Meredith College Softball
Guevara Hired as Assistant Coach
Shona Guevara has been named the assistant softball coach. The Eagleville, Pa. native will serve on the staff of Coach Robert Luckadoo.
“I am extremely excited to have Coach Guevara join our staff this year. Bringing an assistant into our program with the outstanding resume that she has, should further solidify our commitment to taking the Meredith College softball program to the next level as a perennial power regionally and nationally. She brings a wealth of knowledge to our program from her time as an outstanding collegiate pitcher. Having her on staff to work with our pitchers, catchers and outfielders this year, will give me the ability to focus on expanding our offensive production through the hitting program that we started last season, and on improving and developing our infield defensive play. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am about this season. Having Coach Guevara on staff, represents just one more piece of the puzzle needed, to take the Meredith softball program toward our goal of being a conference and regional contender.” said Head Coach Robert Luckadoo.
Guevara comes to Meredith from her assistant’s position at Cabrini College (Pa.). Guevara was a stand out collegiate pitcher taking the circle for NCAA Division II powerhouse Humboldt State University in 2001 and 2002. During 2002 as a sophomore, Guevara set a Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) record for most wins in a season (25), most strike outs (172), and most innings pitched (236). In 2001 she was named the GNAC Rookie of the Year, and garnered GNAC and National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-West Region first team honors. In 2001, her team was selected to serve as the U.S. Olympic alternate for the China Invitational International Tournament.
After sitting out her 2003 season with an injury and a medical redshirt, Guevara moved to Pennsylvania where she joined the perennial NCAA Division II national power Lock Haven University (Pa.) pitching staff. In 2004 and 2005 of her junior and senior seasons, she combined for 287 strikeouts while only allowing 41 walks, and maintaining a 1.4 earned run average for both seasons. In 2004 and 2005 she was named to the NFCA Mid-Atlantic Region first team, in 2005 a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference first team selection, and in 2005 broke the Lock Haven school record for most wins as a starting pitcher (19).
Guevara will assist Luckadoo with the Avenging Angel’s pitchers, catchers, and outfielders. She will also be significantly involved with other team day-to-day duties such as travel and team administration. Guevara received a Bachelor’s degree in English Writing from Lock Haven University (Pa).
Softball Season Wrapup
The 2008 Meredith College softball season was an exciting year for the college and the program. It marked a lot of “firsts” in the program’s history. Head Coach Robert Luckadoo came to the program as the first ever full time head coach in Meredith history in late January. Luckadoo came from his assistant coach’s position at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Luckadoo took over a program that had struggled in the previous four seasons, and had not seen double digit victories for a season since the 2003.
Another first for the program included the entry into the nationally renowned and extremely competitive, NCAA Division III conference, the USA South. The USA South is traditionally a very strong Division III athletic conference, and offers competition from schools such as Methodist, Greensboro, and Christopher Newport, all of who have seen time in the NFCA top 25 polls over the last two seasons.
A challenging non-conference schedule added to the excitement of the 2008 season for the Avenging Angels. Nationally ranked opponents such as #2 Lynchburg, and NCAA Division II opponents such Chowan University and Davis & Elkins provided strong competition in non conference match ups. Pre-season tournaments included the “Beach Blast” in Virginia Beach, Va., and the Ferrum Invitational in Roanoke, Va.
There were many team and individual statistical highlights from the 2008 season, which give a glimpse into what has to be an extremely bright future for the Meredith Softball program. The team finished the season with 10 wins overall and 4 wins in the USA South. This season marked the first time since 2003 that the program had seen double digit victories, and saw the first USA South conference victory in a split with N.C. Wesleyan. The team went on to sweep Mary Baldwin and split with Ferrum to total 4 USA South victories for the season.
Offensive production, and specifically the team’s new hitting program, was a key focus upon Luckadoo’s arrival in January. After struggling offensively for the past three seasons, 2008 proved to be one of Meredith College softball’s best offensive years on record. This year’s team broke many statistical offensive records this season including the Meredith College single season record for homeruns (24), different individuals hitting homeruns in a season (7) and finished the season ranked 40th in the nation out of 386 teams in homeruns per game. Prior to 2008, the team had only hit one home run in the previous two seasons combined.
