Nov. 16, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Each week heading into the 2007 Samford softball season, a different player will be highlighted in an edition of "Bulldog Talk", a question-and-answer session with one this year's players. This week's featured player is junior outfielder Emily Deaux.

The Samford softball team will begin play in its 2007 season Feb. 9-11 at the prestigious Florida State Tournament. The opening date is roughly 13 weeks away and each of Samford's 15 softball players will have their turn to be featured in the inaugural edition of "Bulldog Talk".

Deaux, a native of Collierville, Tenn., is the third Samford softball player to be featured this year.

She is a junior business major and played in 35 of the Bulldogs' 58 games as a sophomore last season. Deaux, one of Samford's most powerful sluggers, is coming off a solid fall campaign and will be expected to contribute greatly to the Bulldogs' offense in 2007.

The following is a transcript from Deaux's edition of "Bulldog Talk".

How is the team doing this year?
"The team is doing a good job preparing mentally and physically for this upcoming season. We are constantly encouraging each other to persevere when the training gets tough. It's good to be with your close friends and people you trust. It makes everything bearable. We will definitely be ready and in great shape for the season."

How are individual workouts, weight training and conditioning going?
"Well, although those aren't the most exciting things to do, our team has been able to make it fun. Just about every time we workout or condition, something hilarious always happens. I think my favorite thing to see is someone fall down! That has happened just about every time we've conditioned. Our team is such a hard working team. We give 100 percent every day. This hard work in the weight room and on the field is going to pay off when the season gets here."

What is it like being on the same team with your twin sister?
"I love having my twin sister on the team. It's nice to have Tracey there all the time encouraging me on and off the field. We have helped each other out in many aspects of the game. Tracey can do some things better than me, so she can help me out in those areas. Likewise, when she's struggling with something, I can help her. Everyone who knows Tracey can agree that she keeps the game fun. That's why she's great to always have around."

What aspect of your game has improved the most this year?
"I think my mental game has improved the most this year. I have gotten stronger mentally in each aspect of the game: hitting, defense and conditioning. I love the fall season because it's a time to build up your confidence. I'm excited to see how my mentality carries through to the season."

Which games are you looking forward to the most and why?
"I don't have any specific games that I'm looking forward to, but I love when we play teams in our conference. Those games are usually close and intense games. They are also teams we know a lot about since we've been playing them for so long. So, it's a game based on strategies."

Check out next week's edition of "Bulldog Talk", as Samford softball's featured player will be freshman utility player Brittany Simao.

Simao is entering her first season at Samford and was a standout performer at Berean Christian High School in Concord, Calif.