EAST LANSING— It’s a new season for Michigan State softball as they look to start the season off on a high note in the Candrea Classic in Tucson, Arizona.
After a Thursday doubleheader against the No. 16 Arizona Wildcats, the Spartans will take on the No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide in the first of two games on Friday. The Spartans, led by third-year head coach Sharonda McDonald-Kelley, look to start off the season with key wins against ranked opponents and prove themselves.
MSU comes into this season off a season that saw them finish 21-30 overall and 7-16 in conference play. The Spartans finished second from the bottom in the Big Ten, and look to bounce back this season.
Junior third baseman Hannah Hawley led the Spartans last season with a .349 batting average, while junior first baseman Britain Beshears led the team in home runs with 15, good for fifth in the conference. Beshears also led the Spartans in runs batted in with 40. Hawley had the most total runs on the team with 31 and also led with 52 hits. Hawley and Beshears will look to pick up where they left off this season.
Liv Grey led the Spartans with a 2.41 ERA on the mound in her final season as a Spartan, while also adding eight complete games. Grey led the team with 168 strikeouts, finishing sixth in the Big Ten. Grey also had 13 wins on the season, good for tenth in the conference.
The Spartans will need to fill the void that has been left by Grey’s departure, but the team has three freshman pitchers Ella Cunningham, Jacey Schuler and Carsyn Cassady who need to prove themselves.
Senior Madison Taylor also needs to continue her strong form. She finished last season with a 3.90 ERA and 64 strikeouts. Taylor finished the season strong last year and should be able to pick up where she left off in her senior season.
The Crimson Tide come into this season with lofty expectations, as they slot in at No. 11 to start the season. The Tide finished 39-20 last year, but were only 10-14 in conference play, finishing 9th in the SEC. Alabama is ready for a new season with plenty to be excited about.
The Crimson Tide were led by sophomore infielder Kenleigh Cahalan with a .296 batting average last season. Cahalan also led Alabama with 55 hits. She also tied for the team lead in RBI with 30, tying with sophomore infielder Abby Duchscherer. Sophomore utility player Maggie Giles led the team in home runs last year with seven.
The Tide were led on the mound by graduate student Kayla Beaver, who was the ace of the Alabama pitching staff in her senior season. Beaver led all qualified pitchers in ERA with an impressive 1.68 ERA. Beaver also led the Tide in strikeouts with 185, wins with 19, saves with five and also added 15 complete games.
The first pitch is set for 2 p.m. on Friday at Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium and the game will be streamed on FloSoftball.