Many individual offensive and defensive records were crushed this year as well, as team members continued to re-write the Meredith College and USA South record books. Freshman Arielle Stout led the charge in re-writing both the offensive and defensive record books. Offensively, the freshman Utility player tied for the conference lead in home runs with (9) during the regular season and (11) overall for the year. She was also 3rd in the conference in slugging percentage (.770) and 3rd in the conference in RBIs (43). Stout finished the season ranked 42nd in the nation in home runs per game, 26th in the nation in RBIs and 60th in the nation in slugging percentage. Freshman Becki Roebock led the conference in on base percentage and had a team high batting average of .411. She also had five doubles and three triples. Amber Littesy, McKenzie Caskey and Beth Sprinkle provided offensive “pop” at the plate as well, and combined for 11 HRs, 10 (2B) and 1 (3B). The trio also accounted for 42 of the teams 138 RBIs for the season. Freshman Dana Higgins had 5 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR and 15 RBIs.
Defensively, pitcher Stout led the conference in strikeouts per game, averaging over 13Ks per game. She also broke the USA South Conference Record for strikeouts for a single game, (which stood at 16Ks) with 17Ks against Lycoming, Pa. on March 15th. She recorded seven games in 2008 with double digit strikeouts including two games with 16Ks, two with 15Ks. Stout was named either rookie of the week or rookie pitcher of the week three different times during the season. Both Roebock and Stout were named to USA South All-Conference teams for their 2008 offensive and defensive performances.
Coach Luckadoo is extremely excited about the team’s accomplishments this season and especially excited about the future of the Meredith College Softball program.
“Considering the difficult circumstances we faced to start our season” (referring to the fact that he didn’t arrive on campus until late January to prepare for the season’s opening game on February 17th) “we came together quickly as a team, worked extremely hard to catch up to the other teams we faced who had been together since the fall, and had a very productive season,“ said Luckadoo.
Most predictions picked the program to finish at the bottom of the USA South this season, and to win few, if any conference games in their first season in the competitive USA South.
“I think we far outperformed most everyone’s predictions for our season. No one really gave us a chance to win any games this season at all, and for most of the season, we held our own as one of the top 5 teams in the conference. Only until the last couple weeks of conference play did we fall to 7th place in the conference,” said Luckadoo.
Luckadoo is excited about this team and the program’s future.
“I am very proud of our team! They are hard workers, have great attitudes, and awesome team chemistry. If we can add a couple top recruits at key positions for next season, I can absolutely see us winning over 20 games and being very competitive with the top teams in our conference,” said Luckadoo.
With a year’s experience under the belt of Meredith’s returning core of freshmen from this season, a full season to get the team ready to play in 2008-09, and the addition of a few key recruits this summer, the 2009 season could truly be the “Breakout Season” for the Meredith College Softball Program.
The Avenging Angels look forward to seeing you at the Meredith Softball Complex on February 6, 2009 for the first pitch of the new season hosting Division II Lees-McCrae.
Softball Ends Season at USA South Tournament
Burlington, N.C. - The Meredith softball team made their first trip to the USA South tournament, and fell in their first two games. In game one, the Avenging Angels lost to eventual losers bracket finalist Averett 6-0. Meredith then took on Ferrum in their second game of the day, dropping 7-2. Meredith was led by Arielle Stout's two-run home run in the sixth inning.
Meredith finishes the season with 10 wins, the most since 2003. The offensive output has greatly increased by finishing second in the USA South with 23 home runs during the regular season. Arielle Stout finished the regular season tied for first in the conference with 9 home runs.
Softball Heads to USA South Tournament
Raleigh, N.C. - The softball team has completed their regular season and head to Burlington, N.C. to play in the USA South tournament. Tuesday's softball game against Averett was cancelled since it will not change the seeding. The following is when the team will play:
Softball - #8 Meredith vs. Averett #9 - Friday 9:00 a.m. Full Schedule
Avenging Angels Named to USA South Teams
Fayetteville, N.C. - The USA South announced their all conference teams and three of Meredith's softball players were placed on them.
Freshman Arielle Stout from Jordan-Mathews High School in Siler City, N.C. made the second team as a utility player. The first baseman and pitcher is 26th in the nation in runs batted in per game (1.26), runs per game (0.26) and 60th in slugging percentage (0.77). Stout's nine home runs on the year places her in a tie for first in the conference. Stout has also been productive in the pitching circle setting an USA South record with 17 strikeouts in 7 innings earlier in the year. She also leads the conference in opposing batting average (.175) and is fifth in strikeouts with 109. Stout has been named Rookie of the Week and Rookie Pitcher of the Week during the 2008 season.
