#SB Opens 2014 Season at Troy Subway Invitational

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TROY, Ala. – The 2014 season for University of North Florida softball begins this weekend at the three-day Troy Subway Invitational held Feb. 7-9 at the Troy Softball Complex and Troy Sportsplex. The Ospreys face Northwestern State twice and No. 6 Alabama, Middle Tennessee and Memphis during season-opening weekend.

"We've been waiting for this weekend and it is finally here," said head coach Marcie Hickey. "Last year was a great season and really showed what we are capable of. With most of that team back, it is a huge boost in our confidence. This weekend will be a great way to test us and I expect all five game to be extremely competitive."

UNF returns much of its team from a year ago that captured the 2013 Atlantic Sun Regular Season title, posted a 42-15 record and advanced to its first A-Sun Tournament. Defensively, the Ospreys bring back its entire starting infield (Abby Tewey, Kelly Wilson, Ashley Holton, Marissa Thomas) and pitching staff (Kayla Goff, Cortney Radke, Kaylie Wallace) and two outfielders (Danica Mandarano and Lexi Taylor). Offensively, the top five batters from a year ago all return in Mandarano (.345 batting average, 57 hits, 35 runs scored), Wilson (.318 batting average, 57 hits, 30 runs, 15 doubles, 15 stolen bases), Thomas (.287, 43 hits, two home runs), Mariah Reynolds (.277 batting average, .568 slugging average, 11 home runs, one grand slam, 36 RBI) and Holton (.272 batting average, 44 hits, 25 runs, four home runs, 27 RBI).

Wallace has already earned preseason recognition following an outstanding sophomore campaign in 2013. Wallace, the reigning A-Sun Pitcher of the Year, was selected as this season's Preseason Pitcher of the Year by the A-Sun's coaches and in the Facebook Fan Poll.

This is the fourth time the Ospreys have travel to Troy for an early season tournament. UNF is 9-4 when competing in a tournament hosted by Troy and has won three games in its previous three trips.

Northwestern State won its fourth-straight Southland Conference Tournament title in 2013 to earn a berth in last season's NCAA Tournament. The Lady Demons also return their entire infield – Brianna Rodriguez, Brittany Virgoe, Tara McKenney and Cali Burke – and the quartet was selected for Preseason All-Southland honors. McKenney, Rodriguez and Virgoe had the top three batting averages from a year ago with McKenney hitting a team-best .363 with 70 hits and 41 runs scored.

Friday's game, which is the season opener for both UNF and Northwestern State, is the first meeting between the Ospreys and Lady Demons.

Alabama begins the 2014 season ranked No. 6 in both the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll and the ESPN.com/USA Softball Poll. The Crimson Tide made their 15th-straight NCAA Tournament appearance in 2013 with their season coming to an end in the Knoxville Super Regional to eventual national runner-up Tennessee. Alabama returns eight position starters and two pitchers from a year ago. Among those back for the Crimson Tide are 2013 All-America selections Kaila Hunt, Jackie Trania and Haylie McCleney. The trio are also on the the Top 50 Watch List for 2014 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.

Friday's game will be the first meeting between UNF and Alabama in program history.

Middle Tennessee begins the Troy Subway Invitational with games against Kennesaw State and Memphis before facing UNF. The Blue Raiders bring back seven position starters and three pitchers from last season. Among those returning is 2013 Second-Team All-Sun Belt centerfielder Nina Dever, who hit .257 with 39 hits and 20 runs. The Blue Raiders also get back Laura Dukes, who led the team in batting (.281) and home runs (7).

UNF holds a 1-0 lead in the all-time series with Middle Tennessee, claiming a 7-5 win on Mar. 4, 2006 at the Frost Classic in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Part of the newly formed American Athletic Conference, Memphis was picked to finish tied for sixth in the first-ever AAC Preseason Coaches Poll. Memphis, who was part of Conference USA last season, returns seven starters from 2013. The Tigers graduated their only batters that hit over .300 last season in Lelani Bernardino and Morgan Mosby. However, Memphis returns pitcher Ellen Roberts, who posted a 3.12 ERA in 240.0 innings as a junior.

Memphis has a 2-1 lead in the all-time series. The Tigers had a 3-0 win at the Combat Classic in Miami, Fla., on Feb. 11, 2011 in the last meeting.

UNF opens the Troy Subway Invitational against Northwestern State at 1 p.m., EST/Noon CST at the Troy Softball Complex. For a complete schedule of the weekend's tournament, click here.

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#SB Opens 2014 Season at Troy Subway Invitational

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