Charlotte softball looks to win AAC title in first year

CHARLOTTE ATHLETICS

The Charlotte 49ers take a 14-game win streak and a 36-16 record into the American Athletic Conference softball tournament.

Charlotte softball is taking a 14-game win streak and double-bye into the American Conference tournament.

Coach Ashely Chastain is making sure her team is staying in the moment and not getting too far ahead of themselves as they try to win the AAC in their first year as a member.

“We are really just trying to stay in the present opportunity that we have,” Chastain said. “That would be to go and win the [conference] championship first. Our focus until Sunday is winning the conference tournament. It would be huge for the program. It would be huge for our senior class to go out with multiple championships and just very fitting for this group and for all the impact that they have had over the last few years.”

During the streak, Charlotte secured two shutouts and four one-run games by opponents. Pitching is something Chastain feels is really clicking with the combination of Georgenanna Barefoot and Sam Gress in the circle key to their success.

“Gigi Barefoot just won pitcher of the year in the league,” Chastain said. “She has been the most consistent piece for us all year. I also think Sam Gress is throwing the best right now that she has thrown since she has been a Niner. I think the combination of those two has been big. Their usage has gone up over the past month as we’ve gotten to the postseason. But, that was the plan all along. We have a deep [pitching corps] and we used the whole staff throughout the season so Gigi and Sam will be their best at the end and a lot fresher for us.”

Barefoot and Gress have combined for 165 strikeouts and a combined record of 25-10. Chastain feels like when they are producing in the circle, it allows the offense to settle in and find their rhythm.

“We’ve been pitching so well and playing great defense,” Chastain said, “and it’s allowed the offense to relax and just go to work. Normally, if you put too much pressure on the offense, the at-bats are below average. But, the last month, [Charlotte] has just been in a really good headspace.”

Charlotte finished the regular season 36-16 and co-champs of the AAC. Due to tiebreaker rules, Florida Atlantic earned the top seed in the conference tournament, but Chastain feels the 49ers are capable of winning it all.

“These girls were tested every single game,” she said. “Whether it be early in the week, middle of the week or on the weekend, they were tested. When we set [the schedule] up, we wanted to be able to say that we’ve played in multiple games this year already that feel like postseason and regional games. So, I think the girls are prepared and they won’t make any moment bigger than it is. It has set us up to have success just stay really confident.”

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