 2010, while also being named to the NFCA All-South Region 2nd Team. Last year, Love led the Sun Belt in three offensive categories: slugging percentage (.723), on base percentage (.533) and walks (41), while setting ULM single-season records in batting average (.394), on base percentage and walks. Love led the Warhawks in 11 statistical categories, including batting average, runs (41), hits (54), home runs (11) and stolen bases (15). ULM finished the year with an RPI of 115.
Northwestern State Demons: Located in Natchitoches, LA, Northwestern State is coming off a 2010 year that saw them finish with a record of 27-27 playing in the Southland Conference. Jr. First Baseman Sam Roberts was voted to the pre-season all Southland squad, after hitting .333 with 5 HRs, 35 RBIs, and a .496 Slugging Percentage a season ago. The Demons finished the year with a final RPI ranking of 186. The contest against the Sycamores will be the Demons fourth game of the season.
Southeast Missouri Redhawks: Playing in the Ohio Valley conference, SEMO finished the 2010 season with an overall record of 17-31. ISU and the Redhawks played three times in 2010, with SEMO winning during the opening weekend at the Blues City Classic hosted by Memphis, then the two squads split a double-header in Terre Haute later in the season. SEMO graduated all but seven letter winners from that 2010 squad, but they welcome 12 newcomers to Cape Girardeau, including transfers from Oklahoma and Boston University. SEMO finished 2010 with a final RPI of 228.
Arkansas - Pine Bluff Lions: The Lions finished the 2010 season with an overall mark of 6-29 playing in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Their final RPI was 288 a season ago. Sr. Misti Cosby returns with the most potent offensive numbers, as she hit .404 with 5 HRs and a .626 Slugging Percentage a year ago.
GO SYCAMORES!
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