SAVANNAH, Ga.- As Amber Hallman begins her fourth year as the Savannah State University head softball coach, the Kennesaw, Georgia native has four goals she wants her team to accomplish in 2026.

Finish the year with a team batting average of .500 or above. Finish top two in conference. Win all home series. Have a team grade point average of 3.5 or above. 

SSU batted .236 as a team a year ago and missed out on going to the conference tournament. The Lady Tigers had seven home series last season and only won two while losing four and splitting one. On the academic end, four players had at least a 3.4 grade point average and were named to the SIAC Commissioner's All-Academic Team.

Savannah State enters the year coming off of a 15-25 campaign where the posted a 11-13 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference record.

Back in 2023, Hallman only won eight games in her first year as the SSU head coach but those numbers almost doubled to 14 in 2024. Last season, Savannah State won 15 contests, the most since 2016 when they won 26 games while competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference at the Division I level.

Hallman says that every year the team is climbing the ladder and striving to get better on and off the field. "In recent years the student-athletes are starting to put in work no only in practice but before and after."  She says that this plays a huge role in their success because they are consistently perfecting their craft outside of practice.

With the majority of the previous starting lineup coming back, Hallman  says that is a key component to having a successful season. "Their experience and mental preparation will be crucial to the success of this program from start to finish."

Newcomers looking to play will have to earn their spot in the lineup with good performances in practice. "Freshman or not my coaching staff and I will play the best nine we have each game. Lineups are made a practice. Not on game day."

When asked what she considers to be the team strengths during the preseason workouts with her team which is made up of seven seniors, four freshmen, four sophomores and three juniors, Hallman said "this preseason I have witness this group of young ladies not only get stronger physically, but mentally as well. I believe defensive communication will be our biggest strength this year."

Ambria Guye and Ansley Hudson are two of the top returning veterans and Hallman will depend on them.

Guye batted .333 with 19 runs, 32 hits, six doubles, two home runs and 29 RBI last year while Hudson hit .405 with 28 runs, 45 hits, three doubles, one triple, one home run and 18 RBI while stealing 37 bases in 41 attempts.

"Ambria and Ansley not only lead their team athletically, but academically as well. They are two players that never hesitate to put the "team" before "I". Often coaches speak about recruiting players that have that "dog" in them. These two are straight competitors. Definitely two seniors that I will be sad to see them go."

On the mound, Hallman says that she expect each of her pitchers to leave it all on the field each time they're in the circle. "Though this year we only have a pitching staff of  three, these young ladies will have no problem holding their on in the circle."

Ariana Battle and Aaliyah Martin are back to pitch again this year. Battle started seven games and had a 3-4 record while pitching 41.1 innings and striking out 17 batters. Martin started ten games and won two. She pitched 58 innings and struck out 33.

Zorianna Ford and Milani Dunning are back with the squad after missing a season.

"Zorianna is coming off a ACL tear from her freshman season. She is looking to make a huge comeback this year and I am excited for her. One of the hardest working girls I have. Milani played a crucial role in our success her freshman year here at SSU. Now that she has returned to us junior year, I expect nothing but greatness. She has plenty of experience within this conference and has gained confidence mentally. I'm excited to see her excel on the diamond."

Carissa Ball scored 17 times and hit a triple last year, Jayla Alexander had 19 hits and three doubles, Kennedy Allsbrook drove in 13 runs while Neveah Ford stole 16 bases in 17 attempts and Battle stole 11 bases in 11 attempts.

Other returnees include infielders Phaedra Smith and Madison Starling-Martin and outfielder Morgan Cole.

Hallman brought in five new players this year with only one coming from the junior college ranks.

Tamia Aldridge hit .477 with 31 hits and 20 RBI at Sumter County High School in Americus, Georgia; Shamiya Raines batted .389 with 28 hits, five home runs and 23 RBI at Stratford Academy in Macon, Georgia; Jayla Givens played at East Laurens High School in Dublin, Georgia where she hit .329 with 41 runs, 28 hits, 23 RBI, nine doubles, three triples and two home runs; and Kaitlyn Williams played at Alcovy High School in Covington, Georgia where she hit .403 with 24 runs, 25 RBI, six doubles and three triples.

Donnea Allen arrived at SSU from Polk State College. The North Port, Florida native had a 4.83 earned run average and a 8-7 record in 18 starts. She pitched 88.1 innings and struck out 53.

Hallman didn't utilize the transfer portal like she has in the past, saying "the portal can be a hit or a miss. I only brought one transfer (Donnea Allen) in this year and lets just say it was a hit. She is a stud on the clay, and I'm really excited to see her perform this year."

Savannah State will play a tough non conference slate with teams like Paine, Georgia Southwestern, and Flagler. Paine competed in the NCCAA South Regional Championships last year and Georgia Southwestern and Flagler both played in the NCAA Division II South Regional.

"Playing high caliber teams will only make us better. To be the best you must compete against the best," said Hallman.

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