HEDRICK GEARS UP FOR FALL BALL
9/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Sept. 24, 2004
UTA softball coach Debbie Hedrick is still months away from the Mavericks season opener at the Texas State Tournament on Feb. 4, 2005, but she is looking forward to another successful season at Allan Saxe Field.
With returning seven starters in addition to a promising group of incoming freshman, the Lady Mavs hope to improve on last year's 24-24-1 record and fourth-place finish in the Southland Conference.
"I am very positive about our returning starters," said Hedrick, entering her ninth year as the Mavericks' head coach. "The maturity of each returning player is evident in their hard work and determination over this past summer."
Back from last year's squad are two of the league's top returning pitchers in junior Jill Garro and sophomore Lauren Hebert.
Garro ranked fourth in the SLC with a 1.61 ERA to carve out a 14-13 record with one save. Hebert was 10th in ERA (2.72) in the league with a 10-9 mark.
Offensively, UTA is led by sophomore Amanda Haney who led the squad with a .293 batting average and junior infielder Jenna Fortune who led the team in home runs (4) and RBIs (25).
"I'm very happy with what I've seen so far, our new girls have made a smooth transition from high school and are diligent workers. By spring I really feel we will be ready to go."
The team begins fall play Oct. 2 at Texas Woman's Fall Tournament. The Maevricks face Paris Junior college at 11 a.m. at the TWU Pioneer Field. IN the afternoon, UTA meets East Oklahoma State University and then will finish up with Texas WOman's at 3:30 p.m.
"The matchups this fall will give us an opportunity to sharpen our skills offensively and allow us to be more mentally prepared," said Hedrick. "I feel we are ready as a team to compete at a higer level of play, and quite possibly contend for the conference title. Some players in particular have demonstrated tendencies of wanting to step up and lead the team. Dee Jay Nelson has become more outspoken about the direction our team is going, and Jenna Fortune's work ethic is a great example for our freshman, and they seem to be picking up on it."
