Feb. 7, 2007

SAN MARCOS - With three All-Southland Conference players gone from last year's team - Kristin Gunter, Amy Hromadka and 2006 SLC Player of the Year Katie Ann Trahan - Texas State softball coach Ricci Woodard had tremendous holes to fill in key positions at pitcher, first base and left field as well as a huge void in the batting order. Gunter led the 2006 Bobcats in batting average, homeruns and RBIs while Hromadka was second in average and first in runs scored. Trahan's name litters the Bobcat record books in both pitching and hitting, as she ranks second in career strikeouts for a pitcher and also doubles as Texas State's career leader in homeruns.

"The key is whether we can still produce offensively," Woodard said. "We brought in some key kids to help replace what we lost from last year's class graduating."

Five freshmen and two junior transfers make up the newcoming class. The Bobcats will have a relatively young team, with 11 of the 20 players being freshmen and sophomores. However, Woodard still will rely on leadership from veterans like senior Amy Krueger, junior Ashton Peters and others.

Texas State also plays a tough schedule, facing off against several Big 12 teams as well as perennial powers like Alabama and Stanford.

Behind the Plate

Peters and Karen Taylor both return to handle the catching duties, and Woodard is happy with the experience they bring to the staff.

"They're very confident about what they're doing defensively," said Woodard. "Now that they're able to control the pitchers and help run the actual defense, their offensive numbers will go up because they're a little bit more comfortable."

The pair figures to continue to split games, but the staff will try and figure out ways to keep both of them in the offensive lineup.

The Infield

The infield is young with three sophomores and a freshman, but all three returners have several starts under their belts and the look will be virtually identical to last year. Tamara Keller returns at third base after starting in 55 games there in 2006, while shortstop Alex Newton and second baseman Ryan Kos patrol the middle of the infield.

"Alex Newton and Ryan Kos are probably as good as you get up the middle in my opinion," Woodard said.

Freshman Leah Boatright replaces Gunter at first base and is expected to provide a lot of the power. According to Woodard, Boatright had a good fall and should have a good spring.

Sophomore Ali McCormack will also see time around the infield, especially with her offensive abilities. Last season McCormack hit six homeruns in only 51 at bats.

The Outfield

Several players are expected to see action around the outfield this season due to a lot of depth at the position. Freshman Kristina Tello figures to fill the departing Hromadka's shoes in left and could also see some time in center field.

"Tello will probably take the lead off spot and plays a lot like Amy Hromadka. She's going to be a good one before it's all said and done," said Woodard.

Sophomore Jetta Weinheimer looks to be the front-runner to start in center field for the 2007 Bobcats. Woodard says that right field could change depending upon who's producing. Preseason All-SLC First Team member Krueger will probably see the most action in right after playing there the last three seasons, but the Bobcats' depth will allow for Woodard to shuffle her defense as necessary. Woodard expects senior Chelsea Giroux will see a few starts in right because of her defensive prowess and strong arm. Junior transfer Kelsey Cammarata can play any of the three outfield positions and could see time in the field once she learns the Bobcats' system. Returners Haley Koop and Jill Kloesel are also available to help offensively, as is freshman Lacey Duncan.

"(Haley) Koop and (Jill) Kloesel are quick on the basepaths, so depending on what we're doing offensively they'll see some time," said Woodard. "Lacey Duncan has pop in her bat so she'll see some time at the plate."

Overall, Woodard is happy with the way her outfield looks heading into the 2007 season.

"There's a lot of good variety out there and options in the outfield," Woodard said. "It's nice because it puts a little bit more pressure on kids to produce."

Pitchers

Despite the absence of Trahan, Woodard believes the 2007 pitching staff will be one of the strengths of the team. Senior Sarah Lancour returns after winning 13 games and recording 137 strikeouts a year ago. The Bobcats also welcome junior transfer Ragan Blake to the staff from Mississippi State. Blake was named MSU's Pitcher of the Year in 2006 and her performance as a Bulldog earned her preseason All-SLC Second Team honors.

"If you put Ragan Blake and Sarah Lancour in the circle through the majority of your ballgames, they're going to be hard to score runs off of," said Woodard.

Megan Mikeska and Elizabeth Dennis also join the Bobcat pitching staff as freshmen, and Woodard likes the potential with them.

"Our two freshmen bring different things to the table. Megan Mikeska throws the ball hard while Elizabeth Dennis places the ball fairly well and has a lot of different pitches, "said Woodard. "They each bring something different from each other and from Ragan and Sarah, so I think the pitching staff is going to be favored as long as they stay healthy."

Schedule

Woodad believes the 2007 schedule is one of the toughest the team has played in a while with three tournaments before the start of conference play at the end of February.

The Bobcats open up the season hosting Women's College World Series participant Alabama as one of four teams in the CenturyTel Softball Classic, along with defending SLC champion UTSA and Big 12 member Oklahoma State. Texas State will also travel to Houston for the Crowne Plaza Classic and to Miami, Fla., for the adidas-Golden Panther Invitational tournament hosted by Florida International. Competition at the two tournaments includes Houston, LSU, Southern Illinois, Marist and Stanford, who is ranked #7 in the 2007 USA Today/NFCA Preseason Poll.

"I like to put us in tournaments in February that are going to challenge and push us to help us see where we're at and what we need to do in the future," said Woodard. "We like to play a tough schedule in February to hopefully prepare us for May." Alabama and Stanford are going to be tough, and Houston always puts together a good pool of teams.

Fans will be able to see four other Big 12 teams come to San Marcos in addition to Southland foes. Texas A&M visits on March 21 with Texas coming two weeks later on April 4. Baylor will be the final nonconference opponent for the Bobcats when the Bears come to Bobcat field on April 25.

SLC action begins at Texas-Arlington at the end of February before Southeastern Louisiana opens up a 10-game homestand to start the home schedule on March 3. Texas State will also play host to the last two SLC Tournament champions as 2006 champion UTSA returns to Bobcat Field at the end of March and 2005 champ McNeese State closes out the home season on April 28-29. The Bobcats will also face Central Arkansas and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi as newcomers to the SLC. The Bears will travel to San Marcos while the Bobcats will go to Corpus Christi to face the Islanders in the final regular season series.

"You don't have to go very far to get quality competition," Woodard said. "You can stay in the state of Texas and get good, quality softball. The Big 12 and the Southland have only gotten better."

Woodard believes the new teams in the conference only add to the level of competition.

"Adding schools to the Southland will change the mix up a little bit, but I think the conference will be a little stronger this year than it was last year," Woodard said. "I think you'll see an improved Southland schedule."