2023 Softball Media Days, Day 2: Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi State, and Northwestern State

Out of the Box

The Out of the Box Boys are back for more in the fourth year of Softball Media Days! Tom Canterbury and Gray Robertson return to talk with more SEC head coaches (plus a bonus coach!) ahead of the 2024 season. Here’s the rundown!

First, Tom and Gray preview everything inside Day 2 of Softball Media Days, including why these four teams were placed together (0:00-5:27).

Then, Arkansas head coach Courtney Deifel leads off the day and discusses why she shared her personal health story in a profile on The Dugout Digest, last year’s team, Chenise Delce’s legacy as a Razorback, hiring DJ Gasso, roster continuity, the portal haul, a post-deuce pitching staff, rule changes, a neutral site SEC Tournament, her all-time SEC pitcher draft big board, and much more (5:34-42:36).

Next, Missouri head coach Larissa Anderson stops by to talk about last year’s up and down season, the return of Alex Honnold and Jenna Laird, possible production jumps on offense, Laurin Krings and the pitching staff, incoming freshmen, the non-conference schedule, a New York trip, realignment across college sports, and more (42:42-1:18:46).

After that, Mississippi State head coach Samantha Ricketts joins the show to cover what was addressed in the offseason after missing the NCAA Tournament, adding Taryne Mowatt-McKinney, the pecking order of returning pitchers, the offensive focus for returners, portal additions, incoming freshmen, the Fall World Series, facilities in softball, and much more (1:19:00-1:59:21).

Finally, Northwestern State head coach Lacy Prejean swings by to discuss what brought her to Natchitoches, lessons from Patrick Murphy and Alyson Habetz, pitching coach Lexi Smith, hiring Melissa Mayeux, a stacked senior class, competing in the Southland, her Masters Champions Dinner menu, and much more (1:59:26-2:37:48).

To close the show, Tom and Gray recap the second episode and tease Day 3 of Softball Media Days (2:37:58-2:45:04).

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