October 11, 2004

For More Information, Contact: Keith Gentry (901) 333-4114 / Kimberly Stark (901) 333-4023

SOUTHWEST SOFTBALL TEAM WINS FOUR GAMES LAST WEEK
Release written by Keith Gentry

The Southwest softball team wrapped up the 2004 fall season by winning four games last week, including three in the Lady Saluqis’ Fall Play Day. The team finished with a 10-18 record this fall, showing a marked improvement over last year.

”I’m very pleased with the improvement we’ve shown over last fall,” said Southwest head coach Keith Gentry. “However, we still have a lot of work to do. We have goals of not only making the region tournament next spring, but to win some games once we get there. It’s not going to be easy, but with a lot of hard work I’m confident that our team has what it takes to accomplish these goals.”

Last Thursday, the Lady Saluqis traveled to Senatobia, Mississippi for games against East Mississippi and Northwest Mississippi and came away with a split. In the first game, Southwest scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to win the game 8-6. Jennifer Davenport, Tiffany Bright, and Jessica Brinson had two hits apiece. In the second game, Southwest was defeated by Northwest Mississippi by a score of 4-0.

On Friday and Saturday, Southwest hosted the Lady Saluqis Fall Play Day. In game one on Friday, Southwest defeated Rhodes 8-0 as pitcher Allison Mullins scattered four hits over five innings. Top hitters for the Lady Saluqis were Tiffany Bright (2 hits, double, 2 RBI) and Chrissy Odom (2 hits, 2 RBI). In the second game, pitcher Caryn Hubbard allowed four hits and struck out four as Southwest defeated Crowley’s Ridge 8-0. Tiffany Bright and Heather Bryant had two hits each for the Lady Saluqis. In the nightcap, pitchers Katie Cerrito and Erica Brich combined to allow only two hits and no earned runs as Southwest defeated East Mississippi 2-1. Brich doubled in the bottom of the fifth and scored the winning run when Melissa Perry reached on an error. The Lady Saluqis’ pitching staff had an outstanding day, allowing no earned runs in 15 innings over the three games.

The Lady Saluqis lost all four games on Saturday – twice to Martin Methodist (9-5 and 9-0), CBU (5-1), and Mississippi Delta (8-1). Despite the losses, there were several players who had good days at the plate: Heather Bryant (2 hits, RBI vs. Martin Methodist), Jennifer Davenport (two-run homer vs. Martin Methodist), Jessica Brinson (2 hits vs. CBU), and Erica Brich (2 hits vs. Martin Methodist).