The Official Athletics Website of Coppin State

When second-year Grambling State University head softball coach Wilbert Early hit the diamond this past fall for preseason workouts, nametags were required as the 2008 Lady Tiger softball team had an entirely new look than the previous year’s team.

Hired during August of 2006 after several years as an assistant coach at SWAC West foe Southern University, Early was quickly thrown into the fire during his first year as head coach of Grambling State.  Due to his late arrival, Early had little time to relax as he quickly rolled up his sleeves and set out to rebuild a softball program that had hit rock bottom with a combined record of 21-197 over the past four seasons.  As a result, Early went through several trials and tribulations once the 2007 season began but managed to put his initial campaign behind him as the future looks bright for the Lady Tiger softball program.

            When the Lady Tigers hit the field this spring, a total of 15 newcomers combined with three returning letterwinners look to hit the ground running as GSU seeks a return to the postseason and the upper echelon of the SWAC West for the first time in six years.  The three returnees who’ll be counted on to show the newcomers the ropes early on are the senior duo of third baseman Ashley Carter, first baseman Jackie Deleon and sophomore outfielder Terel Jones.

            A threat on the bases, Jones ranked second on the team with seven stolen bases in addition to finishing third in hits and batting average.  Deleon, who also saw action on the mound last year, finished third on the team in RBIs and fourth in hits and batting average while Carter ranked fifth on the team in hits.

            Early’s newcomers bring a wide variety of experiences to the table as all have successful and significant softball experience ranging from the NCAA, junior college or high school ranks.  While it remains to be seen how the unit will mesh as the season opens due to the large amount of players brought in, early indications indicate the group will provide an immediate impact towards the resurgence of the softball program due to the fact that several of the players hail from competitive softball areas that have been fertile recruiting ground for several of the top programs in the SWAC over the past few years.

            Grambling State will immediately jump into the frying pan as the season opens due to them participating in the inaugural Tiny Laster Classic in Atlanta, Ga. beginning on Feb. 8.  The tourney features several of the top softball teams in the black college ranks and will provide a gauge of where the new-look Lady Tigers stand early on.  In addition to its slate of teams from the SWAC, GSU will also participate in tournaments at Southeastern Louisiana and Samford along with non-conference games against Centenary, Texas College, Louisiana College and Southeastern Louisiana.