CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University's softball team opens its 38th overall season, 10 a.m., Sunday morning at Cathi Maynard Park-Cheryl Holt Field, with its first day of full fall team practices, as it prepares for its maximum slate of eight games as well as the beginning of its first season as a member of the ASUN Conference. 

The opening day of full team practice comes after a couple of weeks of individual skill drills. 

"We always enjoy the first couple weeks back on campus and giving the athletes a chance to ease back into the swing of things and the coaches a chance to truly breakdown our skills and expectations for Austin Peay softball," head coach Kassie Stanfill said.  "With that being said though, team practice brings a different type of energy to Cathi Maynard Park. Our goal is to stay consistent with the energy and focus to ensure we utilize our fall season." 

In her fifth season at the helm, Stanfill's squad features 15 returning players, who were a part of a 30-win season in 2022, led by the 2022 Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year, third baseman Lexi Osowski, as well as two Second Team All-OVC selections in pitcher Jordan Benefiel and designated player Kylie Campbell. 

Other returning starters from the 2022 squad are, catcher Mea Clark, first baseman Emily Harkleroad, second baseman Morgan Zuege, and outfielders Kendyl Weinzapfel and Megan Hodum. 

Other letter winners returning include Morgan McMahon (OF), Riley Suits (C), Alyssa Archuleta (IF), Maddie Boykin (IF), Raylon Roach (OF), Samantha Miener (P) and Skylar Sheridan (IF). 

Joining them are 10 new players to the APSU roster for 2022-23, including four college transfers (Gabi Apiag/Volunteer State-Alabama Birmingham, Jaya Herring/Middle Tennessee, Ashley Martin/Michigan State, Macee Roberts/Miami University), and six true freshmen (Charley Pursley/Benton, Kentucky(OF), Ashley Dulaney/Telford, Tennessee (C/IF), Jacklyn Zuege, Louisville, Kentucky (IF), Emberly Nichols/Clarksville (P), Karris Rhine/Marion, Illinois (OF) and Ainsley Grimes/Morris, Alabama (C/1B). 

"We are pumped for Team 38," Stanfill said. "With a group of about half returners, half newbies, we feel it has created a competitive environment for us with high energy. The chemistry is something we will continue to work on over the fall, but we are definitely starting off on the right foot." 

As for their fall schedule of games, the Govs open at home, with a 4:30 p.m., Oct. 5, doubleheader versus Volunteer State, followed by their lone road date this fall, on Oct. 8, at Southern Illinois' fall tournament, in Carbondale, Illinois, where they will face Saint Louis, (3 p.m.), and Parkland College, (5 p.m.). 

Austin Peay then returns to Clarksville for its final two home dates, playing doubleheaders versus John A Logan, at 3:30 p.m., on Oct. 14, and Dyersburg Community College, on Oct. 16, with a scheduled noon first pitch. 

"We use the fall season to develop our athletes and gain insight on what our baseline is." Stanfill said. "We will take one team at a time with the goal to clean up and improve each time on the dirt." 

The Govs will wrap up its fall action with its annual Red & Black World Series, on Oct. 21, 24, 25, with all three contests of the series beginning at 3 p.m. each day. 

The Govs open their 2023 regular season on Feb. 10-12, in Boiling Springs, North Carolina., at Gardner-Webb's Tournament, while their first ASUN contest comes at home on March 18 versus Kennesaw State. 

"We are always focused on being the hardest working team in the conference." Said Stanfill. "If we can maintain that mindset and get better each day mentally and physically, we will have a competitive outing in the Spring." 

Notably 

• The 2023 Spring regular season will be the Governors first as a member of the ASUN Conference. 
• With freshman Jacklyn Zuege joining sister Morgan Zuege on the 2022-23 roster, it marks the first time since the 2005 season, and the fifth time overall, where sisters have played for the Govs. 
• There are six former NCAA Division I transfers on this year's roster, including four new to the roster this season. 
• Sophomore pitcher Ashley Martin is the first NCAA DI transfer from a Power 5 conference school (Michigan State) since outfielder Megan Brooks transferred from Kentucky for the 2006 season. 
• The 2022-23 roster consists of players from 10 different states (Tennessee (8), Indiana (4), Kentucky (3), California, Illinois and South Carolina (2), and Alabama, Colorado, Georgia and North Carolina (1).

Follow The Govs On Social

For news and updates throughout the offseason and ahead of the Governors' inaugural season as a member of the ASUN Conference, follow the softball team on Twitter and Instagram (@GovsSB) or check back at LetsGoPeay.com.