Aces in Elon, N.C. for weekend tournament
 EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Action officially begins for the University of Evansville softball team as they are in Elon, N.C. for the Elon Softball Classic.
Friday’s opening day features games against Miami Ohio and Kent State. The Purple Aces open Saturday with a rematch versus the Golden Flashes before squaring off against Elon. UE completes the weekend on Sunday with another contest against the RedHawks. Miami is the defending Mid-American Conference Champion and won two games in the NCAA Regionals. Miami won 39 games a season ago.
Evansville’s 2024 squad brings back a wealth of experience with 20 players from last year’s team coming back. UE finished the season with a 22-32 mark but excelled at home, going 15-8. The entire regular starting lineup from 2023 returns including 5th-year player Hannah Hood and Jess Willsey, who had the top batting average for the Purple Aces.
Jenna Nink and Hood batted .267 and .265 in 2023, respectively. Alexa Davis led the team with 7 home runs, 24 RBI and 18 steals.
In the circle, the Purple Aces see their top three pitchers from last season return in 2024. Megan Brenton posted a team-best 2.23 ERA while earning six saves. Sydney Weatherford led the team with six wins while recording a 3.33 ERA. Mikayla Jolly was third on last year’s team with a 3.58 ERA and made 21 starts.