Freshman Becki Roebock from Broughton High School in Raleigh, N.C. was named to the Honorable Mention team at first base. Roebock is 85th in the nation in on base percentage (.514) and is tied for first in the conference in the same category.
Junior Toni Tricarico from East Davidson High School in Thomasville, N.C. was named to be Meredith's representative on the All Sportsmanship team.
Meredith Drops Doubleheader to Hornets
Game 1 - Shenandoah 10, Meredith 0
Game 2 - Shenandoah 9, Meredith 2
Salem, Va. - Meredith (10-24, 4-12 USA South) dropped a double header to Shenandoah in Salem, Va. in a make up home game. Shenandoah won game one 10-0 and game two 9-2.
Game one had singles from Tamara Rhodes, Arielle Stout and Jenn Towns. In game two, Meredith got things started with a two-run home run from McKenzie Caskey. The Hornets then took over scoring the next nine runs.
Meredith next hosts Averett on Tuesday in their last game of the season before the USA South conference tournament.
Meredith Splits with Ferrum
Game 1 - Meredith 3, Ferrum 1
Game 2 - Ferrum 9, Meredith 3
Ferrum, Va. - Arielle Stout threw a two-hitter and 15 strikeouts in eight innings of work, to lead Meredith to a 3-1 win over Ferrum in the first game. Game two was taken by Ferrum 9-3.
Game one was scoreless going into the 8th inning until a 3-run effort and a defensive hold in the bottom, sealed the game. Singles in the 8th inning were provided by Becky Roebock, Beth Sprinkle, Dana Higgins and Val Sherrer.
In game two, Meredith held the lead into the 5th inning until a 5-run inning sealed the game for the Panthers. MacKenzie Caskey had a solo home run in 3rd inning.
Meredith next faces Shenandoah in Salem, Va. on Sunday in a makeup from an earlier date.
Captains Sweep Avenging Angels
Raleigh, N.C. - Meredith resumed their doubleheader with Christopher Newport falling to the Captains 15-2 in game 1. Game two saw the Captains take control winning 8-1 .
Meredith was led in game one with singles from Arielle Stout and Val Sherrer. Game two was led by Becky Roebock with a double. Amber Littesy had 2 singles and an RBI. Beth Sprinkle, Jessica Maurice, Val Sherrer and Tamara Rhodes had singles.
Meredith next travels to Ferrum on Saturday in a USA South doubleheader and play Shenandoah in Salem, Va. on Sunday.
Meredith Swept by Peace
Raleigh, N.C. - Meredith was swept on the road by Peace in a double header. Peace won game one 18-0, and game two 10-2.
Becky Roebock led the way offensively for Meredith in game two going 2 for 3 with a double, RBI and scoring once. Dana Higgins had an RBI-single. Toni Tricarico had a single and scored once.
Meredith next hosts Christopher Newport on Thursday at 3:00 pm. This is a makeup from a rain date on March 30 and will begin in the second inning with CNU leading 3-2.
Softball Seniors Honored
Raleigh, N.C. - The softball seniors were honored in an indoor ceremony on Sunday after the game was rained out. Seniors Jessica Maurice, Amber Littesy and Tamara Rhodes are shown below with the coaches during the gathering.
“I am so appreciative of the leadership and guidance that our seniors have given our team this season. These three seniors are so representative of the excellent quality of students we have here at Meredith. They have been leaders on our team, and I am sure will be future leaders in their chosen professions. In fact, I am sure that I will see Ph.D. after their names, in a few years. My only regret today, as we recognize these seniors, is that I was only able to coach them for one season. It was an honor to get to know each of them this year. I wish I could have coached them for four years.” said Coach Luckadoo.
Softball Team at Formals
Meredith Formals - April 4, 2008
Softball Flexes Power in Loss
Murfreesboro, N.C. - Meredith jumped out to a quick start in both games, but fell in a double header to Division II Chowan University.
In game one, Meredith knocked in six runs in the first inning. Meredith's first inning was led by Arielle Stout's 2-run home run and McKenzie Caskey's 3-run home run. Stout, Dana Higgins and Tamara Rhodes all had doubles.
Game two saw Stout continue her home run hot streak. Stout had a 2-run home run in the first and followed it up with another 2-run home run in the third inning.
The Avenging Angels next host Averett on Sunday in a conference battle. Meredith's senior players will be honored in a pregame ceremony.
