Feb. 3, 2010

Texas State is coming off a 40-18 season, its fourth SLC Championship and its fourth NCAA Appearance. Sophomore Chandler Hall the 2009 Southland Conference Pitcher and Freshman of the Year and All-Southland Conference third baseman honoree Jenna Emery will take hold of the reins this season. The Bobcats are back and reloaded in 2010 as they prepare to defend both their SLC titles. Texas State has added seven newcomers to the mix, as well as having a wealth of returners on the roster as they enter the new year.

Texas State has a four-member senior class in 2010 that looks to earn their third straight Southland Conference title. The senior class has earned two SLC regular season titles and one SLC tournament title, as they head into their final year. First baseman/outfielder Leah Boatright a three-year starter will see some time in the outfield this season for Texas State. She was hitting .311 before suffering a late season hand injury. Boatright should be 100 percent as the Bobcats try for their second consecutive NCAA appearance. The Bobcats will look to center fielder Kristina Tello for leadership and depth to their lineup. Tello, a speedy slap hitter, hit .250 and started all but one game last season. Right handed pitcher Elizabeth Dennis and outfielder Lacey Duncan have seen limited playing time for Texas State. However, both are valuable and will add depth to the pitching and outfield positions. "I think that leadership is the spot that will be the telling sign of if we are successful this upcoming spring," said head coach Ricci Woodard. "This group hasn't had to step into the leadership role due to the senior class that we lost, but it's going to depend on them to see how the season goes."

"We'll have Jenna Emery at third, with the other three spots potentially going to freshmen," said Woodard. "I think that the freshmen will struggle here and there, but they are great athletes and competitors and it will show. They have a lot of fun. People will enjoy watching them play." Emery, an All-SLC second team honoree will lead Texas State in the infield. After losing both Ryan Kos and Alex Newton up the middle, the Bobcats will have to replace a duo that played together for four years.

Texas State will see two seniors and a junior in the outfield this season. Boatright will see time in the outfield as she makes the transition from first base to right field. Tello, the Bobcats starting center fielder, returns for her senior season, while junior Allyce Rother will be in charge of left field. Rother stepped up big for Texas State near the end of last season, creating some major opportunites for the Bobcats to advance in postseason play. "We will probably move Leah to right field just to get our strongest offense out there. We worked Leah out in right field a lot in the fall and I think she will do a great job in the outfield for us," said Woodard. "The biggest thing we need is her bat in the lineup, along with Haley Lemons and McKenzie Baack. We have got to figure out how to get those three players in the lineup so I think you will see Leah in the outfield some. Allison Snow saw limited action last year and will be joined by freshman Brooke Baker, a native of Houston as they both battle for playing time this season.

Megan Parten started 56 games for the Bobcats last season and returns as the Bobcats number one catcher. Joining Parten behind the plate will be Amye Patrick, who was a sophomore transfer last season, as well as Macie Hair a freshman. "We return Megan behind plate, who gained a lot of experience last year for us," said Woodard. "We also return Amye who is in a much better spot then she was last year after transferring in the Spring. She has learned our system and is now more confident. We also bring in Macie Hair, a freshman that once she gets healthy will be a great addition to the battery."

According to Woodard, the 2010 freshmen class is probably as good as any she has brought in. Great things are expected out of them in the coming years. These six are expected to see playing time right away and should be an exciting group to watch. "Haley Lemons led us offensively throughout the fall and Shelby Carnline has great hands at shortstop," said Woodard. "Anna Hernandez is going to play a new position as she transitions to second base, but she has done a good job. Anne Marie Taylor on the mound is a definite bonus and will dominate a lot of teams. Brooke Baker is quick and you will probably see her hold some stolen base records by the time she gets out of here. Macie Hair will be behind the plate. When she gets healthy, she should see a lot of playing time in the catching spot."

Amber Daniel joins Texas State as an assistant coach in her first season with the Bobcats. Daniel, who brings head coaching experience, will be in charge of the outfielders. "Amber is intense. She brings a no nonsense attitude to the staff," said Woodard. "She's a coach that expects you to get the job done and she did a really good job with the outfielders this fall. She understands that they will need consistency, without being offered too many chances. Amber is going to bring the fire and drive that we need to make kids better. She's definitely a great addition to our staff."

Texas State's home slate will be highlighted with games against Oklahoma State, Baylor, Houston and the University of Texas. "We believe we have put together a preseason schedule that will challenge our team to be ready when we open conference play in March, and lead us into the excitement of hosting the SLC Tournament in May," said Woodard. The Bobcats will open up the season at home with the CenturyLink Classic from Feb. 12-14. Participating in the tournament will be Northern Illinois, University of New Mexico, UT Arlington and Oklahoma State. "We don't get to host too many home games in February, so it is going to be great to open the season with our own tournament. The competition in the CenturyLink Classic will give us a great indication of where we are as a team going into the 2010 season," said Woodard. From Feb. 19-21 the Bobcats will be in Tempe, Az. at the Littlewood Classic. Texas State will face the University of Iowa, Illinois State, Rutgers and Arizona State. Staying on the road Texas State will travel to Tulsa, Okla. for the Embassy Suites Tulsa Invitational. In a three-day tournament the Bobcats will play UMKC, South Dakota State, Creighton and Tulsa. Visiting Bobcat Field this upcoming season are non-conference competitors Baylor (Mar. 10), Texas (Mar. 24) and Houston (Apr. 21). Texas State begins SLC play with a home stand versus UT Arlington (Mar. 2-3). They will also host conference foes Sam Houston State (Mar. 6-7), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Mar. 20-21), Nicholls (Apr. 10-11) and Northwestern State University (May 1 -2). Road matches this year will be at McNeese State (Mar. 13-14), Texas Tech (Mar. 16), Southeastern La. (Mar. 27-28), Texas (Mar. 31), Central Arkansas (Apr. 2-3), North Texas (Apr. 14), UTSA (Apr. 23-24) and will play their last regular season series against Stephen F. Austin (May 8-9) in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Texas State will host the Southland Conference Tournament for the second time in three years. Texas State opened its renovated facility in the Spring of 2009 and will host the tournament for the first time at Bobcat Field since the renovations. "Anytime you get to host the conference tournament it's a great feeling," said Woodard. "For us, the players get a chance to wake up in their own beds and keep up with their normal routine. Since the renovation, we have one of the top stadiums in the state of Texas. It's a great atmosphere to play softball in."