BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Christian Brothers University softball team had junior transfers
Haylee Alberson and
Gabby Dickerson named to the 2024 Gulf South Conference Top Newcomers list, and was picked to finish 12th in the Preseason Coaches Poll.
Alberson transfered to CBU following a decorated career at Itawamba Community College, where she wrapped up her sophomore season with a .273 batting average with four doubles, two home runs and 19 RBIs. As a pitcher, Alberson was 4-2 with a 2.44 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 51.2 innings. As a freshman, the Hernando, Miss., native hit .316 at the plate with eight home runs and 42 RBIs. For her efforts, she was named NJCAA and MACCC Player of the Week.
Alberson had an outstanding prep career where she helped lead Desoto Central to back-to-back MHSAA 6A State Championships. She wrapped up her career at Magnolia Hights School where she was named an MAIS All-Star and to the Commercial Appeal All-Metro Team.
Dickerson played two seasons at Northwest Mississippi Community College, where she helped the Rangers earn their first bid to the NJCAA Division II Softball Tournament in program history. As a freshman, the pitcher set the program record for most victories (26), most strikeouts (239) and most innings (203.1). As a sophomore, the Olive Branch, Miss., native was 15-4 with 137 strikeouts in 116 innings. Opponents hit just .204 against the right-handed pitcher. She wrapped up her career with the program record for most strikeouts.
Dickerson played for coach Brooke Van de Vurst at Lewisburg High School, where she helped lead the team to the 2021 MHSAA 6A Playoffs. During her career, she finished with 334 strikeouts and a 1.84 ERA.
CBU returns its top four hitters from last season (
Riley Simpson,
Kate Candies,
Kiera Coulon and
Josie Bond). The Lady Bucs also return starting pitcher
Emily Schooler, who led the team in ERA and strikeouts as a freshman.
The Lady Bucs are scheduled to open their season on Saturday, Feb. 3 when they host Blue Mountain.
2024 GSC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Alabama Huntsville (11)..........143 pts
2. Mississippi College (2).............123 pts
3. West Alabama.............................120 pts
4. Auburn Montgomery...............118 pts
5. Valdosta State.............................102 pts
6. West Florida.................................87 pts
7. Union.............................................74 pts
8. Montevallo...................................71 pts
9. Lee..................................................51 pts
10. West Georgia...............................46 pts
11. Delta State...................................41 pts
12. Christian Brothers......................21 pts
13. Shorter..........................................17 pts
First-place votes in parentheses
