Senior outfielder Maddie Edmonston celebrates after stealing a base against Alcorn State University. Sarah Hess/The Lion's Roar

The Lady Lions softball team secured series victories against Alcorn State University and Nicholls State University last week. 

The Alcorn State games were both at North Oak Park on March 20.

Head Coach Rick Fremin described the strategy going into the games.

“Strategy was to be aggressive, take care of the ball both offensively and defensively,” said Fremin. “And I think that we did a great job of continuing to score runs and manufacture runs just as we’ve done recently throughout our recent conference series against Corpus Christi.”

The first game began at 3 p.m. and the Lady Lions won with a score of 9-1. 

“First game was really good,” said Fremin. “As far as you know, us trying to do the best that we could. Offensively we mixed in some short game. We were aggressive on the base paths, and it allowed us to take care of business.” 

Fremin discussed how the first game’s conditions affected their play. 

“In game one, we had a lot of wind,” said Fremin. “So, the players need to overcome conditions, and they know that. Then in game two, of course, we moved the defense around a little bit and allowed some people to get some touches defensively and just on a cold night, maybe not them being ready to go. But our pitchers did what we needed to, by rolling a ground ball. We just need to continue to execute defensively and take care of the ball, and so we’ll work on that.”

The second game was touch-and-go, but the Lady Lions pulled out a win of 10-5. Fremin decided to use this game as an opportunity for some of the younger pitchers to experience throwing in games. 

“We tried to put a lot of pitchers on the circle as well tonight. Let them get a few touches in innings here and there,” said Fremin. “And you know I feel pretty good about moving forward into the three-game series with Nicholls.” 

With the team’s fine-tuning of pitchers, senior pitcher Lacey Hill described her goals. 

“I want to work on my walks, just get those down, and then I think everything should be OK after that,” said Hill. 

After the series victory over Nicholls, the Lady Lions are placed fourth in the conference with 6-3 conference record.

Fremin explained how any time the team has a multiple games series, they like to start off strong. 

“You want to set your tone offensively early,” said Fremin. “And they actually did that, and then we went ahead and responded with four runs, which was great. Give our pitchers a little bit of cushion. But then, of course, they put up a three-spot in the fifth, and then we respond once again. So, we were playing catchup a little bit in game two whereas in game one, we were setting the tone and being aggressive.”

While it is good to start off strong, the team would rather be secure throughout the entire game. 

“We would rather be ahead than playing catchup,” said Fremin. “But we did what we had to do to get the win, and we always want a lead going into the last inning. So, that way one swing at bat doesn’t change the game. They accomplish that goal by having a five-run lead going into the last minute of the game. So, I’m pleased. For the most part, we just got to get everybody healthy going into the three-game series and just give it our best shot.”