Live Stats/Live Video – Live Stats and Live Video of all of SMU's softball games will be available with links found on smusaints.com. Live stats and video will be produced by the host school.
Social Media – Follow the Saints on Twitter (@SMUSaints_SB) for live in game updates, and follow SMU Athletics on Facebook (Saint Martin's Saints), Twitter (SMUSaints), Instagram (SMUSaints).
Ticket Information – All Saint Martin's home softball games are free admission with free parking available on campus next to Marcus Pavilion.
Saints Digital Network – The Saints Digital Network is your home all Saint Martin's Athletics. Live stats and video broadcast are available of every home game this season for free, and can be found on smusaints.com.
Projected Starting Rotation:
Brandi Schoessler (5-2, 2.70 ERA, 1.36 WHIP)
Abby Runyon (2-2, 3.89 ERA, 2.11 WHIP)
Projected Starting Lineup:
C
Julia Lucas (.371 AVG, 1 HR, 10 RBI)
1B
Kylie Lopez (.316 AVG, 3 HR, 8 RBI)
2B
Kylee Vanderbout (.343 AVG, 3 HR, 10 RBI)
3B
Nicki DeHan (.171 AVG, 0 HR, 1 RBI)
SS
Destiny Conerly (.250 AVG, 0 HR, 2 RBI)
LF
Regan Byrd (.361 AVG, 0 HR, 7 RBI)
CF
Emery Norwood (.429 AVG, 0 HR, 4 RBI)
RF
Olivia Schmidt (.281 AVG, 1 HR, 5 RBI)
DP
Devyn Connolly (.154 AVG, 0 HR, 3 RBI)
GNAC Championships – In 2020, the Saints will host the GNAC Softball Championships on their home field from April 30 thru May 2. Saint Martin's last hosted in 2018 before the tournament was moved to Concordia in 2019. Tickets can be purchased at gnacsports.com.
Desert Stinger Recap – Saint Martin's proved to be one of the best teams in the at the 2020 Desert Stinger, going 4-1 and tied for 3rd in the standings. The Saints' lone loss came against undefeated UT Tyler. Saint Martin's began the tournament with a sweep of University of Mary, followed by a win against Dominican. After the loss to UT Tyler, Saint Martin's responded with a sweep of Academy of Art. In their final game,
Kylee Vanderbout's seventh inning two-run home run sealed the victory for Saint Martin's.
Brandi Schoessler Named GNAC Pitcher of the Week - Schoessler pitched 14 innings for the Saints at the Desert Stinger, where SMU went 4-1 in three days. During her time on the rubber, she posted a tournament best 1.50 ERA, along with a 3-0 record. She allowed only four runs, three earned on 15 hits, while walking none, and punching out eight. Her highlight was a complete game performance against University of Mary, where she allowed only two runs, one earned, and struck out three.
Desert Stinger All-Tournament –
Emery Norwood and
Brandi Schoessler were both named to the All-Tournament Team. Norwood was nearly impossible to get out, going 11-for-18 with four walks, and 9-for-9 on stolen bases. Schoessler dominated in the circle, going 3-0, with a tournament best 1.50 ERA, striking out eight, and walking no one.
Lights Out In The Circle –
Brandi Schoessler has quickly become one of the best pitchers in all of the GNAC, going 5-2 with a 2.70 ERA and four complete games. In 44 innings of work, Schoessler has allowed only 17 earned runs, seven walks, and has punched out 21 batters.
Beep Beep, Zoom Zoom – The Saints are a unstoppable force on the base paths. So far on the year, SMU has recorded 26 stolen bases in 33 attempts, and rank 18th in the NCAA with 2.3 stolen bases per game. Norwood leads the team overall with 11 total.
Controlling the Zone – Saints' ace
Brandi Schoessler has been pinpoint with her control ranking up 14 strikeouts to every one walk. The mark ranks fourth in the NCAA, and her 0.28 walks per game is fifth best in the NCAA.
Dangerous Bats 1 Through 9 – So far on the year, the Saints have proven to be able to do damage anywhere in their lineup. Entering the week, the Saints have five batters with a .300 average or better.
Saints' Softball Tabbed Sixth In GNAC Preseason Coaches' Poll - With Saint Martin's hosting the 2020 GNAC Softball Championships, the Saints aim to earn one of the four spots in the tournament. Entering the season, the Saints were voted sixth in the GNAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Western Oregon, who reached the NCAA West Regional Championship last season, was tabbed as the favorite, earning four first place votes, and 54 total points. Western Washington followed closely behind at 50 points, with one first place vote. Concordia, who garnered two first place votes, placed third with 48 points, while defending GNAC Champions Central Washington followed with 46 points, and one first place vote. Saint Martin's came in sixth with 18 points, followed by Montana State Billings at 17, and Simon Fraser at 15.
2020 Season Preview - Saint Martin's returns a core of All-Conference players, including outfielder
Emery Norwood, pitcher
Brandi Schoessler, and catcher
Devyn Connolly. Connolly returns behind the dish with a .318 batting average, along with one home run and 16 RBIs. Playing in 43 of the Saints' 47 games last season, Connolly collected 34 hits, with 11 doubles, and 14 runs scored.
Norwood's .337 batting average leads all returning Saints, along with her 13 stolen bases in 14 attempts. Norwood also leads with her 40 hits, and 23 runs scored. Also returning to the Saints' lineup will be sophomore
Kylee Vanderbout and senior
Nicki DeHan. Vanderbout comes off a .267 season, with one home run and 13 RBIs. DeHan posted a .260 average, with nine RBIs, and five extra base hits.
Inside the circle, Schoessler looks to build on her junior campaign of a 15-9 record with a 4.16 ERA in 33 games. The righty completed nine games, while totaling 139.2 innings, and punching out 72 batters.
Other notable returners for the Saints include infielders
Emily Thornton, and
Kylie Lopez, outfielder
Regan Byrd, catcher
Julia Lucas, and pitcher
Jessica O'Toole.
The Saints welcome in eight new players to the roster, including five position players, and three pitchers. In the infield will be
Destiny Conerly, and
Lauren Lunt, with outfielder
Megan Convery, and utility players
Delaney Sager and
Olivia Schmidt. Joining the staff will be
Abby Runyon,
Kylee Freese, and
Shaye Pinner.