KINGSVILLE, Texas – The Texas A&M-Kingsville softball team heads to St. Mary's for the St. Mary's Classic this Saturday thru Monday. The Javelinas will face Southeastern Oklahoma State in the season opener at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

The Javelinas will play five games in all over the weekend. Aside from the Savage Storm, the Javelinas will play UTPB (10 a.m.) and East Central (Noon) on Sunday. They close out the tournament on Monday with games versus Texas A&M-International and St. Edward's at noon and 2 p.m., respectively. The game locations will be split between two sites.

For a complete schedule with game times and locations, live stats, and ticket information click the following link http://bit.ly/1aNFECP.

Kingsville is beginning its fourth season under head coach Ricki Rothbauer and should have improved balance across the board as they look to take steps up the standings in the Lone Star Conference.

"I feel like we have a much more balanced team," said Rothbauer. "We have speed and a little power. The kids have been really hustling in practice and going all out all the time.

"We also have a lot more flexibility in how we can design our lineup. It will allow us to do a better job of matching our strengths against the opponent. We have had the option in recent years."
The biggest area the balance and flexibility will pay offense is at the plate.

"All of the players – eve the slappers have been hitting the ball hard in practice," said Rothbauer. "They are able to find the gaps. As a unit, we are doing a better job of putting the ball where we want it. We are able to do more hitting and running and taking more bases putting pressure on the other team's defense."

On the mound, Rothbauer will have four options to turn to. Last season, the Javelinas relied on just two for much of the season. The added depth provides options in the circle as well.

"We have four kids who can do different things," said the Hoggies mentor. "We have two who can keep the ball down with a curve, and two who work up with a screwball. We are able to give team's different looks. Last season, our pitchers were very similar.

Lauren Denney returns to the Javelinas after seeing limited on the mound last season. She will be joined by a pair of junior college transfers in Katie Tapley and Ariel Kellogg. The fourth member is a freshman from Virgina – Carlie Clark.

"Lauren has been throwing harder than she has and is controlling the zone better," explained Rothbauer. "She is healthy after being banged up quite a bit. Katie is like a sinkerball pitcher and keeps the ball low naturally making it hard for a hitter to get much lift on the ball. Ariel is slight of build and does a better job of keeping the ball on the inside part of the plate.

"Carlie is a lot like Ariel. She likes to throw a rise ball. She just needs to get some game experience at the collegiate level and see how her abilities translate to the college level."

A trio of players is competing for time behind the plate. Taylor McGill is the lone returnee with experience at catcher for the Javelinas. She will be joined by transfer Lindsey May and freshman Myrissa Sanchez.

"Taylor has had sporadic starts in the past," said Rothbauer. "She is a smart player who has the best pop time of the three and seems to have good relationship with the pitching staff. Lindsey has the best vocal presence and does a good job directing the defense. Marissa does a good job of blocking low balls. If you combined all three they would be the perfect catcher."

That being said coach knows offensive production will be a pivotal factor in who starts.

"All three have different strengths that would be beneficial," said the coach. "Whoever is hot at the plate will be the one who plays."

Returning at first base is Adela Gomez. Gomez is the Javelinas top power hitter. She belted 11 home runs with 43 runs batted in. Her .316 average is the tops amongst Kingsville returnees. Chastity Estrello, who has been an invaluable reserve and pinch hitter, has also seen action at first.
"Adela is our top power hitter, but she is also a very good defensive player," said Rothbauer. "She is able to get to a lot of throws and is also is responsible for our cut-offs. Chastity is learning to play first base and is beginning to learn how to read things. She also has the strange ability to come off the bench without having seen a pitch and come up with a big hit."
At second base, senior Bailey Offill and newcomer Erica Graham are neck-and-neck for playing time.
"Erica and Bailey have been comparable defensively at second," said Rothbauer. "Bailey has gotten quite a bit quicker and is covering a lot more ground. She is more of the true second baseman. Erica is a utility player who can move all over to get on the field."
At shortstop, Rothbauer must find a player to replace the graduate Rose Stubbs, who earned all-Lone Star Conference honors after flirting with a .400 average much of the season. Corrine Brassell and Jaeleen Castro are vying for time at the position.
"We have two options to fill the spot," said the coach. "Corrine is one option. She has a quick release and a strong arm. She would have to learn hitters quick at this level. Jaeleen is a true utility player who is more of an outfielder. She has played mostly in left but can play all three spots on the grass, but is also able to play in the dirt. Jaeleen brings a lot of enthusiasm and is a head's up player with good awareness and instincts."
After not playing last season, Valerie Ramirez is set to man the hot corner for the Javelinas.
"Valerie is one of those with great instincts for the game," said Rothbauer. "She does a good job covering bunts. We have been working with her on improving her range so we can shift the shortstop closer to second and help the middle infield.
"Offensively, she is a hard hitting kid who has a lot of bat speed. The ball jumps off her bat. She has the potential to drive in a lot of runs with Adela and Lindsey."
The outfield has three returnees – Cortnee White, Carynn Gonzales and Castro, who according to Rothbauer, are improving drastically under first-year assistant coach Carter McBurnett. Ariana Munoz is in the mix in the grass as could Kellogg.
"Carter has integrated a lot of things in practice to make the girls uncomfortable before having to recover to get the ball," she said. "They trust themselves more and are a lot more aggressive. In the past we have had mistakes in the outfield that allowed the opponent to take extra bases."
The flexibility at so many positions will create depth for the team's designated player spot.
"A lot depends who is pitching and if they hit for themselves," said Rothbauer. "A lot of it will depend on who is hot."
An offseason spent evaluating her program also has Rothbauer in a positive frame of mind.
"When last season came to an end I spent a lot of time evaluating how I needed to coach this team," she said. "We have put an investment into conditioning. (Strength and conditioning coach Lee) Scott has really helped transform us into a quicker team with more power entering the season. We are also working on retaining that during the season."
Aside from being in better condition, Rothbauer and her team have four principles they will try to follow to achieve the team's ultimate goal of playing the LSC Tournament.
"We have four principles we put in place as a program – commitment, enthusiasm, selflessness, and work," said the Javelina coach. "If we get those things in practice and on game day we will be in good position to be successful. Our goal is to play in May as one of the six teams in the LSC Tournament."