Game 1 - Chowan 10, Meredith 8 Box Score
Game 2 - Chowan 12, Meredith 4 Box Score
Softball Drops Two to Greensboro
Greensboro, N.C. - Meredith dropped a conference double header to Greensboro, falling 5-1 and 11-4.
Beth Sprinkle had a solo home run in the forth inning in game one. Game two was led by Arielle Stout with a 2 run double in the first inning to give Meredith the early lead. Amber Littesy also provided a spark in game 2 with 2 hits and 2 runs scored.
Meredith next heads to Chowan for a non-conference match up on Thursday.
Softball Gets Rained Out
Raleigh, N.C - The Meredith softball game with Christopher Newport was rained out. Play was haulted at the top of the 2nd with CNU leading 3-2. The first inning showed signs that the weather was a factor with Meredith walking 6 and CNU walking 4.
The double header against CNU will be held on Thursday April 10 at 3 pm at Meredith. While the game against Shenandoah will be played on Sunday April 13 at a site to be announced.
Methodist Takes Two From Meredith
Game 1 - Methodist 6, Meredith 0
Game 2 - Methodist 20, Meredith 0
Raleigh, N.C. - Meredith dropped a doubleheader to nationally ranked Methodist in a conference match up. The first game saw Meredith take the Monarchs to seven innings, falling 6-0. Meredith was able to spread out the Methodist run production, but were not able to get any runs on the board. McKenzie Caskey had a double in the fifth inning. The second game started rocky for Methodist scoring 13 in the top of the inning. Meredith was not able to recover and Methodist took the doubleheader with a 20-0 win.
Meredith next hosts conference games this weekend with Shenandoah on Saturday at noon and Christopher Newport on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
Stout Named USA South Rookie of the Week
Arielle Stout, Meredith - The freshman first baseman from Siler City, North Carolina hit .550 (11-for-20) with 15 RBI, seven runs scored, four doubles, three home runs and one walk as the Avenging Angels went 4-2 last week.
In a doubleheader split with USA South foe N.C. Wesleyan, Stout was a combined 4-for-7 with four RBI, three runs scored, two doubles and a home run. In a doubleheader split with Guilford, Stout was a combined 3-for-5 with two RBI and a double. Finally, in a doubleheader sweep of USA South rival Mary Baldwin, Stout was a combined 4-for-8 with nine RBI, four runs scored, two home runs and a walk.
Meredith Tames Squirrels in First Conference Sweep
Game 1 - Meredith 11, Mary Baldwin 2 - 5 innings
Game 2 - Meredith 18, Mary Baldwin 5 - 5 innings
Staunton, Va. - Meredith (9-11, 3-1 USA South) gained their first conference sweep, running up the host Squirrels in both games.
In game one, the Avenging Angels had their bats going. Tamera Rhodes had her first career home run, went two for three and had three runs batted in. Beth Sprinkle went two for four and drove in three runs. Arielle Stout had a hit, driving in two runs. Stout also contributed a strong pitching effort only giving up two hits and striking out nine.
Game two was no different with Meredith continuing the attack with four home runs. Stout went two for five, with two home runs and seven runs batted in including a grand slam home run. Amber Littesy and Beth Sprinkle also had two-run homers in the offensive onslaught. Dana Higgins went three for three and scored four runs. Anna Beavon Gravely added a two run single. Becky Roebock was the winning pitcher and went three for five from the plate.
Meredith next hosts Methodist on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m.
Meredith Splits with Guilford
Game 1: Guilford 12, Meredith 1
Game 2: Meredith 4, Guilford 3
Raleigh, N.C. - Meredith (7-11) split their doubleheader with Guilford College losing game one 12-1 and winning the second game 4-3.
In game one, Amber Littesy got things going with a lead off home run, but that was all that Meredith could muster offensively. Becki Roebock added a double for the Meredith.
Game two was a different story and a defensive game to the end. MacKenzie Caskey had an one-run single in the 2nd inning while Arielle Stout had a two one-run doubles in the 3rd and 5th innings. Pinch runner Jennifer Towns was moved into scoring position by Tamera Rhodes' bunt, and Towns scored on a infield error to give Meredith the win in the bottom of the 7th inning. Roebock added a strong pitching effort holding Guilford to only three runs on eight hits.
Meredith next travels to Mary Baldwin on Saturday for a conference doubleheader.
