The Lee University softball team, under the direction of Head Coach Emily Russell, kick off their 2012 season, Saturday, hosting Tennessee Temple University for a noon doubleheader at Butler Field. The Lady Flames are coming off a 26-16 season, which produced a third-place finish in the powerful SSAC East Division.
Russell enters her 10th season as the Lady Flames skipper, and has her Lee ladies refueled and ready for a run in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC).
The visitors from Chattanooga are in their first season as a program and are being led by Coach Randy Crawford. Former Lady Flames All-American Johana Gomez serves as assistant coach for the Lady Crusaders.
Ana Coscorrosa headlines the group of returning players, after hitting .421 as a freshman in 2011. Junior Savanna Bell will once again serve as the catalyst in centerfield and at the top of the lineup. Senior Brittany Balough is the most experienced returning pitcher and will anchor the Lee pitching staff.
The 2012 class of newcomers are a talented group, and should provide added athleticism to this year’s team. Junior Jennifer Ringle, a California Junior College NFCA All-American and Golden Spikes winner, will join fellow-junior Dezirae Parsons to lock down the middle infield positions. Freshman Jessa Watts will strengthen the pitching staff, and freshman outfielders Laurel Allen and Dominique Hannah will battle for playing time at the corner outfield spots.