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SIUE Softball (2/10)
Howard Ash
SIUE Softball

Softball Eric Hess, SIUE Athletic Communications

Cougars Open Season at Trojan Classic

Trojan Classic
Fri., Feb. 10-Sun., Feb. 12
Troy, Ala.

Radio: None
Live Video: ESPN3
Live Audio: None
Live Stats: SIUEStats.com

START OF AN ERA: Game one of the 2023 season is also game one in the head coaching career for Ben Sorden. After spending nearly the last decade as an assistant coach in the Big Ten Conference, Sorden was tapped as the new leader of the SIUE softball program. Sorden comes to SIUE after holding positions at Michigan State and Indiana, helping the pitching staffs to national honors and top-notch results. The Lone Tree, Iowa, native most recently spent five seasons at Michigan State, where the Spartans sported a 2.38 earned run average and a 1.11 WHIP over 350 innings of play.
WE'RE BACK: SIUE's 2023 roster includes the top three hitters from last season. Lexi King, who plays outfield and also pitches, led the Cougars last season with a .380 batting average. Lauryn Yslava made 49 starts her freshman season and batted .317. Grace Lueke battled injuries during the season and batted a strong .305.
OVC PLAYER TO WATCH: Yslava was named the OVC Player to Watch for the Cougars. She hit nine home runs in her first season, which is the most in season by an SIUE freshman.
THAT'S A HIT: King collected 68 hits last season, the second most by a Cougar player in the Division I era. Haley Chambers-Book had 69 during the 2015 season. King was named first team All-OVC as a utility player.
THAT'S OUT OF HERE: Lueke planted 12 softballs over the fence last season. That is the most by a Cougar player in the Division I era and tied for second all-time. The previous top home run hitter in the Division I era was Alex McDavid with 10 in 2013.
THE PITCHING STAFF: SIUE returns three of the four pitchers from last season's 19-35 team. Kelsey Ray led the Cougars last season with a 4.16 earned run average. King was second with a 4.27 ERA, including two shutouts. Sydney Baalman had a team-leading four complete games last season and tied Ray with 72 1/3 innings pitched. 
THE NEWCOMERS: The Cougars welcome six new players for the 2023 roster. They include freshman infielder Macy Mikulich (Lewiston, Illinois), sophomore transfer infielder Paige Rocha (Platte City, Missouri), freshman pitcher Rylie Pindel (Las Vegas, Nevada), junior transfer infielder Kate Crombar (Carbondale, Illinois), senior transfer outfielder Madisyn Webster (Pontiac, Illinois), and junior transfer outfielder Hayley Palm (Aviston, Illinois).
MORE COACHING STAFF: Coach Sorden retained Giorgiana Zeremenko from last season's coaching staff. He also added Courtney Gentile as an assistant coach. She previously was a pitching and assistant hitting coach at Eastern Michigan from 2013 to 2017.
NEW LOOK OVC: SIUE welcomes two new members to the OVC for the 2023 season. Lindenwood and Southern Indiana are competing at the Division I level for the first time this season.
2022 CATEGORY LEADERS: King led the Cougars in batting average (.380), runs scored (38), hits (68), doubles (13), triples (1), total bases (95), stolen bases (13) and at bats (179). Lueke led the Cougars in slugging percentage (.610), runs batted in (38), home runs (12) and walks (25).
 
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Players Mentioned

Sydney Baalman

#12 Sydney Baalman

P
5' 9"
Junior
Lexi King

#2 Lexi King

P/OF
5' 10"
Redshirt Junior
Grace Lueke

#99 Grace Lueke

INF
5' 8"
Junior
Kelsey Ray

#6 Kelsey Ray

P
5' 6"
Junior
Lauryn Yslava

#9 Lauryn Yslava

OF
5' 7"
Sophomore
Paige Rocha

#8 Paige Rocha

INF
5' 3"
Sophomore
Kate Crombar

#13 Kate Crombar

INF
5' 7"
Junior
Hayley Palm

#23 Hayley Palm

OF
5' 3"
Junior
Rylie Pindel

#11 Rylie Pindel

P
6' 2"
Freshman
Madisyn Webster

#21 Madisyn Webster

OF
5' 3"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Sydney Baalman

#12 Sydney Baalman

5' 9"
Junior
P
Lexi King

#2 Lexi King

5' 10"
Redshirt Junior
P/OF
Grace Lueke

#99 Grace Lueke

5' 8"
Junior
INF
Kelsey Ray

#6 Kelsey Ray

5' 6"
Junior
P
Lauryn Yslava

#9 Lauryn Yslava

5' 7"
Sophomore
OF
Paige Rocha

#8 Paige Rocha

5' 3"
Sophomore
INF
Kate Crombar

#13 Kate Crombar

5' 7"
Junior
INF
Hayley Palm

#23 Hayley Palm

5' 3"
Junior
OF
Rylie Pindel

#11 Rylie Pindel

6' 2"
Freshman
P
Madisyn Webster

#21 Madisyn Webster

5' 3"
Senior
OF