Meredith Softball Earns First USA South Win
Game 1 - Meredith 8, NC Wesleyan 5
Game 2 - NC Wesleyan 14, Meredith 5
Raleigh, N.C. - Meredith faced N.C. Wesleyan in their first-ever USA South Athletic Conference game. They earned their first conference win with a 8-5 victory. N.C. Wesleyan evened the doubleheader with a 14-5 win in game 2.
In game 1, Meredith took the lead and never looked back. Meredith put 5 runs on the board in the second inning with a 1-RBI single from Becki Roebock, a 2-RBI double from Arielle Stout, and a 2-RBI single from Beth Sprinkle. Amber Littesy had a 3-run home to right field in the third inning. Stout provided a strong pitching effort by striking out 15.
Game 2 of the doubleheader followed the same suit as the first game as Meredith took the first lead. Meredith put four runs on the board in the first inning. The Avenging Angels got the inning started with a double steal and score at home by Amber Littesy. Stout had a 3-run home run to cap the scoring. N.C. Wesleyan's bats then caught fire with 14 runs and took the win.
Meredith next hosts a non-conference foe Guilford on Friday.
Stout Named USA South Rookie Pitcher of the Week
USA South Softball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
Arielle Stout, Meredith - The freshman from Siler City, North Carolina appeared in two games for the Avenging Angels last week, earning a 2-0 record without giving up a run. Stout tossed a total of 12 innings giving up two hits with four walks and 30 strikeouts. In a 22-0, five-inning, win over Purchase State, Stout gave up just one hit and struck out 13 batters. In a 6-0 victory over Lycoming, Stout again gave up just one hit to earn the win. In addition, Stout struck out 17 batters which is a new USA South single-game record.
Meredith next hosts N.C. Wesleyan at home on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m
Avenging Angels Flex Offensive Muscle
In a display of offensive force, the Meredith Softball team flexed its collective muscle at the plate this weekend at the Ferrum Softball tournament held in Salem, Virginia. As a team, the offensive numbers proved to be the best of the season. The Avenging Angels averaged over 10 runs per game in their four game series, and verified what some already knew, that this team can hit the ball with anyone. In the four game series, Meredith compiled offensive totals including (6) doubles, (4) triples, (5) homeruns (including a grand slam) (39) total hits and (41) RBIs. The team hit at least one home run in each game of the four game tournament.
Coach Luckadoo is very happy with the team’s progress at the plate. “We put in a new hitting program when I came in late January” said Luckadoo. “At that time, I told the team that they needed to erase everything in their memory that they previously had been taught about hitting, and start from scratch. I also told them it would take about eight weeks to really get comfortable with my hitting program and assured them that patience and discipline would be the keys to mastering the new program. They really bought into the concepts of the program wholeheartedly, and have worked diligently to master the concepts. We are really beginning to see the results of their hard work, dedication and discipline. I am very proud of them all and extremely happy with the strides we have made as a team.”
The five homeruns over the weekend brings the team homerun total to (9) for the season, and is already eight more round trippers than the team hit all of last season. So far, six different players have homered for the Avenging Angels, and the numbers of extra base hits continue to rise.
The Avenging Angels will open their USA South Conference play tomorrow at home versus NC Wesleyan, then will host non-conference foe Guilford on Friday. The Avenging Angels then close out the busy week by traveling north to Mary Baldwin for a conference double header on Saturday.
“We are very excited to be starting conference play. We are proud to be a new member of the USA South and have very high expectations of ourselves as we enter conference this week.” said Luckadoo.
Stout Breaks Strikeout Record in Shutout
Salem, Va. - Meredith knocked off Lycoming (Pa.) 6-0 to finish second in their bracket in the Ferrum Softball Invitational.
Arielle Stout again led the way this weekend in the pitching circle and at the plate. She pitched her second one-hitter of the weekend and struck out 17. The 17 strikeouts by Stout is a school and USA South Conference record. She also went 1 for 4 from the plate with a home run. Becky Roebock went 2 for 4 and had an RBI. Val Sherrer went 3 for 3 and scored twice.
Meredith earlier in the day fell to Emory and Henry 15-4.
Meredith next plays against either Christopher Newport or N.C. Wesleyan in their last game of the invitational.
Meredith Softball Clobbers Purchase State
Salem, Va. - Meredith opened up play in the Ferrum Softball Invitational, clobbering Purchase State 22-0. Meredith out played the competition with a complete pitching and offensive effort.
