Feb. 11, 2010
Complete Release in PDF Format 
COLLEGE STATION, Texas -
The Texas A&M softball team kicks off the 2010 season on the road this weekend against several top teams at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. Friday the Aggies open with Wisconsin followed by No. 11 California. A&M will also face Nevada, host and No. 5 Arizona State, and Cal State Northridge. Four of five opponents this weekend are either nationally ranked or receiving votes.
Coming off of its eighth straight and 20th overall NCAA Tournament appearance, the Aggies return 10 letterwinners from last year's 32-22 squad, including 2009 All-Big 12 first team honoree Rhi Kliesing. Joining her in the circle are sophomore Rebecca Arbino and two of seven newcomers, Melissa Dumezich and Arizona transfer, Lindsey Sisk.
Kliesing returns as the top hitter and pitcher from last year's team, but watch out for freshman Meagan May at the plate. In the fall, May led the offense with five home runs and 14 RBIs in just eight games. Dumezich also added two longs balls this fall.
Head coach Jo Evans begins her 14th season at the helm of Aggie softball and carries with her an 814-465-2 career record, which ranks 15th among active Division I softball coaches.
Live stats and live audio will be provided for every game this weekend on AggieAthletics.com. Fans can listen to Sports Radio 1150 The Zone for Sunday's game against the Matadors. In addition, the Aggies first four contests will be broadcast live on KNDE-FM's HD3 channel, Play x REPlay (95.1-3 on the FM dial of an HD Radio), making it available worldwide on any iPhone, iPod Touch, Blackberry or PDA free of charge. Log on to radioaggieland.com for more information.
A&M IN SEASON OPENERS
The Aggies are 28-3 in season openers and have won the first game of the season every year under Evans. The last time A&M lost a season opener was in 1994.
AGGIES IN THE POLLS
Texas A&M is receiving votes in both the USA Today/NFCA and the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 Preseason Polls. The Aggies' 2010 opponents appearing in the polls are No. 5/7 Arizona State, No. 9 Missouri, No. 10/11 Oklahoma, No. 11/12 California, No. 13/14 Georgia Tech and No. 15/17 Baylor. In addition, Nevada, Oklahoma State, Texas, Nebraska, San Diego State, Oregon, Mississippi State, Cal State Northridge and Houston are receiving votes.
ON DECK
The Aggies are on the road for their first six games of the season and after returning from Tempe, Ariz., they head to Sam Houston State Wednesday for a 4 p.m. game against the Bearkats. A&M's home opener is set for Friday, Feb. 19 against Mississippi State in the Aggie Classic. The team remains in the comfortable confines of the Aggie Softball Complex for seven straight.
SCOUTING WISCONSIN
The Badgers finished the 2009 season with a 15-40 overall record and were 3-17 in Big 10 play. The team graduated five seniors but picked up star recruit, freshman Abby Gregory. Gregory finished her senior season with a .557 batting average and 40 RBIs, striking out just five times. She posted a .968 slugging percentage after hitting four home runs, nine doubles, and nine triples. Texas A&M is 2-0 against Wisconsin.
SCOUTING CALIFORNIA
The No. 11 California Golden Bears finished the 2009 season at No. 14 with a 38-20 overall record. They finished fifth in the Pac-10 Conference with a 10-10 record. The team lost two players to graduation, but the 2010 team boasts a large senior class, including star pitcher Marissa Drewrey who earned team highs last season in earned run average (2.12), wins (24), strikeouts (238), and opposing batting average (.212). Texas A&M is 9-4 against California.
SCOUTING NEVADA
Nevada is coming off of the 2009 season with a 40-19 overall record and tied for first in conference play with a 15-5 WAC record. The Wolf Pack graduated five seniors but returns 10 letterwinners, including senior pitcher Katie Holverson who led the team in 2009 with a 1.70 ERA and junior slugger Noelle Micka who finished the season with a .361 batting average after 44 runs on 73 hits. Texas A&M leads the series against Nevada 2-0.
SCOUTING ARIZONA STATE
The Sun Devils ended the 2009 season at No. 5 with a 47-19 record and a 10-11 record in conference play. The 2008 national champions made their fourth consecutive trip to the Women's College World Series before being eliminated by Alabama. The team returns seven starters, including sophomore pitching standout Hillary Bach. Bach broke the Arizona State record for most wins in a season with 31 in 2009. Joining her is sophomore Taylor Haro, who finished the 2009 with a .410 batting average and 21 runs on 25 hits. Texas A&M is 5-12 against the No. 5 Sun Devils.
SCOUTING CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE
The Matadors went 29-21 during last year and finished fourth in the Big West Conference with a 9-12 record. Cal State Northridge returns eight starters. Senior Alexandria Alvarado ended 2009 with 11 doubles and 19 runs, while classmate Christina Saenz had 24 RBIs and crossed the plate 18 times. Senior Jaclyn Rymer posted a .319 batting average, 31 runs and 10 stolen bases. Texas A&M leads the series 4-2.
BIG 12 PRESEASON POLL
A&M was picked to finish sixth in the Big 12 Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Aggies received 44 points and finished behind preseason favorite Oklahoma (79), Missouri (75), Baylor (61), Nebraska (49), and Texas (48). A&M was selected as the frontrunner for three consecutive years, from 2006-08, and was picked third last season. Oklahoma State placed seventh with 41 points, followed by Iowa State (23), Kansas (17) and Texas Tech (14).
AGGIE SOFTBALL ON TV
The Aggies are one of just four Big 12 schools to have a regular season game televised on ESPN this season. A&M's contest against Missouri on April 25 will air on ESPN. In addition, the Big 12 Tournament title game will be broadcast on FSN.