January 18, 2007
For the second straight year, Texas A&M was selected as the preseason favorite to win the Big 12 Conference Softball title in a vote of the league's head coaches, it was announced.
The Aggies (80 points) received eight of the possible 10 first-place votes to edge out second-place Baylor, which earned 69 points, including one first-place tally. Nebraska was ranked third followed by Oklahoma, defending-conference champion Texas, and 2006 postseason winner Kansas.
The Sooners also claimed a vote for first place. Filling the remaining spots in the preseason poll were Oklahoma State, Missouri, Texas Tech and Iowa State, respectively.
A&M returns 12 letterwinners, including eight position starters and three pitchers, from its 2006 squad. The team finished fourth in the Big 12 race after posting an 11-6 mark in league action and a 34-19 overall record.
Highlighting the '07 roster are All-Big 12 First Team honorees Amanda Scarborough and Jamie Hinshaw in addition to second team members Sharonda McDonald and Megan Gibson.
Last season, Scarborough and Gibson were tabbed National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Americans. Scarborough recorded a team-high 13 doubles, a .305 batting average and 23 RBI. From the circle, the Magnolia, Texas native struck out 136 batters in 158.2 innings while compiling a 15-11 record and a 2.47 ERA in 28 appearances. Gibson led the Aggies in batting average (.311) and RBI (37) in 2006. She also ranks third all-time on the school career list with 30 home runs.
McDonald tied the NCAA consecutive stolen base record (73) in '06, and is A&M's career leader in the category with 116 in three seasons.
Two-time all-conference selection Hinshaw also earned NFCA MIdwest All-Region accolades. The Aggie third baseman recorded a .303 BA, 27 RBI and 14 SB.
Jo Evans, 2004 and '05 Big 12 Coach of the Year, owns a 366-209-2 record
heading into her 11th season at the helm of the A&M program.
The Big 12 softball season gets underway on Thursday, Feb. 8 with KU and NU scheduled to open their seasons.
2007 Big 12 CONFERENCE Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
Team (first-place votes) Points
1. Texas A&M (8) 80
2. Baylor (1) 69
3. Nebraska 62
4. Oklahoma (1) 58
5. Texas 53
6. Kansas 39
7. Oklahoma State 28
8. Missouri 27
9. Texas Tech 23
10. Iowa State 11
**Points were awarded nine for first, eight for second, etc. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their teams.**