SB: Mavericks open fall practice looking to build on foundation
9/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Sept. 22, 2014
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ARLINGTON, Texas - With renovations underway at Allan Saxe Field, the UT Arlington softball team is looking to build its own foundation as the team opened fall practice on Monday morning.
ARLINGTON, Texas - With renovations underway at Allan Saxe Field, the UT Arlington softball team is looking to build its own foundation as the team opened fall practice on Monday morning.
The Mavericks are heading into their third season under the direction of UT Arlington coach Kristie Fox, and have the leadership of seven upperclassmen, as well as the full batting order from 2014.
"Our upperclassmen are catching on to what the expectations are," Fox said. "They are doing a good job in helping the younger classmen in what I expect and, more importantly, my vocabulary."
Fox said the team will be focusing on what it can control on the field during fall practice, as well as helping gain experience for a young pitching staff.
"The two key words that we have always had but are going to get back to are attitude and effort," Fox said. "We are going to review the fundamentals early on. I really like the enthusiasm of our young class and they have done a good job in these last few weeks."
Nina Villanueva is one of three seniors that Fox will lean on during the fall for leadership. The 2014 first team All-Sun Belt Conference selection led the Mavs with a .348 batting average and had a team-high 39 RBI. Villanueva said a focus for her during the fall will be staying positive, a message she echoed to the newcomers as they prepared for practice.
"It is important to not get down on yourself and stay positive," Villanueva said. "Fall practice is hard. You are going to make mistakes and you just have to get through it."
Playing alongside Villanueva in the UTA infield, senior Meagan Michele is entering her fourth year in the program. The third baseman holds high expectations for the season ahead.
"We have most of our team back from last year and we know how the fall practice goes," Michele said. "I think we have a lot of good talent from our returning players and our newcomers, and I think we will be really good this year because we have a lot of leadership."
The returning group of Mavericks is facing a new challenge this fall that has broken their routine. Home, at least for now, isn't Allan Saxe Field. UTA's field is undergoing a complete renovation that will add new locker rooms, coaching offices, a playing surface and seating. This construction has sent the team to the University's intramural fields for fall practice.
"They are really excited about the new facility," Fox said. "Obviously this is not the best scenario being here on the intramural fields, but we really appreciate the campus letting us use these facilities. Seeing the work every day gives us something to look forward to and work hard for, and having that pride in being a UT Arlington Maverick."
Construction is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2015 season.
Players Mentioned
Infield
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First Base
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Wednesday, March 05
Tuesday, April 02
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