Wednesday, March 13
JACKSONVILLE
4 p.m.
Jacksonville State University
vs
Kennesaw State
University Field To Host First Game Since Tornado On Wednesday
3/12/2019 9:35:00 PM | Softball
JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville State softball team will play at University Field for the first time in over a year on Wednesday, when the Gamecocks host Kennesaw State in a 4 p.m. doubleheader that will be broadcast on ESPN+.
The Gamecocks (11-6) last played in their home park on March 7 of last year. Just over a week after that 4-2 win over Fort Wayne, an EF-3 Tornado ripped through Jacksonville and JSU's campus. Packing winds of over 150 mph, the storm damaged most of the buildings on campus, including University Field.
Almost one year after the storm, construction on the facility has reached a point that will allow JSU to play its first home game of the year after its first four home contests were played at Oxford's Choccolocco Park, also the site of the team's last 12 home games of 2018.
The storm damage resulted in the Gamecocks getting a new AstroTurf playing surface, an artificial playing surface that includes all areas of the field and new bullpens for both the Gamecocks and their visitors. Also new are the backstop and netting, as well as a new LED lighting system from Musco.
The outfield fence is also new and is 10 feet high down the lines before dropping to a six-foot height in the power alleys and in center field. Padding will be installed on parts of the outfield wall in the coming weeks. New batting cages were constructed in right field after the storm demolished the old covered structure.
The outfield area where fans have sat in past years isn't complete and won't be accessible for fans this week, but all areas of the grandstand and seating areas are available.
The first game back in what has been the home of the Gamecock softball team since 1996 will be against a foe that JSU has seen recently. Kennesaw State saw its 2018 season ended by the Gamecocks in dramatic fashion in the 2018 NCAA Tallahassee Regional. The Gamecocks beat the Owls in 10 innings in an elimination game in the regional, a game that saw Faith Sims hold them to three runs on five hits in 10 innings of work.
Sims has been the Gamecocks ace in the circle so far in 2019. The senior from Cordova, Ala., is off to a 7-1 start and boasts a 2.21 earned run average. Her 52 strikeouts in 57 innings also lead the team.
At the plate, senior center fielder Taylor Beshears leads the way with a .439 batting average and team highs with eight home runs and 22 RBI. The Trussville, Ala., native is slugging .930, ranking her 18th in the nation. She is 11th nationally in home runs per game.
Tickets for all of JSU's home games can be purchased online at www.JSUGamecockSports.com/Ticketsor at the University Field gate on game day. JSU students and fans ages 18 and under receive free admission to JSU's home softball games. All of the Gamecocks' home games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
The Gamecocks (11-6) last played in their home park on March 7 of last year. Just over a week after that 4-2 win over Fort Wayne, an EF-3 Tornado ripped through Jacksonville and JSU's campus. Packing winds of over 150 mph, the storm damaged most of the buildings on campus, including University Field.
Almost one year after the storm, construction on the facility has reached a point that will allow JSU to play its first home game of the year after its first four home contests were played at Oxford's Choccolocco Park, also the site of the team's last 12 home games of 2018.
The storm damage resulted in the Gamecocks getting a new AstroTurf playing surface, an artificial playing surface that includes all areas of the field and new bullpens for both the Gamecocks and their visitors. Also new are the backstop and netting, as well as a new LED lighting system from Musco.
The outfield fence is also new and is 10 feet high down the lines before dropping to a six-foot height in the power alleys and in center field. Padding will be installed on parts of the outfield wall in the coming weeks. New batting cages were constructed in right field after the storm demolished the old covered structure.
The outfield area where fans have sat in past years isn't complete and won't be accessible for fans this week, but all areas of the grandstand and seating areas are available.
The first game back in what has been the home of the Gamecock softball team since 1996 will be against a foe that JSU has seen recently. Kennesaw State saw its 2018 season ended by the Gamecocks in dramatic fashion in the 2018 NCAA Tallahassee Regional. The Gamecocks beat the Owls in 10 innings in an elimination game in the regional, a game that saw Faith Sims hold them to three runs on five hits in 10 innings of work.
Sims has been the Gamecocks ace in the circle so far in 2019. The senior from Cordova, Ala., is off to a 7-1 start and boasts a 2.21 earned run average. Her 52 strikeouts in 57 innings also lead the team.
At the plate, senior center fielder Taylor Beshears leads the way with a .439 batting average and team highs with eight home runs and 22 RBI. The Trussville, Ala., native is slugging .930, ranking her 18th in the nation. She is 11th nationally in home runs per game.
Tickets for all of JSU's home games can be purchased online at www.JSUGamecockSports.com/Ticketsor at the University Field gate on game day. JSU students and fans ages 18 and under receive free admission to JSU's home softball games. All of the Gamecocks' home games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
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