May 5, 2005

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

SOUTHWEST SOFTBALL TEAM TO PLAY NATIONALLY-RANKED CHATTANOOGA STATE IN REGION TOURNAMENT

The Southwest softball team, participating in the Region VII Tournament for the first time, will take on top-seeded and 6th-ranked Chattanooga State in an opening round game at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 7 in Columbia, Tennessee.

Southwest qualified for the tournament by defeating Jackson State 2-1 in a “play-in” game on Wednesday at Brighton High School. The two teams finished the regular season in a tie for fourth place in the Western Division of the Tennessee Junior and Community College Athletic Association, forcing the playoff game at a neutral site.

The Lady Saluqis, under the direction of second-year head coach Keith Gentry, enter the tournament with a 25-34 overall record, more than doubling last year’s total of 11 victories. Sophomore catcher Tiffany Bright, who was named to the all-conference team as a freshman last season, leads the team with a .357 average, 50 hits, 59 total bases and 31 runs batted in. Other top hitters for the Lady Saluqis are sophomore leftfielder Ginny Galloway (.320, 14 RBI), freshman pitcher-infielder Erica Brich (.279, 22 RBI), and sophomore shortstop Chrissy Odom (.278, 9 RBI).

Also in the usual starting lineup for Southwest are freshman first baseman Jennifer Davenport (.261, 14 RBI), sophomore second baseman Jessica Laubacker (.260, 17 RBI), sophomore third baseman Heather Bryant (.248, 18 RBI), sophomore centerfielder Christi Morrison (.233, 15 RBI), and freshman right-fielder Crystal Smith (.157, 4 RBI). Part-time starters for the Lady Saluqis are sophomore catcher Erin Cook (.281, 18 RBI) and sophomore pitcher Katie Cerrito (.254, 7 RBI).

Brich is also the team’s top pitcher, leading the staff with a 10-10 record, 2.27 earned run average, 129-2/3 innings pitched and 130 strikeouts. Lefthander Cerrito, the only sophomore pitcher on the team, has a 4-15 record, 3.57 ERA, and has struck out 35 batters in 119-2/3 innings. Other members of the Southwest pitching staff are freshman right-hander Allison Mullins, who is 2-8 on the season with a 5.71 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 61-1/3 innings, and freshman Caryn Hubbard, who has appeared in five games, posting a 3-1 record and 2.86 ERA.