PHYLLIS RAFTER MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT Tournament Central Page Pete D''Amour Interview

LEADING OFF
* The Kennesaw State softball program opens its 32nd season and 11th at the NCAA Division I level when it hosts Saint Louis in its opening game of the Phyllis Rafter Memorial Tournament Friday (Feb. 10) at Bailey Park. First pitch is scheduled 3 p.m. (ET).
* The Owls welcome Austin Peay, Morehead State, South Carolina State and Saint Louis to Kennesaw for the three-day tournament that runs through Sunday (Feb. 12). Admission to all home games is free.
* The 2017 season marks the beginning of a new era for Kennesaw State as Pete D'Amour begins his first season as head coach after being named to the post on Sept. 16.
* The Owls are coming off a 30-28 season in 2016, and finished fourth in the ASUN Conference.
* Kennesaw State returns 13 letter winners from a year ago and has added nine newcomers to the roster.
* The 2017 roster is highlighted by the senior trio of utility player Taylor Denton, catcher Courtney Sutter and pitcher Logan Viers. All three individuals earned All-ASUN Conference honors last year, while Denton and Viers were named preseason all-conference. 

PHYLLIS RAFTER TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Friday, February 10
10 a.m.	Morehead State vs. Saint Louis
12:30 p.m.	Morehead State vs. South Carolina State
3 p.m.	Saint Louis vs. Kennesaw State
5:30 p.m.	South Carolina State vs. Kennesaw State
Saturday, February 11
10 a.m.	Austin Peay vs. South Carolina State
12:30 p.m.	Morehead State vs. South Carolina State
3 p.m.	Austin Peay vs. Kennesaw State
5:30 p.m.	Morehead State vs. Kennesaw State
Sunday, February 12
10 a.m.	Saint Louis vs. Austin Peay
12:30 p.m.	Austin Peay vs. Saint Louis
3 p.m.	Morehead State vs. Kennesaw State

* Home team listed second 

PHYLIS RAFTER MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT FIELD
* Austin Peay: The Governors went 9-38 last season, including 5-22 in the Ohio Valley Conference. Sophomore third baseman Danielle Liermann highlights a group of 13 returners to the roster after batting a team-best .361 average, seven home runs and 36 RBIs.  
* Morehead State: The Eagles finished 26-27 overall and 12-12 in the Ohio Valley Conference in 2016. Junior catcher Robyn Leighton returns after leading Morehead State with a .343 average.
* South Carolina State: The Bulldogs are coming a 5-26 season a year ago. Junior utility player Jada Richardson returns in 2017 after leading the team with a .307 average last season.
* Saint Louis: The Billikens finished 25-26 overall and place fourth in the A10 with a 14-8 mark. Senior outfielder Mackenzie Peter is Saint Louis' top returning player after leading the club with a .338 average and 13 home runs in 2016.

KENNESAW STATE VERSUS THE FIELD
* Austin Peay: The Owls lead the all-time series, 5-1. The two programs last met during the 2015 season, and KSU won both meetings by scores of 11-0 and 8-2.
* Morehead State: Kennesaw State leads the series, 2-0, posting a 2-1 victory in 2012 and recording a 5-1 win in 2016.
* South Carolina State: The Owls and Bulldogs will be meeting for the first time this weekend.
* Saint Louis: The Billikens hold a 2-0 advantage in the series. The two programs last met in 2012 and Saint Louis posted a 4-3 victory in Kennesaw. 

HEAD COACH PETE D'AMOUR
* Head coach Pete D'Amour begins his first season as Kennesaw State head coach after spending the previous 10 seasons at the University of Missouri.
* While at Mizzou, D'Amour helped the Tigers post a 453-154 (.746) record, advance to three Women's College World Series (2009, 2010, 2011), reach eight NCAA Division I Super Regionals, and participate in 10 NCAA Regionals.
* During D'Amour's tenure, Missouri won two Big 12 Conference championships and earned 10 straight Top 20 national rankings.
* Primarily responsible for working with the pitchers and catchers, D'Amour watched Tigers pitcher throw 11 no-hitters, while mentoring 11 All-Americans, two SEC Freshen of the Year, three conference Pitchers of the Year, a national earned-run average leader, and a Defensive Player of the Year. 

NOTES
* Pitcher Logan Viers returns for her senior season after posting a career year in 2016. The Owls right-hander record a 14-11 record, 1.65 ERA and struck out 124, while making recording career highs in appearances (42) and games started (40). She finished second in the ASUN Conference in ERA and earned second team All-ASUN Conference honors.
* Senior utility player Taylor Denton begins her final year as KSU's all-time stolen base leader (62) and single-season stolen base record holder (32). She led the Owls in hitting with a .324 average, 56 hits, 28 runs scored and 32 stolen bases en route to earning second team All-ASUN Conference honors.
* Senior Courtney Sutter provides stability behind plate, and enters her final campaign with a .293 career average, 21 home runs and 89 RBIs. She topped the Owls with eight home runs and 31 RBIs last season, and ranks in the program's top 10 in home runs.

To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State softball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsSB or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
 

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