HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana softball team will attempt to fill open positions and solidify a lineup during fall practice, which started last week.
 
The Lady Lions are coming off a school-record 32 wins and their first postseason berth since 2008. Four former All-Southland Conference performers in junior third baseman Megan Moore (.277, 6 HR, 34 RBI in 2013), senior second baseman Megan McCollum (.272, 15 RBI), sophomore centerfielder Katie Lacour (.380) and sophomore first baseman/designated player Amber Sather (.298, 11 HR, 41 RBI) highlight a group of 14 letter winners.
 
"We're very pleased with what we have returning," Southeastern head coach Pete Langlois said. "Megan Moore and Megan McCollum are both dangerous at the plate, while also fielding their position as well as anyone in our league. Katie will replace (2013 senior) Michelle (Duhe) in center and we're confident she will excel for us. Like Katie, Amber had a huge freshman year for us and we expect her to continue to improve. She'll split time with (senior) Tori (Sheppard) at first base and serve as the designated player when she's not playing first."
 
Southeastern will be using the fall to fill some positions of need after a standout senior class completed its eligibility in 2013. Langlois will be looking to replace All-Southland outfielders Duhe and Kelsey Nichols, shortstop Kayla Elswick and catcher Katie Doyle, as well as two key members of the pitching rotation in Kenna Terry and Kati Morse.
 
"There's no doubt our seniors left some big shoes to fill," Langlois said. "Our players need to realize that we are using this fall to see who's going to be ready to step up come spring."
 
Sophomore ace Taylor Bishop returns in the circle for the Lady Lions, along with seniors Jessie Browne and Rachael Hellyer. Newcomers Tori Stamper and Teresa Lemos round out the staff.
"Taylor improved throughout the season as a freshman and was probably our best pitcher by the end of the season," Langlois said. "We would like to see Rachael have a great senior season. We've been impressed with Tori and Teresa so far and we think they can both help us in the spring.
 
"Whether she's pitching or not, Jessie is going to be out there for us," Langlois added. "The development she made as a hitter last season has earned her the right to have her bat in the lineup every game. We are going to have to use her in a variety of different positions to keep her in as a threat in the middle of our lineup."
 
Browne is part of a large group of players competing for playing time at the corner outfield spots. Browne and fellow returners Logane Fuselier, Sloan Jenkins and Amanda Livaudais along with newcomers Brooke Ort, Mychal Truxillo and Brittney Tschoepe are all vying for playing time.
 
Tschoepe, Ort and Jenkins have all seen time at short. In the spring, transfer Spencer Adkinson will join the trio in the quest to replace the slick fielding Elswick. Senior returner Caitlyn Fowler and freshman Lacey Fritz are battling to replace the solid Doyle behind the plate.
 
"We're seeing a lot of good competition and we're excited about that," Langlois said. "As we start getting into game action, we want to start to see some people separate themselves from the group and take starting jobs. One of the things that helped us last year was we were able to establish stability in our lineup early in the season and give our starters a chance to get plenty of at-bats before we started conference."
 
Southeastern opens its fall schedule with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at LSU-Alexandria on Sept. 29. The rest of the Southeastern fall slate is at home.
 
On Oct. 9, the Lady Lions welcome Baton Rouge Community College to town for a 5 p.m. contest. A doubleheader is scheduled with visiting Alvin College on Oct. 15 at 3 p.m. The fall schedule closes with a round-robin tournament between Southeastern, BRCC, Louisiana College and East Mississippi Community College on Oct. 19 at North Oak Park.