Live Stats (SIU)
Live Stats (Troy)
Live Stats (Saturday/Sunday Games)
Video (Sunday Only)

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The College of Charleston opens a new era in its softball program history this weekend with five games in three days in Alabama.

The Cougars get underway on Friday with games against Southern Illinois (noon) and host Troy (3 p.m.) in the Trojan Classic. 

Charleston then heads to Montgomery on Saturday for the Stinger Classic, taking on Austin Peay (11:30 a.m.) and host Alabama State (5:30 p.m.). The trip concludes on Sunday at noon with a second meeting against Austin Peay.

The weekend marks the beginning of the 30th season of the Cougar softball program and first for head coach Tracey Lynch and assistants Matt Burns and Jake Combs. 

"Team 30 has worked diligently to prepare for the opportunity to be on the field together," said Lynch. "I am proud of the work we have put in as a team and staff. I look forward to what we will accomplish on the field not only this weekend but throughout the season."

The Cougars return 10 position players – all of whom started at least 20 games last season – and five pitchers. Charleston will also benefit in the circle with the return of lefty Drayton Siegling, who was third in the CAA in ERA (1.76) when the 2020 season was shut down.

Jenna Helberg led the Cougars last year with a .300 average, and Shealyn Starks batted .268 with a team-high 30 hits while starting 39 of 41 games during her freshman campaign. Payton Wade paced CofC with five home runs and matched Starks with 14 RBI.

Carli McCants struck out 44 batters, the most among returning Cougars, including a career-high 12 in a win over SC State. 

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Last Year: 37-16; Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Champions; NCAA Tempe Regional
Top Returning Hitters: Bailey Caylor (.333, 9-10 SB); Jenny Jansen (.319, 9 HR, 47 RBI)
Top Returning Pitcher: Sarah Harness (22-7, 1.77 ERA, 193.1 IP, 211 Ks)
Series Record: SIU leads, 1-0 (9-0 on March 5, 2004)

TROY
Last Year: 37-17; NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional (first postseason berth since 1996)
Top Returning Hitters: Kelly Horne (.32, 18 2B, 8 HR, 48 RBI); Jade Sinness (.339, 15 2B, 8 HR, 33 RBI); Katie Lively (.303, 7 HR, 37 RBI)
Top Returning Pitcher: Leanna Johnson (21-8, 1.66 ERA, 181.0 IP, 260 Ks)
Series Record: Troy leads, 2-1 (Troy won last meeting, 8-3, at home in 2020)

AUSTIN PEAY
Last Year: 27-16 
Top Returning Hitters: Lexi Osowski (.425, 5 HR, 26 RBI); Brooke Pfefferle (.327), Bailey Shorter (.326, 4 HR, 21 RBI)
Top Returning Pitcher: Jordan Benefiel (8-7, 2.03 ERA, 82.2 IP, 80 Ks)
Series Record: Charleston leads, 1-0 (9-1 on March 7, 1999)

ALABAMA STATE
Last Year: 19-29; SWAC Tournament Champions; NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional
Top Returning Hitters: Jaeda Gardner (.339, 12-14 SB); Madison Myers (.320, 23-27 SB)
Series Record: First Meeting