Wednesday’s SEC Softball Schedule

The 2020 softball season is into its third week. Let’s take a glance at what lies ahead for the teams of the SEC on Wednesday.

(All times Eastern)

• NC Central vs. South Carolina (5-3) — 3 p.m., SEC Network+: South Carolina didn’t have the greatest weekend, losing to Texas Tech, Virginia Tech and Washington. The Gamecocks will be back in action though on Wednesday against NC Central. They will hope to get their pitching back intact as they allowed 18 runs in the four games played over the weekend. Two players to watch for will be Kenzi Maguire and Madison Owens, who each have hit .400 on the season so far.
• Samford vs. Georgia (8-3) — 5:30 p.m., SEC Network+: Georgia had been undefeated before running into Texas Tech, UCLA and USF over the weekend. The Red Raiders, Bruins and Bulls handed UGA three straight defeats, and now they’ll be hoping to get back on the right track. The Dawgs will welcome Samford to Turner Softball Stadium in Athens on Wednesday. Jordan Doggett and Jaiden Fields are hoping to keep their hot starts up, as each have hit .500 on the season. Ciara Bryan has been mashing the ball meanwhile, as she already has six home runs in the team’s first 11 games.
• Jacksonville vs. Florida (11-1) — 6 p.m., SEC Network+: Florida’s loss to Michigan on February 8 is a thing of the past now, as the Gators have ripped off nine wins in a row heading into play on Wednesday. Granted the schedule hasn’t been tough, but wins are wins, and they’re looking very impressive. The Gators are looking to make it 10 wins in a row as they face Jacksonville in Gainesville. Charia Echols has gotten off to a hot start at the plate, and pitching has been awesome for UF. Natalie Lugo and Rylee Trlicek have combined to allowed a combined 11 runs in 49.1 innings of work.
• Kentucky (7-2) vs. Middle Tennessee — 6 p.m.: Kentucky went 3-2 in their weekend series, picking up wins over Boise State, Illinois State and Detroit-Mercy while dropping two games to Arizona State. The Wildcats, 7-2 on the year, will face off with Middle Tennessee on Wednesday as they hope to make it two wins in a row after their W over Detroit on Sunday. The Wildcats have been led by veterans Alex Martens and Bailey Vick, each clubbing a .444 average. Martens is tied for the lead in homers with four with Mallory Peyton, as they own two-thirds of the home runs that the ‘Cats have. Meghan Schorman has been dynamite so far, allowing a 0.57 ERA in 12.1 innings pitched.
• Louisiana Tech vs. LSU (8-1) — 7 p.m., SEC Network+: LSU may have lost to Louisiana on Saturday, but they avenged that defeat on Sunday to improve to 8-1. Now, the Tigers will play Louisiana Tech on Wednesday as they look to keep their winning ways going. Taylor Pleasants has gotten off to a rip-roaring start, as she’s hit .522 over the team’s first nine games of the year. Raeleen Gutierrez has hit .500 on the season, as the team has gotten off to this great start without even their best players contributing at the dish. Ali Kilponen has been lights out on the mound, having not allowed a single run through 13.2 innings. Shelby Wickersham is the same way, as she’s allowed no runs through 11 innings, while Shelbi Sunseri has let up just two earned runs in 16.1 innings.
• Mississippi Valley State vs. Ole Miss (1-8) — 7 p.m.: Ole Miss has been going through it lately, as the Rebels are off to a porous 1-8 start. Their lone win came against Colorado State on Thursday, and now they’ll hope to get an elusive second win when they play Mississippi Valley State. Part of the reason for their sluggishness this season has been their lack of offense. Autumn Gillespie is the team leader in BA with a mark of just .286 through the first nine games. No one the team is hitting north of .300, not even anyone on the bench. The pitching has been fine, but could stand to be better. Hopefully, the Rebels pilot the ship and get back on track before things get really out of hand for them.