Trinity Softball 2010-11 Preview

First-year Trinity softball coach Selena Collins has stated the team’s mission as the Tigers prepare for the 2011 campaign.

Coach Collins, who was an assistant at Sam Houston State, and an All-America player at Texas A&M,  subscribes to the idea that defensive skills are essential to the success of a team.

“I’m a big defensive type of coach,” says Coach Collins, “and we are going to be working really hard on defense this spring. I think our defense will help keep the runs down, and that will allow us the opportunity to score. My goal is to make sure we are ready for all types of situations. But, we will definitely incorporate our offense. I was a hitter when I played, so I am not taking that lightly at all.”

Coach Collins, along with assistant Brandi Crnkovic, will lead the Tigers as they open the season at home on Feb. 12 against Howard Payne.

Eight players return from the 2010 squad, which went 16-22 during the season. Trinity went 2-2 at the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship Tournament at Conway, Ark. The Tigers (7-7 in SCAC regular-season games) claimed tournament victories over Rhodes and Centre, while losing to Millsaps and eventual champion Southwestern.

Junior outfielder Karen MacPherson (Allen, Texas/Allen) was selected for the All-SCAC Second team. It marked the second straight year MacPherson earned all-conference honors. In the four SCAC Tournament games, MacPherson, who was also named to the All-Tournament Team, batted .429 (6-14), scored four runs, and stole three bases.

During the season, MacPherson led the Tigers in hitting at .339 (42-124), had 10 RBI, and scored 38 runs. The speedy MacPherson, Trinity’s all-time stolen base leader, completed the year with 29 steals, out of 31 attempts. In keeping with the Tigers’ emphasis on defense, MacPherson had a fielding average of .935.

Junior outfielder Rachel Garrett (Round Rock, Texas/Round Rock), made the All-SCAC Honorable Mention Team. Garrett was an All-SCAC honoree for the second straight time. She was second in team batting, at .336 (41-122), cracked 11 RBI, and scored 25 runs. Garrett, who also stole 18-19 bases, had the best fielding percentage (.987).

Sophomore first baseman Megan Russell (Fort Worth, Texas/Boswell) received All-SCAC Honorable Mention recognition. Russell hit .328 (38-116), led the team in RBI (35), swatted two home runs, six doubles, and crossed the plate 25 times. Her fielding percentage was .973, with 234 put outs.

Lindsay Weyand (Wylie, Texas/Allen), a sophomore outfielder, recorded a .306 batting average (30-98), hit 10 RBI, smacked a home run, and accounted for 19 runs. Sophomore catcher Ana Garcia (Austin, Texas/Bowie) was named to the All-SCAC Honorable Mention Team. Garcia, who registered 168 put outs, batted .223 (23-103), made 10 RBI, four doubles, and scored 11 runs.

Sophomore infielder/catcher Rebecca Rush (Richmond, Texas/Travis) drove in 13 runs for the Tigers, while scoring 12.  Another solid infielder is sophomore Nicole Powers (Pearland, Texas/Alvin) who hit .205 (8-39) and scored four runs.

Starting pitcher duties will be fielded by sophomore right-hander Sydney Friday (Sugar Land, Texas/The Kinkaid School), who was elected to the All-SCAC Honorable Mention team. Friday sported an excellent 3.12 ERA, and a 6-9 record. She hurled 103.1 innings and fanned 99 opponents

Senior outfielder Teresa Greppi (Dyer, Ind./The Culver Academies) studied abroad last season and will provide experienced leadership.

A newcomer to the pitcher’s mound is sophomore Colbie Devost (Houston/Lamar). Also pitching, and working the infield, will be first-year player Brooke Sanchez (San Antonio/Marshall), who earned All-District 28-5A honors.

Kayleigh Kinlaw (Waco, Texas/China Spring), a first baseman, was valedictorian of her class, and was named to the Academic All-State Team. Chrissy Armstrong (Riverside, Calif./Ramona) will cover second base and the shortstop positions.

Trinity will host games on 10 dates this season. After the opener with Howard Payne, the Tigers take on Concordia (Austin, Texas) on Feb. 13. Texas Lutheran comes to campus Feb. 16, Evangel March 9, and Hardin-Simmons Feb. 25.

The Tigers open their SCAC schedule at home March 26-27 with Austin College. San Antonio’s Our Lady of the Lake visits Trinity March 30. Closing out the regular-season schedule is Hendrix, in conference games April 16-17.

Coach Collins has an important message for the many fans of Tiger softball.

“The fans will see a high energy team,” Coach Collins says. “They work hard from inning one to inning seven, and after. I want them to see us outplaying our opponent. At the end of the game, they will see that we have left everything we possibly can on that field. I’m hoping the fans will definitely see and feel that energy.”

The SCAC Championship Tournament is slated for April 22-24 at DePauw in Greencastle, Ind. At stake is an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs.