Feb. 15, 2005

ABILENE, Texas - Many teams like to use the term rebuilding when they are in a transition stage, for the Hardin-Simmons Softball team building is the right word.

"It is never easy to start from scratch," said second-year head Rita Jordan. "We went through some growing pains in our first year last year, but we laid a foundation. The group of girls I have now really want to build on that and raise the bar of this program."

An infusion of talented players that are passionate about softball has been the biggest difference the two seasons. Last season the Cowgirls decided to have a team in June and by that time most of the best players in the area had committed elsewhere. The team a year ago was filtered with players, which had little or no college experience at softball.

"We had a good team last year to start building this program," said Jordan. "I am proud that the players we had last year came in and worked to help build a program and I am grateful for that. They played hard and a 10-27-1 record in the first year of the program surprised several teams. We are shooting for bigger goals this season."

The Cowgirls have added some championship caliber talent to the roster and it starts with Arin Spence a sophomore pitcher and infielder from Abilene High. She transferred to the Cowgirls from Angelo State, where she pitched the Rambelles to the NCAA Division II Championship as a freshman.

"Arin is a super talented lady, that sets the bar as far as work ethic," Jordan said. "Her ability to work has filtered down through this team and she has shown them the way. She has been there on the college level. She makes us an immediate contender for the ASC title, not only on the mound but in the infield and with her bat in the top of the lineup."

HSU was picked third in the preseason ASC West poll, but the team has much higher goals.

"We want to get to the conference tournament and win it to get to the NCAAs," said Jordan. "Those aren't goals set by the coaches either. They are set by the team. If you get into a regional then you never know what can happen. These girls have the talent to play with anybody. They buy into the family concept we have around here and believe in themselves."

The Cowgirls will likely have only one returning player in the starting lineup in sophomore Miranda Rousset. She will play in the outfield and also play at shortstop when Spence is pitching. Second baseman Mia Lopez, catcher Jessica Stover and leftfielder Brittney Henry are the other three players that return from a year ago. All three are fighting for time and have been a big lift for the team from a leadership standpoint.

"Those four women are the only ones that have stuck it out," Jordan said. "They come to practice everyday to work hard and they are vocal leaders. They will all help us win games this year."

A pair of junior college transfers will man center and right field for the Cowgirls. Nicole Cortez, a transfer from Midland College, will play centerfield. She is very fast and has a good short game at the plate. She shows the ability to be a catalyst and provides leadership for the team. Katy Chester, who played at Western Texas College, covers a lot of ground in right and is an excellent hitter at the top of the lineup.

Rousset, Henry and freshman Emily Schlebach are battling it out for the leftfield spot. All can run in the outfield and also have the ability to handle the bat in any situation.

Third base will be held by one of three players: Sadye Hill, Jennifer Cooper and Spence. Hill will likely play third when Spence is pitching and Cooper will be the catcher for Spence. All three are power hitters that will hit in the middle of the lineup.

Spence, Cooper and Rousett will all see time at shortstop, depending on who is pitching and second base is coming down to a battle between freshman Courtney Stewart and Lopez.

Hill and Lydia Bradley will start at first base. Bradley will also see time as a catcher, along with Cooper and Stover.

"We can mix and match a lot of different ways on the infield," Jordan said. "It is good to have some players that can play multiple positions. We have depth at every position and we are also very talented offensively and defensively.

Any good softball team starts in the circle and the Cowgirls are counting on four talented arms to work most of the innings.

Spence will see a lot of the action with her pinpoint control and well above average fastball, but Sarah Lemmons a former All-ASC selection at Mary Hardin Baylor will also get plenty of time. Lemmons gives the Cowgirls a lefthander. Freshman Megan Murrey will be in the rotation. She has good control and throws strikes. Kati Winkler will add depth on the mound.

"We will compete on the mound," said Jordan. "All four of the girls we have will be able to win games for us."

The Cowgirls will have a strong bench as well. Casey Winterroth, a catcher and first baseman, is a transfer from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Tanya Hargis is an outfield and shortstop from Odessa College. Freshmen Kati Winkler, Hailey Wilkinson and Ashley Abney give the Cowgirls some talented outfield depth. Kaysey Pollan is recovering from shoulder surgery and Christy Boland will see some action at third base.

"As hard as the girls are working and as talented and passionate as they are about the game, there is no reason this team can't win some trophies this season," said Jordan.