DEFENDING SLC SOFTBALL CHAMPS FINISH FALL WORKOUTS
11/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Nov. 5, 2007
ARLINGTON - With six returning position players and the entire pitching staff coming back for 2008, the UT Arlington softball team had some questions to answer as the fall scrimmage season came to an end last week.
Among them:
Can the Mavericks handle the pressure of being one of the favorites to repeat as SLC regular-season champions?
Who will replace Dee Jay Nelson at first base and Courtney Anderson at third?
Will the Mavericks really have four quality pitchers?
Although the fall season is short, and games don't count in the standings, Mavericks coach Debbie Hedrick said she is becoming more and more satisfied with the answers that fall session brought to Allan Saxe Field. Veteran leadership appears to be in place, and the program's high expectations after last season have forced a businesslike attitude.
UTA finished 36-16 overall and 17-5 in conference play.
"We know that teams in our conference will be fired up to play us because of the success that we had last year, and you know, that's OK with our players," Hedrick said. "That's the position you want to be in. We're approaching this season just like we did last year. We want to work hard, continue to improve and peak at the right time."
The Mavericks have a few infield options when it comes to replacing Nelson, although her team-high 14 home runs will certainly be missed. Incoming freshman Rebecca Collom from New Boston HS has the upper hand as fall practice ended to take over at first.
At third base, another freshman could be in the lead to replace Anderson.
Hedrick says freshman Whitney Simpson had a solid fall defensively and will also be counted on to hit for power.
"Our freshmen have looked good in the fall, which is comforting for the coaching staff," Hedrick said. "We're expecting them to come in, play right away and contribute for us."
One of the biggest reasons UTA will be picked to finish among the SLC's best this year is pitching. Senior Laura Jones won 15 games last year, and sophomore Heather Fortenberry won 13. Both are back, along with sophomore Cara Hulme. Add incoming freshman Cassandra Nordie to the mix, and Hedrick is understandably optimistic.
"When you get into some of these tournaments, you need depth on your pitching staff, and we should have it," she said. "We'll have a senior, two sophomores and a freshman. They won't all pitch when the conference season gets here, but it sure is nice to know that if somebody gets hurt, you have somebody else who can get the job done."
