ATLANTA – One day before EKU softball opens its 2024 season, head coach Jane Worthington and redshirt-senior Vianna Barron spoke on the Atlantic Sun Conference's Softball Showcase, aired live via ESPN+ on Wednesday afternoon.
 
EKU is set to open its season tomorrow at the Wofford Invitational (Feb. 8-11) against host-school Wofford College and former EKU assistant coach/student-athlete, Chelsea Butler, at 6 p.m. EST live on ESPN+.
 
The Colonels will continue their opening weekend on Friday against George Mason at 12:30 p.m., followed by a double-header on Saturday against Robert Morris and a TBD opponent, the tournament will conclude on Sunday at a TBD time against a TBD opponent.
 
Thursday's game against Wofford is the only game scheduled to be aired on ESPN+, however, fans can access live stats on the Terriers' website for the remaining four games.
 
The Colonels returned 14-of-15 eligible players off the 2023 roster, including Barron and Maggie Pertee, who claimed all-conference honors last season.  
 
Of the 14 returners, EKU returns 86 percent of its offense, which was inside the top 5 of the ASUN leaderboards in most offensive categories, while returning 100 percent of its pitching staff.
 
EKU added eight incoming freshmen from five different states, one of its highest-rated classes in recent memory.
 
EKU will play its first 15 games on the road, making stops in South Carolina, Alabama, and Utah before returning home for the Colonel Classic on March 1.
 
Quotes from ASUN Softball Showcase
 
On the differences of EKU softball from 2023 to 2024…
Worthington: "When you compare this year to last year, you are going to be looking at two completely different teams.  Yes, we only lost one player, however, we brought in eight.  So, I think you are going to see something completely different and it's going to be much deeper, our depth, we're going to be much better."
 
On the differences of EKU softball from 2023 to 2024…
Barron: "Pitching is going to be a big contributor; we didn't have the staff we have this season.  Now that we have about seven pitchers, that will really take a lot of pressure off our offense.  That and reducing errors, just having the mindset of not wanting to give the other team anything, errors, extra bases…"
 
Worthington continued: "Yeah, I would add to that, this team is super cohesive, super talented, our pitching is going to be much improved.  Lauren (Narvaez) did a great job last year, Brooke (Davis) did a good job as a freshman.  But the thing that we have is a few freshmen that are coming in, being able to help us right away, because last year we had a freshman, Tayteum (Vigansky) will be back, going to help us a ton.  We're not going to have to score as many runs to win ball games, as we have had to in the past.  The biggest thing is I think this group enjoys playing, get along very well, I'm expecting a pretty good year."
 
On beginning the season with 15 road games…
Barron: "Honestly, I don't really want to think about our team opening the season with 15 games on the road, just want to think about one game at a time.  With it being my last season, just trying to soak up every moment we have.  Whether it's practice or games, I really want to make sure that no matter where I'm at, playing with the personality that everyone loves while keeping my competitiveness, and just love the game."
 
Season tickets are available for purchase starting at just $24 online here.