The Lady Eagles softball team will be looking to improve on a 10-19 record as they enter Conference play against Navarro Wednesday. Despite losing eight of their last nine, the Lady Eagles are confident as they move into the heart of their 2013 schedule.
?We have played some very tough teams and we have been learning as we go,? head coach Jessica Keith said. ?We should be battle tested and ready to go now as we enter conference play.?
The Eagles have played some tough competition in very close games so far this season, including picking up a 7-3 win over 11th†ranked Butler on March 2. The Eagles are no strangers to facing ranked opponents this season as they fell 6-5 to No. 18 Iowa Western and 6-2 to second-ranked Blinn in February.
?You only grow stronger from facing tough opponents and that is what we were looking to do early in the season,? Keith said. ?When you play teams like that, win or lose, only good things come from it down the road.?
Heading into conference play, the Eagles have several players among the conference leaders in several statistical categories, including Amanda Shirley, who is currently fifth in batting average at .423 and ninth in stolen bases with 12.
Sophomore Alizabeth Autrey is fourth in the conference in doubles with 11 so far this season while pitcher Katie Tapley is eighth in strikeouts with 56. Pitchers Hannah Holovach and Haley Manson are also among the conference leaders in saves.
After opening conference play at home against Navarro Wednesday, the Lady Eagles will travel to face Paris Junior College Saturday and non-conference foe Weatherford Monday. The Lady Eagles will be back at home April 3 as they host Paris.
