CLEARWATER, FL – Opening day of softball season has arrived and the Southern University Lady Jaguars begin play at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association D1 Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida. The games start at 6:30 p.m. on February 10 against the University of Illinois at the Eddie C. Moore Complex.
 
After Illinois, the Lady Jaguars will take on Howard at 8:30 p.m., Louisville on February 11 at 4 p.m., No. 17/20 Kentucky at 6:30 p.m. and St. John's University on February 12 at 10 a.m.
 
Southern added 11 transfers or freshman to a team that returned 11 players from last season SWAC quarterfinals run.
 
In the circle, Southern returns the combination of Raquel Latta and Julia York who combined to go 14-27. Latta, a fifth-year senior, saw the majority of her work change from the field to the circle in her second year on the Bluff. Last season, she appeared in 38 games with 23 starts and four complete games. York appeared in 33 games in the circle with 16 starts and two complete games.
 
The Lady Jaguars are led offensively by Alana Mark, York and Alissa Castaneda. Mark, a sophomore, led the Lady Jaguars with a .316 batting average and seven home runs last season. When York wasn't in the circle, she contributed at the plate as the designated player. She finished the season second on the team with a .296 average and two home runs. Castaneda made her mark in field, splitting time between shortstop and second base. She finished the season with a .255 average and two home runs.
 
The opening game against Illinois will be a family reunion for Coach Brittney Williams. Her sister, Tyra Perry was her coach at Western Kentucky and is now the head coach of the Fighting Illini.
 
When the Lady Jaguars take on Kentucky, it will be only the fifth time in program history they will face a ranked opponent. The previous meetings came against Louisiana schools, three vs. LSU and one vs. Louisiana.

All games will be streamed on the GameChanger app at the folling link, NFCA Leadoff Classic Stream.

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