RALEIGH, N.C. - Saint Augustine's University begins the 2013 softball season with a non-conference doubleheader against city rival William Peace University at Wachovia Athletic Field on Peace's campus Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013. The first game starts at 2 p.m. followed by the second contest at approximately 4 p.m.

The Lady Falcons have 14 players on the roster, including 10 players who are either freshmen or sophomores. Head Coach Nikki Bumpass likes the energy of her young squad.

“Our team is young but hungry,” said Bumpass, in her second-year. “Our motto is 'Every day, every game, every practice…We will compete!”

The Lady Falcons are led by All-CIAA player Ramadana Simmons (Sr./Atlanta, Ga.) and power hitter Jolanda White (So./Leland, N.C.). Simmons, a second baseman, tied for the CIAA lead in walks (25) and ranked fifth in the conference in on-base percentage (.481) last season. Her batting average was .309.

White, an infielder and outfielder this season, led the CIAA in home runs (10) and slugging percentage (.783) as a freshman in 2012. She tied for third in the league in stolen bases (18) last season.

The other returning players are LaKeisha Ford (Jr./Madison Heights, Va.), Cierra Neal (So./New Hill, N.C.), Jennifer Plair (Jr./Hampton, Va.), Michelle Shackleford (Jr./Bowie, Md.), Autumn-Smith Faulkner (Charlotte, N.C.) and Taylor Walters (So./Douglasville, Ga.). Shackleford ranked eighth in the CIAA in batting average (.402), and Walters was named to the All-CIAA rookie team last season.

Six newcomers join the veterans including Hannah Stutts (So./Statesville, N.C.), a power hitter and talented pitcher who transferred from Methodist University where she was once the conference rookie pitcher of the year.

The Lady Falcons host their first home doubleheader at Buffaloe Road Park on Saturday, Feb. 9, against Davis & Elkins in Raleigh, N.C. Starting times are 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.