By Van Wade
The Orange Leader

Playing perhaps the toughest non-conference schedule in the Southland Conference this season, the Stephen F. Austin softball team is 4-1 following an impressive opening weekend.

And the Ladyjacks received a lot of help from former Bridge City standout Kassidy Wilbur, as the freshman picked up all four wins on the hill. She was named the Southland Conference Player of the Week for her outstanding performance.

The Ladyjacks captured the Bulldog Kickoff Classic with a signature victory, a 1-0 road win over the Southeastern Conference’s 24th-ranked Mississippi State on Sunday afternoon at Nusz Park in Starkville. The triumph marks the first time SFA has defeated a nationally-ranked opponent since 2014 and the first Power Five victory for the Ladyjacks since March 4, 2017 (Maryland, 5-4).

Handing the Bulldogs (4-1) their first loss of 2019, SFA got a two-out RBI single from senior shortstop Emily Wolfe in the top of the second inning as right-hander Wilbur tossed a two-hit shutout in just her third career start.

“Great team win,” said SFA head coach Nicole Dickson said after the win. “We’re proud of our team and the direction our program is heading. It’s going to be a fun year with this team; they are truly selfless and very determined. They don’t care who is in the other dugout; they are going to be playing hard.”

“Hats off to Kassidy Wilbur,” continued Dickson. “Her fight and flawless execution was enough to shut down one of the best programs in the country.”

Wilbur went the distance against the Bulldogs, allowing just the two hits while striking out nine and walking four.

It was the highlight of many highlights for Wilbur throughout the tournament.

Wilbur helped shut down Valparaiso 6-2 in the season opener on Friday as she scattered five hits in the complete-game win while striking out 15 and walking just one. Both runs were unearned.
She also pitched a complete game in a 7-1 win over Middle Tennessee State as she scattered five hits with the run being unearned. She struck out six and walked two.

Wilbur also picked up a win in relief after the Ladyjacks to Middle Tennessee State again 2-1. She tossed a scoreless seventh frame, striking out two and the Ladyjacks got her a run in the bottom of the inning that gave her the win.

Wilbur was the MVP of the All-Orange Leader Softball Team the last four years and was the Leader Female Athlete of the Year after her junior and senior campaigns.