The David Dews era is off to a good start as the Wallace Lady Govs head softball coach. This past weekend the Lady Govs swept a double header from South Georgia State, winning the first game 9-3 and the second 10-1.

"It was kind of a tough opening series because of the travel," Dews said. "We had to leave for the first game at like 6 a.m. It kind of stretched us a little bit mentally."

Getting that early start apparently didn't bother sophomore Olivia Elliott. She hit two home runs in the second game. Elliot relied on her experience to hit those home runs.

"The first game they threw me changeups and I wasn't really sitting on them," Elliot said. "The second game came and I had adjusted to the speed enough and I was ready for it. I knew as soon as it came off the bat I knew it was gone. The second one, I wasn't expecting anything I got the first time. So I just sat outside because the first one was inside. I think I sat and waited long enough and I saw it out of her hand."

Dews said overall the team played well over the weekend. He particularly liked the way they swung the bats.

"We also pitched really well. Katlyn Conner, who got her first collegiate start, pitched really well. She went six innings. Olivia Elliot came in for one inning and struck out three. Elliot had been under the weather so we wanted to limit her time on the mound."

Jalei Freeman started the second game. Because the Lady Govs had performed so well offensively, Dews was able to put some others in game.

"After we started to build a lead, I wanted to get some of my other pitchers a little work. We split things up. Morgan Moss came in for a couple of innings. Then we finished it off with Jenna Toups just to get her some collegiate experience. We've got four games this week so all the pitchers will probably have to throw a little bit. I kind of wanted to get them ready for that."

Elliot feels the team is ready for the long season ahead.

"The team is a lot better than what we had in the fall," she said. "I think we've built the relationships up enough that we know what we're going to do, even the transfers. I don't really worry about our team chemistry as much as I did at the start of the season."

The Lady Govs will play a doubleheader at Abraham Baldwin on Tuesday. The team will also be on the road Thursday when they travel to Thomas University.