BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – With just a few days away until the opening day of the 2021 campaign, Texas A&M softball welcomes back a skilled outfield cast of eight returners along with four newcomers.
The veteran roster is highlighted by lone senior Kelbi Fortenberry, alongside juniors Makinzy Herzog, Madi Jatzlau, Taudrea Sinnie and Morgan Smith. Underclassmen contributors include sophomores Shaylee Ackerman, Jourdyn Campbell and Star Ferguson as well as freshmen Mayce Allen, Alexis Tippit, Grace Uribe and Bre Warren.
"We have tremendous depth in the outfield this season," head coach Jo Evans said. "Our strength is in our speed and range at every position."
#7 Kelbi Fortenberry (Sr.| East Bernard, Texas)
Fortenberry started in all 26 games during the shortened 2020 season, leading the team in at-bats (86) and pacing the team in triples (3). The East Bernard, Texas, native tallied 18 runs and 25 hits along with a perfect eight-for-eight stolen base record. The power lefty had a total of six multi-hit games and ended the season on an eight-game hitting streak.
#24 Makinzy Herzog (Jr.| Missouri City, Texas)
During her first season as an Aggie, Herzog led the team in batting average (.415), runs (29), hits (34), home runs (6), and total bases (67). The junior tallied 11 doubles, ranking her second on the team and eighth in the nation. On the bases, she swiped 11 on 13 attempts to lead the Maroon & White. The two-way threat is a force in the circle as well as in the outfield.
#12 Madi Jatzlau (Jr.| Giddings, Texas)
Known for her speed, Jatzlau is the team's speedy pinch-runner. The junior recorded five stolen bases while totaling eight runs for the Aggies. In her career, she has appeared in 71 games, scored 23 runs and registered seven stolen bases.
#1 Taudrea Sinnie (Jr.| Nevada, Texas)
Sinnie made appearances in 12 games including one start for the Maroon & White. The Nevada, Texas, native recorded three at-bats along with five runs and two stolen bases to conclude the shortened 2020 season. In her career, she owns a .231 batting average with 22 runs, nine hits, one double and five RBI.
#23 Morgan Smith (Jr.| Lake Jackson, Texas)
Smith ended the 2020 season ranked second on the team in batting average with a .340 mark. She saw action in 24 games including 22 starts. Smith led the team in walks with 17 and finished with a team-high on-base percentage of .514. The junior placed second on the team with a .660 slugging percentage, belting four home runs while logging two doubles and a triple for 33 RBI.
#10 Shaylee Ackerman (So.| Mesa, Arizona)
As a freshman, Ackerman started 10 of the 18 games in which she saw action. In her 35 at-bats on the season, she compiled six hits, one triple and three RBI. Recruited as a pitcher and outfielder, the right-hander should be spotted more in the circle come the 2021 season.
#13 Jourdyn Campbell (So.| Kingwood, Texas)
Campbell appeared in all 26 games for the Maroon & White in her rookie year. After spending her freshman campaign in the infield, Campbell has made the transition to the outfield. She led the Aggies with 13 doubles while recording 15 RBI. Campbell ranked second in the nation in doubles and eighth in doubles per game to help post her .329 batting average. In her 70 at-bats she tallied 23 hits.
#19 Star Ferguson (So.| Sugar Land, Texas)
Primarily depended upon for her defensive efforts, Ferguson made appearances in 20 games. The Sugar Land, Texas, native went 1 for 3 on the season, while tallying three runs.
#5 Mayce Allen (Fr.| Frisco, Texas)
Allen comes in as a four-year starter at Frisco Independence High School. During those years, she was depended on as a third baseman, shortstop, centerfielder and saw time behind the plate. She was ranked 97 on FloSoftball's Hot 100 list alongside her 17th place finish as a catcher by Extra Inning Softball. This diverse skill set warranted District 13-5A MVP recognition in 2019, First Team All-Metroplex and All-Area recognition.
#9 Alexis Tippit (Fr.| Troy, Texas)
Tippit is welcomed to Aggieland after a four-year stint playing centerfield for Troy High School. Her athletic repertoire includes multiple seasons in track & field, volleyball and basketball. She is a three-time Troy High School Athlete of the Year along with being named MaxPreps Athlete of the Week in 2018 and 2019.
#8 Grace Uribe (Fr.| Huntington Beach, California)
Uribe was named Orange County Pitcher of the Year and The Los Angeles Times Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019. She brings her talent into the circle and the outfield. She found herself ranked No. 24 by FloSoftball, No. 50 on the 2020 Extra Elite Top 100 list and No. 25 by Extra Inning Softball as a pitcher. These efforts translated into the batter's box, resulting in five home runs, 23 RBI to compile a .385 batting average.
#4 Bre Warren (Fr.| College Station, Texas)
Local talent Bre Warren joins the Aggies after spending her high school career at College Station High School. Warren played third base and centerfield for the Cougars to help lead them to a 21-5 finish her sophomore year. She was ranked No. 89 in the country and No. 29 in 2018 and 2019, respectively. As a senior, she found herself in the No. 9 position. Along with her efforts on the dirt, she was a four-year letterwinner on the volleyball court.
