Southeast Missouri State University student publication

SEMO softball hopes to hit on an OVC Championship in 2023

Monday, February 13, 2023
Photo from pixabay.com

SEMO softball enters the season with high expectations, even though they lost pitcher Rachel Rook and outfielder Kaylee Anderson. This is mainly due to what head coach Mark Redburn believes is potentially the best offense he’s had during his nine seasons at SEMO.

“I've said this to our players before, we've had some really good offensive teams in the past, but I think this potentially could be from top to bottom, the best overall offensive team that I've ever had,” Redburn said.

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The offense returns several important contributors from last year. These include sophomore infielder Aubrie Shore, junior infielder Kynzie Wrigley, and junior outfielder Paige Halliwill.

Shore batted .288 with nine home runs and 35 RBIs. Wrigley contributed with a .323 batting average, 5 home runs, and 31 RBIs. Halliwill batted .270 with 8 home runs and a team-leading 36 RBIs.

Aside from those three another possible big contributor according to Kynzie Wrigley, is freshman Brittany Affolter.

“Brittany stuck out to me because she's a hard worker and she makes the plays. She listens and she does what she's supposed to do,” Wrigley said.

Another addition for SEMO will be redshirt sophomore outfielder Jillian Anderson and senior infielder Alyson Tucker returning from injury.

Anderson was the Redhawks starting left fielder and leadoff hitter through the first 12 games of the season before an elbow injury prematurely ended her season. According to Coach Redburn, she is now at 100%, and ready for the start of the season.

Tucker was the teams starting shortstop for the first 25 games last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Coach Redburn says she’s not 100% healthy yet, but she’s making her way back.

The Redhawks continue their season with a doubleheader this weekend against Saint Louis University at 12 and 2 p.m. on Feb. 19 at the Southeast Softball Complex in Cape Girardeau.

Paige Halliwill said the team was confident in their preparation for their first game opponent, Louisiana Tech who the team played on Feb. 11-12.

“The biggest thing was going there, showing up, and knowing that we were fully prepared,” Halliwill said.

As for the entirety of the season, Coach Redburn said his program has reached a level where championships are the goals and expectations for the season.

“I feel like we've reached a level as a championship program. We are the winningest sports team at SEMO for the last seven years, and so we have high expectations,” Redburn said. “For me, we talk about our goals to win championships, so I say that to our players because I want that to be their mindset. And it's certainly a goal that is achievable.”

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