Due West, S.C. – With Head Coach Alleen Hawkins being originally from Maryland, it comes as no surprise that her team resembles that of the great Baltimore Orioles teams of her youth led by the late Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver:  great pitching, defense, and wait for the 3-run home run.

The Flying Fleet return 13 players, including all eight starters, from last year’s squad that finished 4^th in Conference Carolinas at 14-8 and 22-23 overall. 

More importantly, the Fleet return two 3-time all-conference pitchers in Heather Richey (Abbeville, SC, Abbeville High School)and Kelsey Spurrier (Charlotte, NC, Butler High School).  Both ladies have ranked in the Top 5 in every pertinent pitching category the last three years, giving the Fleet a one-two punch in the circle currently unmatched within Conference Carolinas. 

Coach Hawkins has two other quality arms in the bullpen.  Junior pitcher Katherine Mulzer (Donalds, SC, Dixie High School) has pitched well when given the opportunity.  Freshman Kaylin White (Columbia, SC, White Knoll High School) joins the staff this year.  The tall, lanky freshman from White Knoll High School in Columbia, South Carolina, throws hard and gives Coach Hawkins a second option behind her two seniors.

Offensively, Erskine returns four all-conference players, including all-everything Larissa Shannon (Newberry, SC, Newberry High School).  Last season the Newberry High School product pounded out 17 home runs with a .390 batting average (For stat-heads, she had a 1.441 OPS) and led the conference in almost every offensive statistical category in route to Conference Carolinas Player of the Year and All-Region honors.  Senior Morgan Purcell (Duncan, SC, Byrnes High School) will again patrol centerfield and provide protection to Shannon in the batting order.  Purcell was flawless in the field last year, recording 64 putouts and 4 assists, while hitting .299 with 5 home runs.  She was second on the team in runs batted in (26).  Junior Ashlyn Hicks (Caycee, SC, Brookland-Cayce High School) was the Fleet’s second leading hitter with a .303 batting average and will split the catching duties with Shannon again this year.  Sophomore Ericka McCarson (Travelers Rest, SC, Travelers Rest High School), last year’s conference Freshman of the Year, showed off her power stroke, smashing 7 long balls including one in her first collegiate at-bat from the lead-off position, while playing superb defense at third base.  She will need to improve her on-base percentage to move into the elite player ranks.

Also returning for the Fleet are starters Whitney Brown, Colleen Gardner, Bailey Thornton, Jordan Suther and Lindsay Waters.  When Brown (West Columbia, SC, Airport High School) arrived two years ago, she was the classic “great glove, no stick” shortstop.  But Brown showed considerable improvement over her freshman campaign, upping her batting average from .250 to .275 while improving both her on-base and slugging percentages.  Senior Colleen Gardner (Matthews, NC, Butler High School) has been a steady presence at first base the last three years, playing solid defense and a knack for the key hit.  Senior Bailey Thornton (Pauline, SC, Dorman High School) is a tremendous athlete having played three different positions in her career:  third base, second base and right field.  She is also a starter on the Erskine Volleyball team.  Last year Thornton crushed 6 home runs and hit .255.  Jordan Suther (Loganville, GA, South Gwinnett High School) is an above average fielder and can play multiple positions but has struggled to adjust to the college-game at the plate.  She will play a key role defensively for the Fleet.  SophomoreLindsay Waters (Simpsonville, SC, James L. Mann High School) is a speedy outfielder, but like Suther, has struggled to produce at the plate in her freshmen year.  If Waters can transform herself at plate like Brown did, her speed will make her a tremendous asset to the Fleet who had more home runs than stolen bases and finished 8^th in stolen bases in the conference.

In addition to White, Coach Hawkins recruited two freshmen position players.  Christine Long (Greer, SC, Greer High School)possesses a great hitter’s eye and can hit for power.  Her much-needed bat will find a place in the lineup so look for Coach Hawkins to use a variety of lineups.  Outfielder Katelyn Oxner (Clinton, SC, Clinton High School) will give Coach Hawkins another option off the bench.

In the recent Conference Carolinas Preseason Coaches’ Poll, Erskine did receive one first place and was voted to finish 4^th behind North Greenville, Mt. Olive College and King College.

Erskine starts their season playing their first three opponents at home.  The Fleet open their 2013 campaign against Wingate University on Tuesday, February 5^th.  Their conference opener is set for Saturday, February 23^rd, against the Crusaders of Belmont Abbey College.

Roster

Schedule