The veteran roster is highlighted by lone senior Kelbi Fortenberry, alongside juniors Makinzy Herzog, Madi Jatzlau, Taudrea Sinnie and Morgan Smith. Underclassmen contributors include sophomores Shaylee Ackerman, Jourdyn Campbell and Star Ferguson as well as freshmen Mayce Allen, Alexis Tippit, Grace Uribe and Bre Warren.
"We have tremendous depth in the outfield this season," head coach Jo Evans said. "Our strength is in our speed and range at every position."
#7 Kelbi Fortenberry (Sr.| East Bernard, Texas)
Fortenberry started in all 26 games during the shortened 2020 season, leading the team in at-bats (86) and pacing the team in triples (3). The East Bernard, Texas, native tallied 18 runs and 25 hits along with a perfect eight-for-eight stolen base record. The power lefty had a total of six multi-hit games and ended the season on an eight-game hitting streak.
#24 Makinzy Herzog (Jr.| Missouri City, Texas)
During her first season as an Aggie, Herzog led the team in batting average (.415), runs (29), hits (34), home runs (6), and total bases (67). The junior tallied 11 doubles, ranking her second on the team and eighth in the nation. On the bases, she swiped 11 on 13 attempts to lead the Maroon & White. The two-way threat is a force in the circle as well as in the outfield.
#12 Madi Jatzlau (Jr.| Giddings, Texas)
Known for her speed, Jatzlau is the team's speedy pinch-runner. The junior recorded five stolen bases while totaling eight runs for the Aggies. In her career, she has appeared in 71 games, scored 23 runs and registered seven stolen bases.
#1 Taudrea Sinnie (Jr.| Nevada, Texas)
Sinnie made appearances in 12 games including one start for the Maroon & White. The Nevada, Texas, native recorded three at-bats along with five runs and two stolen bases to conclude the shortened 2020 season. In her career, she owns a .231 batting average with 22 runs, nine hits, one double and five RBI.
#23 Morgan Smith (Jr.| Lake Jackson, Texas)
Smith ended the 2020 season ranked second on the team in batting average with a .340 mark. She saw action in 24 games including 22 starts. Smith led the team in walks with 17 and finished with a team-high on-base percentage of .514. The junior placed second on the team with a .660 slugging percentage, belting four home runs while logging two doubles and a triple for 33 RBI.
#10 Shaylee Ackerman (So.| Mesa, Arizona)
As a freshman, Ackerman started 10 of the 18 games in which she saw action. In her 35 at-bats on the season, she compiled six hits, one triple and three RBI. Recruited as a pitcher and outfielder, the right-hander should be spotted more in the circle come the 2021 season.
#13 Jourdyn Campbell (So.| Kingwood, Texas)
Campbell appeared in all 26 games for the Maroon & White in her rookie year. After spending her freshman campaign in the infield, Campbell has made the transition to the outfield. She led the Aggies with 13 doubles while recording 15 RBI. Campbell ranked second in the nation in doubles and eighth in doubles per game to help post her .329 batting average. In her 70 at-bats she tallied 23 hits.
#19 Star Ferguson (So.| Sugar Land, Texas)
Primarily depended upon for her defensive efforts, Ferguson made appearances in 20 games. The Sugar Land, Texas, native went 1 for 3 on the season, while tallying three runs.
#5 Mayce Allen (Fr.| Frisco, Texas)
Allen comes in as a four-year starter at Frisco Independence High School. During those years, she was depended on as a third baseman, shortstop, centerfielder and saw time behind the plate. She was ranked 97 on FloSoftball's Hot 100 list alongside her 17th place finish as a catcher by Extra Inning Softball. This diverse skill set warranted District 13-5A MVP recognition in 2019, First Team All-Metroplex and All-Area recognition.
#9 Alexis Tippit (Fr.| Troy, Texas)
Tippit is welcomed to Aggieland after a four-year stint playing centerfield for Troy High School. Her athletic repertoire includes multiple seasons in track & field, volleyball and basketball. She is a three-time Troy High School Athlete of the Year along with being named MaxPreps Athlete of the Week in 2018 and 2019.
#8 Grace Uribe (Fr.| Huntington Beach, California)
Uribe was named Orange County Pitcher of the Year and The Los Angeles Times Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019. She brings her talent into the circle and the outfield. She found herself ranked No. 24 by FloSoftball, No. 50 on the 2020 Extra Elite Top 100 list and No. 25 by Extra Inning Softball as a pitcher. These efforts translated into the batter's box, resulting in five home runs, 23 RBI to compile a .385 batting average.
#4 Bre Warren (Fr.| College Station, Texas)
Local talent Bre Warren joins the Aggies after spending her high school career at College Station High School. Warren played third base and centerfield for the Cougars to help lead them to a 21-5 finish her sophomore year. She was ranked No. 89 in the country and No. 29 in 2018 and 2019, respectively. As a senior, she found herself in the No. 9 position. Along with her efforts on the dirt, she was a four-year letterwinner on the volleyball court.