SVU Spring Sports Preview
By Jon Stauffer
Spring sports are in full swing at Southern Virginia University. Read below for previews on Softball, Baseball and Men’s lacrosse.
Softball
The 2023 Knights softball team had an overall record of 20–20, holding a 6–12 record in conference. The team started out the season strong with a 5–1 record. Towards the end of the season the Knights softball team endured many injuries which led to a loss in momentum. However, the team held exceptionally well in conference statistics. They finished second in the conference with a .313 batting average, and with 19 home runs they had the most in the conference. Although finishing with a 3.64 ERA, allowing less than 4 runs on average is very successful on the pitching side of the game. Malia Davis (’26, Bio Chem), explained that Head Coach Pendleton has brought in 7 new players in hopes to limit the amount of injuries the team will see throughout the spring season. The 2024 Knights Softball team will open their season at home on Tuesday, February 27th at 2:00pm against Sweet Briar.
Baseball
Coming off of a 13–24 season, the Knights baseball team is looking to have a bounce back season where they hope to clinch the teams first playoff birth since 2018. The coaching staff has added many new players to the team to increase the performance in hopes that the 2024 starting 9 players will contribute to winning more games. The Knights open their season on February 14th in their home park at Perry McClure Highschool against MACU (Mid-Atlantic Christian University).
One of the teams highlighted weaknesses from last season was the teams pitching. The 2023 pitching staff held together a 8.22 ERA (7th out of 8 in conference) while giving up 28 home runs which is the second most in the conference. This season Coach Schlegelmilch has brought in over 5 pitchers from the transfer portal in order to round out the pitching staff. Last season the Knights were outstanding at the plate holding together a .298 batting average paired with 29 home runs as a team which were both ranked third best in the conference. For the 2024 seasons to be a breakout season, the Knights baseball team needs to further dominate with pitching and hit the same as they did last year.
Men’s Lacrosse
The 2023 Men’s Lacrosse team had a 9–8 record overall, but held an impressive 7–1 record in conference in a 3 way tie for first place with colleges Piedmont and Pfieffer. After fighting short-handed during the playoffs, the Knights made it to the conference championship game. The game ended in a close score of 12–9. The outcome of the game did not go the way the Knights wish it had, but after a long season filled with injuries, they definitely met standards for what they had been projected to do this season. Richie Johnson (’24, business), a 4th year player explained that the team will go into the 2024 season remembering how it felt to lose in that game as a way to fuel their competitiveness for this year’s season. Head Coach, Jason Lamb, has brought in over 10 new players to help the teams numbers in hopes to eliminate the injuries that the team will see this year.
Lots of SVU’s sports teams will have their season opener in the next upcoming weeks, which teams will you go out and support?
