January 16, 2006
Two-time Big 12 Coach of the Year, Jo Evans and the defending 2005 Big 12 Regular Season Champion Texas A&M softball team are set to start practice Tuesday at the Aggie Softball Complex for the 2006 season.
?We are anxious to get back on Aggie Field after spending the fall season using the Bryan High School facilities,? commented Evans. ?It's been a long time since we've had the opportunity to be on our home field, as a team, and we are looking forward to spending the next three weeks preparing for our season opener in Arizona.?
The Aggies return 11 letterwinners for the 2006 season, which includes five position starters and all three of last season?â„¢s starting pitchers. Heading the list of returners for A&M, the nation?â„¢s best hitting team in 2005 that reached the NCAA postseason play for the 16th time, are All-Americans Amanda Scarborough and Megan Gibson.
Scarborough racked up a 26-2 record in the circle, with a 0.73 ERA while swinging her way to a league second best .405 batting average. She was honored as the Big 12?â„¢s Freshman and Player of the Year, the first time the awards have been given to the same recipient. Scarborough also earned recognition on the national level as she was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches?â„¢ Association All-America first team.
Teammate Megan Gibson also earned NFCA All-America honors (second team) as she belted 18 homeruns while driving in 57 RBI, amassing a .823 slugging percentage. Gibson was in the top-10 in the nation for homeruns, RBI per game and slugging percentage. In the circle, Gibson was 13-6 in 23 appearances.
Sharonda McDonald returns to the Aggie outfield after a sophomore season which saw her light-up the base-paths stealing a rare, perfect 48 bases in 48 attempts during 51 games played (0.94 steals a game). Her stellar running abilities earned her All-Region honors and the 2005 NFCA/adidas Golden Shoe Award. The Aggie outfielder also hit .360 with nine RBI while recording a team-best 53 runs scored.
The 2006 Aggies boast another young roster, with All-Big 12 selections Lindsay Park and Rocky Spencer returning as the only two seniors on the squad. Park appeared in 47 games in 2005, starting 41 at first base, hitting .328 while contributing 23 RBI. Spencer patrolled the outfield in all 57 games last season, driving in 25 runs while hitting .365 for the maroon and white.
To replace the holes left by last year?â„¢s seniors, the Aggies will look to freshman shortstop Holly Ridley, outfielder Ronda Smith and catcher Patti Wunderlich.
?This is a great freshman class,? Evans noted. ?All three of these athletes have the ability to come in and contribute immediately to our success. They are impact players who will no doubt be able to contribute to our team both offensively and defensively.?
The Aggies kick-off the 2006 season at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. Friday, Feb. 10 when they meet Fresno State at 3 p.m. at the Tempe Sports Complex. The Ags home opener takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 15 against the University of Texas-San Antonio. The first pitch of the doubleheader is set for 3 p.m. at Aggie Softball Complex.
The Aggies, who have owned the best winning percentage in league play (.712) for the past three seasons, will take the field at home 23 times in 18 days this year.
?I feel like we had a very successful fall season,? concluded Evans. ?I expect our players to be ready to take on a very challenging schedule and to make a run at another conference championship.?
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