Jan. 30, 2007

ABILENE, Texas - Armed with NCAA experience and conference championship rings, Hardin-Simmons' softball team looks to get back to the postseason with a talented and deep team.

The Cowgirls went 30-12 last season and claimed their first American Southwest Conference title and advanced to the NCAA Championships, where they won their first game.

Most of that team is back and ready to build on the success of a year ago.

"We had a great year, but it is a new year," said fourth-year head coach Rita Jordan. "We will be playing a lot of the same players as last year and I think we have added some pieces that could help us go even further in the NCAAs."

The Cowgirls will always have a chance when senior Arin Spence is in the circle. The ASC pitcher of the year last season was 21-5 with a 2.02 ERA in 155.2 inninga last season. She is back and healthier than she was last season. She also may be the best defensive shortstop in the league and hit .440 with 11 home runs and 47 RBIs. She was named second-team All-American as a utility player.

"Arin is the one we look to for leadership, both in the field and when she is in the circle," said Jordan. "She has been through every situation in her career and now that she is a senior, I can see even more focus than before. She wants this to be her best season."

The Cowgirls have all-region players all over the diamond - starting with Spence but also including first baseman Sadye Hill, designated player and catcher Lydia Bradley and third baseman Cricket Criner.

Hill was an All-American as a freshman and was equally as dangerous last season when she hit .438 with five home runs and 33 RBIs. She was also walked 23 times on the year and led the conference with a .516 on-base percentage. She only struck out seven times on the season.

Junior Courtney Stewart started 40 games at second base and hit .296 on the season. She is a solid defender at second base and she can slap and hit with great speed. She will miss some games as she is nursing school, so finding a key backup is a must before conference play begins.

"Sadye and Courtney have played a lot of games together from travel ball all the way through," Jordan said. "They are both great leaders for our team and they know what it takes to win. They give us a strong right side of the infield. I expect All-American type seasons from both of them. Sadye may be the best offensive weapon in the nation. She is just hard to get out and even when she does get an out it is usually productive.

Spence will play shortstop when she is not pitching. When she is, the position will be manned by the only player to play in all four seasons of the Cowgirl program - Miranda Rousset. The senior missed half of last season with an ankle injury, and was limited to 35 at-bats but she is a career .296 hitter with seven home runs and 33 RBIs. She also is the program's all-time leader in games played.

Freshmen Whitney Faircloth is also battling for time at shortstop as is Kate Bell. Freshman Britney Hall can play at second and third base. Faircloth will also see a lot of time at second base.

Sophomore Cricket Criner brings her slick glove back to play third base after a solid freshman year that saw her hit .353 with five home runs and 37 RBIs. She was the ASC freshman of the year.

"Cricket had a special year for us as a freshman," said Jordan. "She is already one of the top players in the conference and she is at her best in tough situations. She had two home runs in the regionals and she is never flustered. She brings a toughness to our team that we need.

Lydia Bradley and Kate Bell will both play behind the plate and could also both be the designated player. Bell hit .258 with four home runs as a freshman and Bradley was all-region after hitting .346 with four home runs and 32 RBIs. They will both be in the lineup one way or the other.

"Lydia and Kate are two hard workers and they both have strong arms behind the plate. We feel confident in either one of them and they also both can really hit for power."

The outfield is experienced as well as senior Nicole Espinoza is back after hitting .280 with four home runs and 16 RBIs. Katy Chester is back in right field after hitting .363 with two home runs and 23 RBIs.

Rousset will play in centerfield if she is not a shortstop. Ashley Abney will also see time in centerfield as could Spence. They are all trying to replace All-American Nicole Cortez who was the ASC player of the year after hitting .449 with 20 doubles, four triples and four home runs and scoring 44 runs.

Cortez is now serving as a graduate assistant for the team. Doug McIntyre is the Cowgirls new volunteer coach.

"We have some experience and talent in the outfield," said Jordan. "When Miranda is in center we will have three senior starters in the outfield. That is a good position to be in. We are fortunate that we have had some players be forced to play early in their careers and now that will pay off in experienced plays. We should not have many mental breakdowns because of youth, especially in the outfield."

Callie Rice will add depth as a corner outfielder and Katie Shepard will play in left field. The key to the season will be who backs up Spence in the circle. Karie Shuck, a freshman from Arlington, is next in line. Shepard and Espinoza will also get their shot in the circle.

"We have to have someone step up and take the pressure off Arin," said Jordan. "We had to throw her too much last year and I think it caught up with us. She has to have some help from one of the other pitchers. They are all talented, they just have not had the experience in the circle."