Despite several key holes to fill, Southeastern softball head coach Mackenzie Sher likes the mix of her new additions as well as core of returnees as the Savage Storm jump quickly into the 2025 season this week.
Southeastern enters the campaign pegged fifth in the preseason Great American Conference rankings and looking to build onto a 26-28 final record a year ago.
One thing for certain entering the season-opening D2 First Pitch Invitational in Houston is that the Savage Storm will once again have one of the deepest pitching staffs around.
Leading that group is sophomore returnee Emily Simmons, who garnered Honorable Mention All-GAC honors a year ago while posting a 9-8 record in her debut in which she tallied more than 125 innings in the circle. She struck out 100 and had an earned run average of 3.07 with 13 complete games.
Alyson Malone also returns after picking up 36 innings in 12 appearances a season ago, compiling a 6.74 ERA.
Joining the staff is Washburn University transfer Sheyenne Cheek, Texas high school lefty Trinity Oden as well as junior college transfers Bailey Kite and Charley Hampton, a local product originally from Silo. Cheek recorded a 1.11 ERA in 13 appearances last season with the big numbers popping out being a phenomenal 19-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio. Kite tossed 61-plus innings at powerhouse Grayson County College with a 9-0 record and 1.36 ERA before getting hurt.
“Emily is definitely a go-getter that’s going to work hard and lead