Trinity Softball Preview/Recap

Trinity University Tigers fourth-year softball coach Nicole Smith knows she lost some talented players following the 2009 season. But, Coach Smith has seven returning starters and a talented group of newcomers to work with during the 2010 campaign.

Standouts Jamie Williams (shortstop), Lee Smith (second base), and Kate Wright (outfielder) all graduated. Senior infielder Christina Carni elected not to play this year because of injuries.

"We did lose some good players," Coach Smith said, "but the sophomores and our pitching staff got a lot of playing time last year. The offense will really pick up the slack. They should be able to score runs, as we have in the past. We still have the speed and aggressiveness on the bases."

The Tigers open their season Feb. 13, at Texas Lutheran University in nearby Seguin. Huston-Tillotson is the first home opponent for Trinity, on Feb. 16, marking the first of 10 dates on the Tigers' field. Millsaps is the first home SCAC opponent, on March 19-20, followed by Southwestern on April 17-18. The SCAC Tournament is slated for April 23-25 at Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. At stake is the automatic berth for the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Trinity completed the 2009 season with a 13-22 overall record, and was 10-6 in the SCAC. The Tigers hosted the six-team, double-elimination SCAC Championship Tournament April 24-26. Trinity opened the 2009 tournament with a 12-5 victory over Millsaps. Eventual champion DePauw University beat the Tigers 3-1, and Trinity was eliminated by a 4-0 loss to Rhodes College.

During the regular season series, the Tigers beat SCAC foes Austin College, Colorado College and Hendrix 3-1. Southwestern was a 3-1 series winner over Trinity. "Conference is getting tougher and tougher each year," coach Smith added. "It will be tough, but our players will be up to the task."

Tiger sophomore outfielder Karen MacPherson of Allen, Texas (Allen), was named to the All-Tournament Team. MacPherson batted .417 (5-12), with one double, one RBI, two runs and a stolen base. MacPherson was later elected to the All-SCAC First Team, in voting by conference head coaches. The talented MacPherson definitely made her mark on the Tigers. She set a Trinity single-season record of 31 stolen bases, out of 34 attempts. MacPherson's batting average of .402 (49-122) is the fourth-best season mark in Trinity history. She hit two doubles, three triples, one home run and had nine RBIs, along with 11 walks and 32 runs. MacPherson was ranked No. 6 in the nation by the NCAA Division in stolen bases per game (.89 per game over 35 appearances). In addition, MacPherson was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-West Region Third Team.

Sophomore pitcher Brittany Losey of nearby Schertz, Texas (Clemens), made the All-SCAC Second Team. Losey sported an 11-10 record, with a team-best ERA of 4.59. She hurled 108.1 innings, allowing 125 hits, 102 runs (71 earned) and 60 walks, while striking out 28 batters. Her opponents hit .274.

Rachel Garrett, a sophomore outfielder from Round Rock, Texas (Round), was selected for the All-SCAC Honorable Mention team. Garrett made the Tigers' single-season top-20 list for runs scored (26). Garrett hit .321 (35-109), with one double, seven RBIs, seven walks, 26 runs and 19 stolen bases (of 20 attempts).  

Junior first baseman Alexa Calderon of Eagle Pass, Texas (Eagle Pass), received All-SCAC Honorable Mention honors after one season with the Tigers. Calderon, who transferred from SCAC member Colorado College, batted .273 (27-99), with one home run, 16 RBIs, nine walks, and 19 runs. She cracked the Tigers' top-10 list for career and single-season doubles, with eight. Calderon had a fielding average of .969 (238 put outs, eight assists, eight errors).

Senior pitcher Helen Thompson of McLean, Va. (McLean), had a record of 1-2, one save, and an ERA of 5.21.Thompon pitched 49.2 innings and allowed 45 runs (37 earned), 63 hits, 22 walks and struck out 25 batters. She is sixth in career appearances, with 37. The Tiger pitching staff had an ERA of 5.15. Sophomore pitcher Annie Clarke of Austin, Texas (Austin), went 1-7 (one save) with a 5.79 ERA. Clarke hurled 48.1 innings, allowed 40 earned runs, 31 walks, and fanned 23 batters. Caitlin Richards, a senior catcher from San Antonio (Clark), appeared in only 12 games, because of an injury, and batted .233 (7-30). Richards scored one run, hit a double and two RBIs, along with four walks. She had a fielding percentage of .929 (35 put outs, four assists, three errors). Junior outfielder Teresa Greppi, elected to the All-SCAC Sportsmanship Team, is studying abroad this season.

In November 2009, Garrett, Losey, Greppi and Smith received the 2009 NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete Award. The NFCA presents the awards to softball team members with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher during an academic year.

Trinity batted .307 (288-939) and opponents hit .295 (275-931).The Tigers were ranked No. 33 nationally in stolen bases per game (1.89).

Seven first-year players join the Tiger ranks this season.

Infielder Megan Russell of Fort Worth, Texas (Boswell), her class valedictorian, was a Fort Worth Star-Telegram Super Team member, as well as being elected to the first team all-district. Outfielder Lindsay Weyand of Allen, Texas (Allen), was a second-team all-district honoree for two years, and made the academic all-state team. Pitcher Sydney Friday of Sugar Land, Texas (The Kinkaid School), was an All-Southwest Preparatory Conference recipient for four years. Sarah Rabaey, a pitcher from Round Rock (Round Rock), was the district co-pitcher of the year. Catcher Ana Garcia of Austin (Bowie) made the academic all-district team. Utility player Becca Rush of Sugar Land, Texas (Travis); and infielder Nicole Powers of Pearland, Texas (Alvin); will add to the Tigers' depth this season.

"We have a pretty young team," coach Smith said. "All of our underclassmen are talented. It will be exciting to see them in action as the year progresses."