Tuesday, January 23, 2007

2007 SOFTBALL PREVIEW
Saints return six players from last year's team

DAHLONEGA, Ga. - With the 2007 softball season on the horizon, the North Georgia College & State University Saints are hitting the practice field this week braving the elements of Mother Nature.

With two national tournament berths and five conference championships under their belt at the NAIA level, North Georgia is geared up for their second season of Peach Belt Conference play. The Saints know what it takes to win at this level, finished the season 26-20 overall and 8-10 in conference play in 2006. The Saints will play a vigourous road schedule this season, and will turn to the leadership of their offensive players they have returning to spark the run that got the Saints to the Elite Eight of the National Tournament in 2005.

Overall, the Saints return six field players with experience in the Peach Belt. Senior catcher Brooke Kesler (.349, 11 2B) returns as the team's top hitter, and is the team's starting catcher. She is joined by sophomore second baseman Page Raynor (.328, 10 RBI) and sophomore third baseman Meigan Grimm (.316, 17 RBI) as the lone returnees on the infield for the Saints. In the outfield, the Saints and head coach Mike Davenport return three players who will give them experience and speed. Junior Brittany Cobb (.340, 7 SB), junior Krista Bess (.306, 10 2B) and junior Candace Shubert (.298, 11 SB) return a wealth of experience for the Saints.

On the mound, the Saints will turn to four new pitchers but they will rely on two with Division II experience. Andrea Moss (senior transfer from Kennesaw State) and Whitney Propes (sophomore from AASU) will look to lead the Saints on the mound.

North Georgia opens the season on the road in Jackson, MS - playing in the Henderson State (Ark.) University Tournament.

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