FRANKFORT, Ky. - The Kentucky State University softball team is traveling down to Lorman, Mississippi this Thursday, Feb. 12, for a match-up with Alcorn State to begin the Thorobrettes 2015 season. The doubleheader against the Lady Braves is set for a noon start.

The Thorobrettes are led by head coach Oscar Downs Jr. who is entering his 34^th year as the head coach of the Kentucky State program. Last season, the Thorobrettes finished the season 16-25 overall and 10-13 in SIAC action to finish fifth in the West Division standings. In the new SIAC Championship Tournament format only the top four teams from each division were included so the Thorobrettes missed out on a chance to compete for the conference championship.

"It was disappointing to be left on the outside looking in at the end of last season," Downs said. "While we lose much of our experience from last season, I'm very excited about the talent that we've put together for this season."

The Thorobrettes graduated 10 seniors last season. Kentucky State enters the new season with just four student-athletes from the 2014 roster. The team is made up of seven freshman, seven sophomores, a pair of juniors and one senior.

The coaching staff will look to the returners, JacQualyn Paysinger, Jaida Young, Miyache Ashworth and Tyniesha Wilson to help cultivate a winning culture and bring the newcomers up-to-speed.

The Kentucky State softball program will look to bounce back from a disappointed end to the season as they enter the 2015 season with a virtually brand new roster.

"The early season schedule will be very important for us to get a feel for our lineup and rotation," Downs said. "We have a lot of talent, now it's just about producing on the playing field and seeing who will be the leaders on this squad."

The Thorobrettes begin the season with their first 22 games on the road, beginning with their trip to Mississippi to play Alcorn State. After that season-opening series KSU heads to Mobile, Ala. for a three-game series against SIAC newcomer Spring Hill.

Then the team makes an eight-game road trip through Florida. Kentucky State will makes stops at Barry University and Rollins College.

KSU then heads to Alabama for a conference match-up against Miles on March 7-8 before heading to Selma for a doubleheader against Concordia University on Mar. 10.

The team then dives into the thick of their SIAC schedule with the annual SIAC Crossover once again being held in Jasper, Ala. The Mar. 12-14 event will see the Thorobrettes play six conference games in just three days.

After the SIAC Crossover, KSU heads back to Kentucky for their home opener on Mar. 21 when the Thorobrettes begin a three-game series against LeMoyne-Owen.

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