Arielle Stout led the way for Meredith by pitching a complete game, one-hitter with 13 strikeouts and providing power offensively. She went 3 for 4, knocked in five runs, and hit a double, triple and grand slam home run.
Val Sherrer hit her first career home run, a two-run shot, going 2 for 2 from the plate. Beth Sprinkle went 2 for 4 and 4 RBIs. Amber Littesy hit in four RBIs going 2 for 5. Jennifer Towns went 3 for 4 for the game.
Meredith next plays Emory and Henry in the Ferrum Softball Invitational at 4pm on Saturday.
Meredith Gains Big Win and Falls in Close Game
Virginia Beach, Va. - Meredith split their games on Saturday, defeating Cabrini 13-5 in 5 innings and dropping to Gwynedd-Mercy 6-5.
In the win against Cabrini, Meredith scored 12 runs in the first three innings. Tamara Rhodes went two for three scored three times and batted in one RBI. Senior Amber Littesy went one for one, walked three times and scored four times.
Beth Sprinkle led the way in the game against Gwynedd-Mercy. She went 3-3 with a home run, 2 singles and 3 RBIs.
Meredith next heads to Randolph-Macon on Thursday for a double header beginning at 2:00 p.m.
Softball Falls in Two Games at Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, Va. - Meredith dropped its two games on Saturday. In the first game, the Avenging Angels lost in a 5 innings, losing to York (Pa.) 8-0. Becki Roebock had a strong pitching performance. In the second game, Meredith fell to Divison II school Davis & Elkins 13-1. Meredith led 1-0 through three innings until the Senators took control.
The Saturday games for the Meredith College softball team in Va. Beach have been rescheduled as follows:
Saturday, February 29, 2008
12:00 p.m. vs. Cabrini (Pa.)
8:00 p.m. vs. Gwynedd-Mercy (Pa.)
Softball Games For Friday at Virginia Beach Changed
Virginia Beach, Va. - The Friday games for the Meredith College softball team have been moved and rescheduled as follows:
Friday, February 29, 2008
4:00 p.m. vs. York (Pa.) - Churchland Park
8:00 p.m. vs. Davis & Elkins - Highland Biltmore field
Directions:
Churchland Park -
Churchland Park is on Cedar Lane at the corner of Cedar Lane and River Shore Road just past the intersection of I-164 and Cedar Lane.
Highland Biltmore Field - From Route 17 (Frederick Blvd.) Take Deep Creek Blvd then turn right onto Elliott Avenue. The field is on Elliott Avenue.
The games for Saturday are currently on as originally scheduled.
Caskey Named USA South Softball Rookie of the Week
McKenzie Caskey, Meredith - The freshman first baseman/designated player from Cary, North Carolina has appeared in two games this season as the Avenging Angels have begun the campaign with a 2-2 record. Caskey's two appearances came in a double-header sweep of Sweet Briar this past weekend.
During these two games Caskey batted .429 (3-for-7) with two runs scored, three RBIs and one home run. Caskey's home run, the first of her collegiate career, came in the bottom of the seventh in game-one with the score tied, 7-7.
Softball Drops Two to Pitt Community
Game 1
Pitt Community 10, Meredith 7
Meredith was led by Arielle Stout with a 3-run home run in the bottom of the third inning. Amber Littesy had a two-RBI triple in the bottom on the fourth and stole home on a wild pitch to cut the Pitt lead to one at 7-8.
Game 2
Pitt Community 11, Meredith 2
Dana Higgins and Stout added RBIs in the third inning. Becki Roebock had two doubles and scored once.
Meredith next travels to Virginia Beach, Va. to participate in the Virginia Wesleyan College Beach Blast.
Softball Sweeps Sweet Briar
Game 1 - Meredith 9, Sweet Briar 7
McKenzie Caskey provided a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 7th to win the game for the Avenging Angels. Amber Littesy also had a home run for Meredith.
Game 2 -
Meredith 4, Sweet Briar 2 - Meredith scored 4 runs in the bottom on the sixth inning to take the lead. The Avenging Angels then sat down the Vixens with a three up, three down in the top of the seventh to gain the win.
Meredith returns to action on Sunday at 12 p.m. as they host Pitt Community College.
Softball Game on Saturday Moved
Raleigh, N.C. - The Meredith softball game against Sweet Briar on Saturday has been moved to Peace College. Game time is still 1:00 p.m.
