The USCB softball team opens the 2017 season Saturday, hosting Montreat College for a non-conference doubleheader. The Cavaliers will be the Sand Sharks' first opponent for the second straight season, and the teams will square off on the opening weekend of the season for the third straight year.
Coach Laura Heberling once again will have a young team, as 17 of the 20 players on USCB's roster are freshmen or sophomores. As many as five freshmen could get starting nods on Opening Day.
"The girls have come in and made things happen," Heberling said. "They're working tremendously hard every day. We have so many new people, but it really doesn't feel like that. They have all jelled and come together and figured out what we need to do to accomplish the things we want to."
The Sand Sharks have a versatile roster this season with numerous players who can play multiple positions, giving Heberling unprecedented flexibility, which she plans to use to keep hot bats in the lineup.
"We've got to be able to hit the ball," she said. "You hit the ball, you score runs. I've told the girls, if you hit the ball, we have to find you a spot."
FIN FACTS
»» USCB is 10-0 all-time on Opening Day and has outscored its opponents 110-14, including 14-0 and 14-6 wins over Montreat last season.
»» The Sand Sharks enter the season receiving votes in the NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Poll. USCB was picked to finish third in the Sun Conference coaches' preseason poll.
»» USCB plays 13 of its first 15 games at home, including six games in the NAIA Southeastern Challenge (Feb. 16-18) and four in the Rawlings Games (Feb. 24-25). The Sand Sharks are 106-18 all-time at Richard Gray Sports Complex.
»» Senior INF Marissa Becker enters the season ranked second in USCB history with 33 stolen bases and is closing in on breaking Sammi Shaffren's school record of 43.
»» Sophomore P Abby Pac compiled 98 strikeouts in her freshman campaign and already ranks third on USCB's career list.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
The Cavaliers opened their season with a doubleheader Friday at Brewton-Parker. Coach Heather Maston's team went 7-41 last season, including a 3-17 mark in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. Montreat batted .242 as a team a year ago and averaged 2.35 runs per game while posting a 7.33 team ERA and allowing 7.96 runs per contest.
RELATED LINKS
USCB Schedule and Results
USCB Season Statistics
Sand Shark Softball Record Book
Sun Conference Softball Standings
