October 07, 2003
The Texas A&M softball team opens its fall exhibition season on Wednesday when the Aggies play host to Blinn College at the Aggie Softball Complex. The doubleheader will begin at 5 p.m. and admission is free.
Head Coach Jo Evans, entering her eighth season at the helm, returns 10 letterwinners and five starters from last year's team that went 38-22, advanced to the NCAA regional finals for the second consecutive year and ended the season ranked 15th nationally.
"Our players have been working very hard throughout the summer and fall," Evans said. "Playing games this early will be a good gauge as to what we need to improve on to be ready for our spring season. We have five new faces and several players from last year's squad that will be battling for starting positions, so it should be an exciting fall."
The Aggies return their leading hitter, junior left fielder Jana James (.335, 2 HR, 32 RBI), and home-run threats in junior infielder Adrian Gregory (.290, 10, 32) and senior pitcher/designated player Lindsay Wilhelmson (.246, 12, 32).
Both starting pitchers return to the circle as well in seniors Wilhelmson (18-8, 1.92 ERA) and Jessica Slataper (14-14, 2.00). They will be joined by redshirt freshman Jill Weynand (Frisco, Texas/Frisco HS) and true freshman Christina Smith (Katy, Texas/Cinco Ranch HS).
Evans has brought in a talented freshman class that includes Smith, infielder Sharonda McDonald (Houston, Texas/Dobie HS), outfielder Joy Davis (Austin, Texas/Bowie HS), infielder Laura Durham (Pearland, Texas/Pearland HS) and local product Lisa Gorzycki (Bryan, Texas/Bryan HS).
A&M must replace four starters including All-American catcher Selena Collins, shortstop Crystal Martin, center fielder Cheryl Fowler and third baseman Jennifer Davis.
The Aggies will continue fall exhibition play this weekend at the Spring-Klein College Classic outside Houston. Rounding out the fall slate is a home twinbill with Alvin Community College on Oct. 15 and the Texas A&M Fall Invitational on Oct. 18.
A&M opens the 2004 regular season on Wednesday, Feb. 4 when the Aggies host North Texas at 5 p.m.