Lady Statesmen Wrap Up Fall Season with a 17-3 Win over Mississippi Valley State University

The Delta State Women’s Softball team is full of great potential. They are getting ready for the upcoming season in the spring. Before spring time gets here, though, they are taking advantage of some fall ball. This past Friday, Oct. 21, the Lady Statesmen faced Mississippi Valley State University in exhibition play and took the victory 17-3.

Amber Adcock, a graduate student and assistant coach for the Lady Statesmen, had some exciting things to say about upcoming events in the softball program:

What have you guys been doing to get ready for the upcoming season?

Coach Adcock: “We have been lifting to build muscle while doing individual practices so that the girls can learn the way we want things done in every position that they play. We played five fall games against different teams including Meridian Community College, Ole Miss, Northeast Community College (double header), and Mississippi Valley.”

What is a typical practice day like?

Coach Adcock: “A typical practice day would be having a defensive period where you do 20-25 minutes’ worth of outfield drills and infield drills. Once that is over, they do about 15 minutes of team defense. When they are through with defense, we then have our hitting period by splitting up into three groups and rotating through each station.”

What are your expectations going into the season? 

Coach Adcock: “I’m expecting us to be a very strong team this year. Our defense needs to stay solid to have a successful year. Our offense needs to stay upbeat and not be a roller coaster, and our pitching needs to stay as good as it can be. I believe we have a team that can make it to the Gulf South Conference tournament this year and maybe even to Championship Sunday.”

How do you think Friday’s game went? 

Coach Adcock: “I think Friday’s game couldn’t have gone any better than what it did. Having solid defense, incredible hits at the plate, and our pitchers doing their job is what we like to see in a well-rounded team. I don’t see what else we could have done to make that game better. We just need to keep working hard like we are doing to be a successful team.”

After Friday’s game, what would you say is the team’s main focus of improvement? 

Coach Adcock: “I think we could improve on communication a little better through the whole playing field, and making sure they are paying attention to the signs that Coach Charles is giving them from the dugout. We also need to keep improving our at bats from Friday night. I feel like they could be better.”

What would you say the strengths of the team are?

Coach Adcock: “The strengths of the team would have to be our defensive plays and pitching. Hitting is right up there with defense and pitching, but we just need to keep working hard with our hitting and fixing a few things so we can lead the conference in team batting average. That’s a goal I’m hoping we achieve this year.”

Needless to say the girl are anticipating the big season ahead while working hard towards the goals they’ve set. The fall exhibition matches have been a good start toward the spring season. Finishing up on Friday with a win, the girls are looking forward to spring play.

Their schedule is online, at gostatesmen.com. Be sure to make plans to catch a few of the games. It will be well worth your time. GO LADY STATESMEN!