Meredith Gears Up For Season
Members of the 2008 Meredith College Avenging Angel softball team enjoyed some great food and lots of laughs this week at a team dinner at El Rodeo Restaurant in Raleigh, NC. With eight new team members this season, and a new coaching staff, the dinner "get together" served as a great opportunity for fellowship and team bonding, before entering the heart of their very competitive NCAA Division III schedule.
Meredith Softball is scheduled for a home double header on Saturday, February 23 against Sweet Briar and again on Sunday, February 24 against Pitt Community College.
Come out and support your Avenging Angel softball team as they prepare to take on these two non conference opponents.
First pitch for Saturday's opening game is 1:00 pm and Sunday at 12:00 pm.
Hornets Take Two From Avenging Angels
Cary, N.C. - The Meredith Avenging Angels softball team fell in both games of the double header to Lynchburg, 10-0 and 8-2. Dana Higgins and Arielle Stout had RBIs in the 3rd inning of the second game for Meredith.
Lynchburg is ranked 11th in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) pre-season poll.
Meredith next hosts Sweet Briar on Saturday at 1:00 pm.
Saturday's Home Doubleheader Moved
Raleigh, N.C. - Saturday's home doubleheader on February 16 against Lynchburg College will now be played at Brooks Park in Cary, N.C. Directions to the park can be found here.
Game time is 1:00pm.
Meredith 2008 Softball Preview
Raleigh, N.C. - The 2008 softball season begins a new era for the Meredith Avenging Angels softball program. This season will mark many firsts for the program and the College. This year will be the first in the program’s history to be played as a member of an NCAA Division III Conference. Meredith entered the USA South Athletic Conference as the tenth conference member this fall, and will have its first conference softball game on Tuesday, March 18th at home against North Carolina Wesleyan.
Meredith College, in their first season in the conference, was selected to finish ninth in the USA South Athletic Conference 2008 preseason coaches' poll.
USA South Athletic Conference 2008 Preseason Softball Poll Released
Fayetteville, N.C. - Methodist University was picked to win the USA South Athletic Conference 2008 softball title in the preseason coaches' poll. The Monarchs captured their second consecutive USA South Tournament title last season.
Methodist received six of ten first-place votes (78 points) as head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.
Greensboro College finished second in the balloting as The Pride received 73 points and three first-place votes. Christopher Newport University, the defending USA South Regular Season champions, earned 68 points and the final remaining first-place vote. N.C. Wesleyan College with 49 points and Peace College with 45 points rounded out the top-half of the poll.
Meredith College, in their first season in the conference, was selected to finish ninth.
The 2008 USA South Softball Tournament will once again be played at Springwood Park in Burlington, N.C. on April 18-20.
The Avenging Angels open up their season hosting Lynchburg College on February 16.
2008 USA South Women's Softball Coaches Poll |
||
| Rank | Institution (1st place Votes) | Pts. |
| 1. | Methodist (6) | 78 |
| 2. | Greensboro (3) | 73 |
| 3. | Christopher Newport (1) | 68 |
| 4 | N.C. Wesleyan | 49 |
| 5. | Peace | 45 |
| 6. | Ferrum | 43 |
| 7. | Shenandoah | 41 |
| 8. | Averett | 23 |
| 9. | Meredith | 16 |
| 10. | Mary Baldwin | 14 |
Luckadoo Named Head Softball Coach
Raleigh, N.C. - Robert Luckadoo has been named the new head coach of the Meredith softball program. Luckadoo comes to Meredith from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he served under head coach Donna Papa as an Assistant Coach. Luckadoo brings a wealth of experience from the Tar Heel softball program were he worked with pitchers and catchers, was responsible for video analysis of Tar Heel hitters, and assisted practice planning and coordination of the Carolina Softball Camps and Clinics. Full Bio
The Avenging Angels open up their season hosting Lynchburg College on February 16.
Meredith Competes in Fall Season
Greensboro, N.C. - The Meredith College softball team played in three games at Guilford College over the weekend of October 6.
Score Summaries
Meredith 0, Guilford 3; All runs scored in 1st inning, defense shut Guilford down but despite getting runners on repeatedly, couldn't score
Meredith 3, Denver Dazzle 3; All DD runs in 1st, MC comes back in 6th to force the tie.
Meredith 1, Sun Devils 6; SD scores early, MC mounting comeback, but game called do to darkness.
2007 Season Stories