BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Christian Brothers University softball team had junior transfer Cara Alexander and freshman Josie Bond named to the 2021 Gulf South Conference Top Newcomers list, and was picked to finish 12th in the Preseason Coaches Poll.

Alexander transfered to CBU following a decorated career at Rock Valley College (Ill.), where she was a member of the 2019 NJCAA DIII national championship team. The Sterling, Ill., native earned All-American honors after finishing her freshman campaign with a .420 batting average with 24 doubles, five triples, a home run and 34 RBIs. She was also named to the NJCAA All-Tournament Team.

Before her sophomore season was cut short, after 19 games, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alexander was batting .475 with 10 RBIs. The Sterling, Ill., native prepped at Sterling High School, under head coach Becki Edmondson, where she was a BIG12 All-Academic Athlete. 

 

Bond prepped at Independence High School, where she was a three-time All-District performer, while also earning Second Team All-County honors. As a junior, the infielder hit .400 with a .550 on base percentage with 42 hits, 15 RBIs and 24 runs. 

CBU returns its top eight hitters and its top three pitchers from a team that thru just 12 games had already tied for the most conference wins (3) since 2016. 

The Lady Bucs are scheduled to open their season on Saturday, Feb. 13 when they travel to Arkadelphia, Ark., for the McGhee-Hawkins Invitational.