SB: Mavs open fall practice with high energy
9/30/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Sept. 30, 2015
By Brooke Ortale | UTAMavs.com
ARLINGTON, Texas - Fresh off a record-breaking 2015 campaign, the UT Arlington softball team has begun its fall practice with an abundance of energy and positivity.
"It's really exciting," fourth-year coach Kristie Fox said. "We have a lot of new people, so blending the new group with the girls that have a little bit of experience has been exciting. They have great energy, so every day has been fun so far."
The 2015 team broke a number of offensive records and coach Fox is looking to improve on both sides of the ball.
"We want to continue with the legacy we set offensively," Fox said. "It's going to be a little bit more difficult losing some pop in our lineup, but we are going to be looking for more doubles this year. We also really want to take care of the ball more defensively. We are going to have a really young infield and that's what the fall is about, getting them ready for the spring."
The Mavericks return 14 letterwinners from last year and have brought in nine newcomers that have provided a spark for the Mavs.
"They have a bunch of energy," junior pitcher Sam Montes said. "Our freshmen are alive. They never slow down. They are always hustling on and off the field. Comparing last year to this year, we have so many more freshmen and seeing all of them mesh with us so quick, it's been awesome."
With the Mavericks losing two impact players in Nina Villanueva and Meagan Michele to graduation, leadership opportunities have opened and sophomore infielder Sandra Mendoza has shown early signs of stepping into them.
"I really want to be a good role model to the whole team." Mendoza said. "I want to show the younger girls that they can also lead by example and as along they do things right, we will be better as a whole."
Fox said the incoming freshmen have brought an atmosphere of competitiveness, creating excitement for what's to come for UTA softball and the 2016 season.
Details regarding the 2016 schedule will be released soon. Follow @UTASoftball for news and updates.
