South Carolina State University Athletics

Events and Results

Softball 2/9/2012 4:09:00 PM Dominique Montgomery, Sports Information Student Assistant

SC State Women’s Softball Set to Open Its 2012 Season

Tonja Braxton enters her first season as head coach

Orangeburg, SC – The South Carolina State women's softball team will open its 2012 season this weekend at the 2012 Hampton Jordan Classic hosted by Claflin University. The tournament, which is set for Friday-Saturday, Feb. 10-11 at the Hillcrest Field in Orangeburg, S.C., will feature a total of 10 teams.

SC State, who concluded the 2011 season with a 10-44 overall record and 3-9 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), will open up against Winston-Salem State on Friday at 1 p.m. The Lady Bulldogs will then face Brewton-Parker at 5 p.m. On Saturday, SC State will face Davis and Elkins on at 11 a.m., Clark-Atlanta at 1 p.m. and will close out the tournament against Virginia Union at 5 p.m.

In her first season with SC State, head coach Tonja Braxton, feels confident about the 2012 campaign. “Practices thus far have been productive and spirited along with a lot of teaching,” said Braxton. “I am looking forward to the team being exciting to watch.” Braxton continued, “Although we finished undefeated at the end of the fall exhibition (5-0), we still have a ways to go but we are definitely headed into the right direction.”

This year's team will have the luxury of 10 returning players, with just one senior. The junior class, which return four players coupled with three transfers, will be the leaders, and also include the team captains; Shannon Baity, Arziné Lee and LaTavia Riley. Coach Braxton will also look to the pitching staff for leadership. “I expect the entire pitching core to have the most impact on how the season unfolds,” added Braxton. “The team captains have been showing leadership from the start of the Fall season and I'm confident that it will continue to show, but the pitchers will keep the team in the game.”

SC State will open its home season next Saturday, Feb. 18, when they host Morgan State on the newly renovated Lady Bulldog Field. First pitch for the Morgan State double-header is set for 12 noon. The Lady Bulldogs schedule also includes neighboring Claflin University. This will be the second straight year that the schools have met and for coach Braxton, playing them is just like playing any other team. “The game is just another game on the schedule for the upcoming season and we will have to put just as much effort into that game as any other,” said Braxton.

For a complete 2012 Schedule click here

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