BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas - As we approach opening day of the 2021 campaign, Texas A&M softball welcomes back a mix of veterans along with three new faces to the infield.
The veteran roster is highlighted by a trio of seniors Dani Elder, Gabby Moreno and Ashlynn Walls. Lone junior Kayla Garcia and sophomore Hailey Gallegos round out the returners. The team adds newcomers Trinity Cannon, Mariana Torres and Rylen Wiggins.
"We return some veterans to our infield as well as some very athletic underclassmen," head coach Jo Evans said. "Our infield is athletic, with good range and strong arms."
#22 Dani Elder (Sr.|League City, Texas)
Elder started 13 of the 16 games she appeared in and collected 10 RBI along the way. The senior posted a .323 batting average notching two home runs and one double. The League City, Texas, native came into her own during the series at Kentucky, blasting a grand slam and home run for a total of eight RBI on the weekend.
#16 Gabby Moreno (Sr.| Montgomery, Texas)
Moreno appeared in two games for the Aggies including one start. Throughout her career, she owns a .229 average at the plate in 34 at-bats. The senior has recorded two doubles, a triple and five RBI.
#20 Ashlynn Walls (Sr.|Pearland, Texas)
Walls appeared and started in 24 games on the dirt for the Aggies. The senior registered 14 hits, four doubles and one home run for a .269 average on the season. On the bases, she held a perfect four-for-four stolen base record.
#17 Kayla Garcia (Jr.| Katy, Texas)
Garcia appeared in 16 games, starting in 15 of them. In her 35 at-bats on the season, she tallied nine hits, three doubles and one triple for five RBI.
#15 Hailey Gallegos (So.| Templeton, California)
Gallegos did not see any action in her rookie campaign but received 2019 AD Academic Honors along with being named to the 2020 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll.
#26 Trinity Cannon (Fr.| Forney, Texas)
Cannon is welcomed home to Aggieland after a three-year stint playing second and third base for Forney High School. The newcomer arrives with a list of awards under her belt highlighted by PGF High School All-American and DFW FP All-Metroplex Senior honors. She found herself ranked No. 27 in the 2020 Extra Elite Top 100 List and No. 26 by FloSoftball. In 2019, Cannon garnered District Offensive Player of the Year along with Extra Inning's First Team All-American Infielder honors.
#27 Mariana Torres (Fr.| Pflugerville, Texas)
Torres was a four-year starter and letterwinner at Hendrickson High School. The freshman is a three-time Hawks Defensive Player of the Year also garnering UIL 13-6A First Team All-District Honors each season. She was named TSWA Class 5A All-State honorable mention while holding UIL District 16-5A MVP. The Pflugerville, Texas, native landed at No. 75 on the 2020 Extra Elite Top 100 List as well as being ranked No. 52 as an infielder by Extra Elite Inning Softball.
#2 Rylen Wiggins (Fr.| Wylie, Texas)
Wiggins enters the program after being a four-year starter at Wylie High School. The shortstop garnered Wylie High School Defensive MVP for three consecutive years. She was named to the Tana Jo All-Tournament Team along with gathering District 6-6A Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman and sophomore. In her junior campaign, she was District 10-6A league's home run leader (12) boosting her way to being named to the DFW Fast-Pitch All-Area First Team.
The veteran roster is highlighted by a trio of seniors Dani Elder, Gabby Moreno and Ashlynn Walls. Lone junior Kayla Garcia and sophomore Hailey Gallegos round out the returners. The team adds newcomers Trinity Cannon, Mariana Torres and Rylen Wiggins.
"We return some veterans to our infield as well as some very athletic underclassmen," head coach Jo Evans said. "Our infield is athletic, with good range and strong arms."
#22 Dani Elder (Sr.|League City, Texas)
Elder started 13 of the 16 games she appeared in and collected 10 RBI along the way. The senior posted a .323 batting average notching two home runs and one double. The League City, Texas, native came into her own during the series at Kentucky, blasting a grand slam and home run for a total of eight RBI on the weekend.
#16 Gabby Moreno (Sr.| Montgomery, Texas)
Moreno appeared in two games for the Aggies including one start. Throughout her career, she owns a .229 average at the plate in 34 at-bats. The senior has recorded two doubles, a triple and five RBI.
#20 Ashlynn Walls (Sr.|Pearland, Texas)
Walls appeared and started in 24 games on the dirt for the Aggies. The senior registered 14 hits, four doubles and one home run for a .269 average on the season. On the bases, she held a perfect four-for-four stolen base record.
#17 Kayla Garcia (Jr.| Katy, Texas)
Garcia appeared in 16 games, starting in 15 of them. In her 35 at-bats on the season, she tallied nine hits, three doubles and one triple for five RBI.
#15 Hailey Gallegos (So.| Templeton, California)
Gallegos did not see any action in her rookie campaign but received 2019 AD Academic Honors along with being named to the 2020 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll.
#26 Trinity Cannon (Fr.| Forney, Texas)
Cannon is welcomed home to Aggieland after a three-year stint playing second and third base for Forney High School. The newcomer arrives with a list of awards under her belt highlighted by PGF High School All-American and DFW FP All-Metroplex Senior honors. She found herself ranked No. 27 in the 2020 Extra Elite Top 100 List and No. 26 by FloSoftball. In 2019, Cannon garnered District Offensive Player of the Year along with Extra Inning's First Team All-American Infielder honors.
#27 Mariana Torres (Fr.| Pflugerville, Texas)
Torres was a four-year starter and letterwinner at Hendrickson High School. The freshman is a three-time Hawks Defensive Player of the Year also garnering UIL 13-6A First Team All-District Honors each season. She was named TSWA Class 5A All-State honorable mention while holding UIL District 16-5A MVP. The Pflugerville, Texas, native landed at No. 75 on the 2020 Extra Elite Top 100 List as well as being ranked No. 52 as an infielder by Extra Elite Inning Softball.
#2 Rylen Wiggins (Fr.| Wylie, Texas)
Wiggins enters the program after being a four-year starter at Wylie High School. The shortstop garnered Wylie High School Defensive MVP for three consecutive years. She was named to the Tana Jo All-Tournament Team along with gathering District 6-6A Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman and sophomore. In her junior campaign, she was District 10-6A league's home run leader (12) boosting her way to being named to the DFW Fast-Pitch All-Area First Team.