CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- App State softball will open the new season with a doubleheader at Queens on Saturday at 11 a.m.
The contest will be streamed live on Queens Athletics All-Access with live stats available to follow along.
THE SERIES
- This will be the first meeting between the two programs.
SCOUTING THE MOUNTAINEERS (0-0, 0-0 SBC)
- App State softball returns for its 23rd campaign after four consecutive winning seasons for the first time in program history.
- In 2022, head coach Shelly Hoerner led the Mountaineers to 10 Sun Belt wins for the second time in her tenure, and two players garnered all-conference nods for their excellent play. App State finished sixth in the SBC standings.
- Kayt Houston was named All-Sun Belt First Team and Mary Pierce Barnes was named to the second team. Houston also became the first player in program history to be named to an NFCA All-Region team.
- Both Houston and Barnes return to action this season, as the Black & Gold bring back seven starters. App State welcomes six freshmen newcomers and three transfers: Makena Fidler (Syracuse), Kapri Toone (Utah State) and Kaley Coltrain (Marist).
SCOUTING THE ROYALS (0-0, 0-0 ASUN)
- Queens finished 28-21 last year after winning only eight games the year prior.
- The Royals return three 2022 all-conference players - Jordan Dunn, Kayla Smith and Jordyn Thompson.
- Queens moved up to the ASUN conference over the offseason, previously competing in the South Atlantic Conference.
- The squad recorded a 12-8 record at home last season under head coach Stacey Schramm, who will begin her eighth season at Queens on Saturday.
UP NEXT
Next weekend, the Mountaineers will play in the Pinnacle PC Invitational with matchups against IUPUI, Seton Hall and Presbyterian. Their first home game will be on Mar. 8 against North Carolina.
