DAYTON - The University of Dayton softball team is set to kick off the 2019 season with a trip to Charleston, South Carolina, for the CSU Willie Jewell Invitational Feb. 7-9. Dayton will square off against Maryland Eastern Shore, South Dakota and host Charleston Southern over a total of five games at the CSU Softball Complex.

About Dayton
Dayton posted an overall record of 31-25 after finishing in third place at the 2018 Atlantic 10 Championship. The Flyers return five positional starters from last year's squad, including 2018 A-10 First Team member senior catcher Kyle Davidson. Davidson led the team with a .351 average, 61 hits, 19 doubles, 39 runs and 17 stolen bases. Also returning for the 2019 season is 2018 First Team and All-Rookie Team member sophomore Abby Ehrenborg and A-10 Second Team member senior infielder Lisa Tassi. Both Davidson and Ehrenborg also earned mention on the NFCA Division I All-Region Second Team following last year. The Flyers were picked to finish second in the Atlantic 10 in 2019 as voted on by league coaches and are led by head coach Cara LaPlaca.

Scouting Charleston Southern
The Buccaneers were picked fifth overall in the annual Big South Conference preseason poll as voted on by the league's head coaches. Senior first baseman Jade Gandara was the runner-up in the preseason Player of the Year voting and returns after earning NFCA All-Region honors in 2018. The Hemet, Calif. native paced the Bucs in batting average (.395), slugging percentage (.741) and home runs (14) last season. CSU's head coach Venus Taylor makes her debut in the dugout this weekend for the first time with the Bucs after joining the team in late fall.

Scouting Maryland Eastern Shore
Maryland Eastern Shore was picked sixth in the Northern Division and 12th overall in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in the MEAC's preseason softball poll. The Hawks went 4-35 last season and Sara Jo Whaley is the team's leading hitter returning the field after hitting .294 with 25 hits and 10 RBI. Nasya Goodman returns after a freshman season where she picked up all four of the Hawks' wins in the circle. She led the team with 25 appearances and 20 starts while adding 17 complete games. Allen Davenport finished up his 14th season with the Hawks as an assistant coach prior to being named the interim head coach this season.

Scouting South Dakota
South Dakota was picked fourth overall in The Summit League preseason poll as announced by the conference office earlier in the season. The Coyotes return a team anchored by five seniors and four All-Summit performers returning to the lineup. Junior Camille Fowler is one of the aforementioned All-Conference performers and is a two-year starter in the outfield. She hit .326 at the plate last season with a team-high 57 hits and 12 stolen bases. Dustie Durham is the leader in the circle for the Coyotes and returns for her senior season after leading the team with an 11-13 record with nine complete games and three shutouts. Robert Wagner begins his third season at the helm with the Coyotes this weekend. 

Dayton's Jewell Invitational Schedule
Thursday, Feb. 7  Dayton at Charleston Southern 5 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 8  Maryland Eastern Shore vs. Dayton 9 a.m.
Friday, Feb. 8  South Dakota vs. Dayton 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 9  Dayton vs. South Dakota 9 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 9  Dayton at Charleston Southern  2 p.m.