Softball opens season Tuesday
WEST POINT, Ga. (Feb. 6, 2022) – After one of the most successful seasons in Point University softball program history in 2021, the Skyhawks are geared up and ready for the 2022 season which begins Tuesday with a doubleheader against Middle Georgia State.
Head coach Jennifer Tyler is entering her 11th season as head coach and shared some insight into how her team has been doing preseason and what the upcoming season brings.
"We had a great fall season and saw a lot of potential throughout the roster," she said. "We have a lot of experience and are heavy in upperclassmen which will hopefully show on the field. The girls have put in the work, so we should go into every game with a winning mindset. As long as we play for each other and not individually, then we will have the potential to do some damage in conference. We returned everyone from the fall season and have everyone eligible and healthy to start the spring. I am proud of this group of girls and am looking forward to watching them come together and prove themselves. They have worked hard and have the want to get better every day."
A look at the 2022 schedule
After Point opens the season against Middle Georgia State, the Skyhawks will compete in five more nonconference doubleheaders before turning their attention to Appalachian Athletic Conference play on Friday, Feb. 25. After Middle Georgia State, Point will host Stillman (Feb. 9), Brewton-Parker (Feb. 12), Clark Atlanta (Feb. 16), and then travel to Stillman (Feb. 18) and Middle Georgia State (Feb. 22). The matchup at Middle Georgia State will be the final date on the schedule prior to AAC play.
Last season, Point finished 27-11 and 18-8 in AAC play, and Tyler said her goal this season is to eliminate the losses that should have been wins.
"I want to eliminate those losses, and the girls will be shocked at the difference that will make in the rankings," Tyler said. "I would like to see more power numbers throughout the lineup this season. With a couple of the returners and some of the transfers, we should score more runs overall. We have added some more speed, so taking that extra base on a single will help in the long run."
Tyler said the conference continues to get more competitive and that any team can win on a given day.
"This is a tough conference from top to bottom," she said. "Whoever shows up to play is who will be walking away with a win. We always look forward to playing the top teams (Milligan, Truett, Reinhardt, Brenau, Tennessee Wesleyan). Those are usually competitive and fun to watch."
Tyler's 2022 team
Tyler's 2022 roster features 12 returners and 11 newcomers. Senior outfielder Alexus Griffin had a solid campaign in 2021 and finished the regular season by earning a spot on the All-AAC second team. Griffin led the Skyhawks with a 0.406 batting average, averaging 1.4 hits per game and recorded 43 hits. She started and played in 31 games for Point and only committed one error in left field, as she finished the season with a 0.988 fielding percentage.
Point will return their next two power hitters in Meagan Pildner and Taylor Knight from last season. Pildner was behind Griffin with a 0.360 batting average and recorded 40 hits in 34 games. Last season, Pildner connected for two grand slams for walk-off victories against AAC opponents. Knight followed Pildner with a 0.323 batting average in 32 games played. She finished with a team-high 32 RBI's and six home runs. Knight's efforts in the AAC tournament earned her a spot on the AAC all-tournament team. The Skyhawks will also be returning senior catcher Chelsea Parker. Parker made 36 appearances behind the plate last year and in 218 chances, she had 207 putouts.
Tyler said newcomers she expects to make an immediate impact include junior outfield transfer Haley Lyner from Southern Union and Mary Burnham and Asia Jones, who are transferring from Wallace Dothan.
Tyler elaborated that for the team to be successful, they have to play as a family.
"Play for that person you are competing against for that starting spot and it will only make you and them better. Each game is a new slate and a new focus."