JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -- The East Tennessee State University Softball program begins its inaugural season at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 15 in Huntsville, Tex. against Sam Houston State University.

Head coach Stephanie DeFeo will lead the Buccaneers into their first season. DeFeo, a 1997 graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana, comes to ETSU from the University of Buffalo where she was an assistant coach. Prior to Buffalo, DeFeo was an assistant coach at the University of Texas at San Antonio. During her playing career at Southwestern Louisiana, now the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, she was a three-time All-American and a four-time All-Region honoree.

The four-year starter at first base finished her career with the Lady Cajuns career record for home runs (43), slugging percentage (.676) and runs batted in (187). DeFeo also excelled in the classroom and was a three-time GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-American.

The lone senior on the Buc squad is former soccer player and Johnson City product (Science Hill High School) Amber Ledbetter. Ledbetter lettered three years while playing goalkeeper and defense. She holds the ETSU records for saves in a season and career, fewest goals in a season, goals against average in a season and career and season and career shutouts.

The last athletic program started by East Tennessee State was the women’s soccer team in 1997. The Buccaneer soccer program had their best season in the 2000 campaign, setting team records for wins, goals, assists, points and shots.

“We are thrilled to begin a new varsity program under Coach DeFeo,” said ETSU Athletic Director Todd Stansbury. “We are confident that we will be competitive in the Southern Conference.”

The Buccaneers begin the season on a 15-game road swing before they play their first home game at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 12 against Lambuth University at Kiwanis Field.