Feb. 5, 2009
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The fifth-ranked Texas A&M softball team kicks off the season at home this weekend hosting the 2009 Aggie Classic presented by Honey Baked Ham at the Aggie Softball Complex. A&M faces Tulsa at 1 p.m. and UTSA at 3:30 p.m. both Friday and Saturday.
"It doesn't seem like that long ago that we were just playing in the Women's College World Series, so to already be back at it and to have good weather just seems beyond belief," said head coach Jo Evans. "I'm excited that our kids are going to have an opening day that is going to feel real good. It's going to be a good test for us and we really look forward to being able to see where we are at this point in the season."
Live stats will be provided for every game this weekend with live audio and video for A&M games on AggieAthletics.com. Fans can listen live on Sports Radio 1150 The Zone for both contests on Saturday. Broadcasts begin 15 minutes prior to first pitch.
Following the final A&M contest on Saturday, there will be an autograph session with the 2009 Fightin' Texas Aggie Softball Team. Fans can purchase tickets for the games online or by calling 1-888-99-AGGIE.
General parking is free on days when there is not a baseball or basketball game and is available in lots 100g, 100j and 100k. Fans should arrive before 1 p.m. or after 3:15 p.m. on Saturday to avoid paying $5 due to the lots being taken over for the home basketball game.
2009 OUTLOOK
Following its second-consecutive trip to the Women's College World Series, a program-best 57 wins and a national runner-up finish, the Texas A&M softball team looks to carry its success from 2008 into 2009.
"Our goal for this season is to pick up where we left off last season," said Evans, who is entering her 13th season at the helm of the Aggies. "We have established a great culture of winning and tremendous team chemistry. Our goal is to carry that winning culture and that great chemistry into the 2009 season. We expect to continue to compete for championships."
The defending Big 12 Champions are led by Evans, a three-time Big 12 Coach of the Year, and associate head coaches Mary Jo Firnbach. The 2008 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year is at the helm of a 2009 squad that returns nine letterwinners and seven starters, while welcoming five celebrated newcomers.
"We have a very young squad," continued Evans. "Our returners played in the national championship series last season, so they have been tested at the highest level. They handled the pressure and stress with poise and grace, and they will take that experience with them into this season. They are a hardworking group and anxious to show the country they can pick up where last year's team left off.
"Our freshman class will have the opportunity to be in our starting lineup. Each one of them is competing hard for a position and I anticipate them making an immediate impact on our program. They are very competitive and have the desire to be great players and help us win championships. I am encouraged by what I have seen so far and look forward to watching them grow and develop."
PITCHERS
With the departure of three-time All-American Amanda Scarborough, there are some big shoes to fill in the circle, but sophomore Rebecca Arbino (Clovis, Calif.) and senior transfer Savana Lloyd (Kirkland, Wash.) are up to the challenge.
CATCHERS
Behind the plate, senior co-captain Erin Glasco (Johnston City, Ill.) brings a wealth of experience, catching almost every pitch last season after transferring to A&M from Notre Dame. Freshman Eden Morris (Cohutta, Ga.) will provide Glasco some relief at the catching position.
INFIELD
The A&M infield has some familiar faces, starting with junior Macie Morrow (Sugar Land, Texas) and sophomore Natalie Villarreal (Frisco, Texas). Morrow returns at shortstop, while Villarreal digs her spikes in for another season at second base. When she's not in the circle, Kliesing will see time at first base along with freshman Taryn Broussard (Lake Jackson, Texas). A&M's third departure from 2008 was third baseman, Jamie Hinshaw. Junior Alex Reynolds (Tomball, Texas) will take over the hot corner with sophomore Holly Ridley (Sugar Land, Texas) and sophomore Bailey Schroeder (College Station, Texas) and sophomore Jami Lobpries, was lost to graduation.
A&M IN SEASON OPENERS
The Aggies are 27-3 in season openers and have won the first game of the season every year under Coach Evans. The last time A&M lost a season opener was in 1994.
SCOUTING TULSA
The Golden Hurricane return 13 letterwinners and nine starters from last year's team that finished its season at the Norman Regional with a 34-25 record. John Bargfeldt is in his fifth year at the helm of the program with a 98-77 career record. The Aggies lead the all-time series 9-1 and have not faced Tulsa since last defeating the Hurricane on a neutral site in 10 innings, 4-3, on Feb. 9, 2001.
SCOUTING UTSA
The Roadrunners return eight letterwinners and six starters from a 2008 squad that went 25-25. UTSA is led by fourth-year head coach Lori Cook who holds an 89-70 career record. A&M leads the all-time series 26-6 and won the last meeting, 7-1, on Feb. 18, 2007 in College Station.
A&M IN THE POLLS
The Aggies are ranked 5th in the USA Today/NFCA Top 25 Poll and 10th in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25. A&M's 2009 opponents appearing in the polls are No. 6/10 Oklahoma, No. 7 Arizona, No. 13/16 Houston, No. 16/19 Missouri and No. 17/19 LSU. Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma State and Texas also received votes.
BIG 12 PRESEASON POLL
A&M was selected to finish third in the Big 12 Preseason Coaches' Poll. Oklahoma was chosen as the preseason favorite followed Missouri, the Aggies, Texas, Nebraska and Baylor. Oklahoma State, Kansas, Texas Tech and Iowa State filled the remaining spots in the preseason rankings.
AGGIE SOFTBALL ON TV
The Aggies are slated to have two regular season games televised: Feb. 14 at LSU (Cox Sports Television) and May 2 at Texas (ESPN). The Big 12 Tournament Championship game on May 10 will be broadcast on FSN.