LAWTON, Okla. – The Cameron University softball team begins their 2018 season at the Southeastern Oklahoma State Regional Invitational this weekend, Feb. 2-4.
About the Aggies:
The Aggies head into their second year under head coach
Dennis Furr after going 33-20 last season with a 20-8 conference mark that saw them finish in third in the Lone Star Conference final standings and reach the NCAA South Central Regional. On Wednesday, they were picked fifth in the LSC Preseason Poll by league officials.
Cameron returns eight players from last year's squad, including five who started all 53 games and three All-LSC performers. One of those starters,
Brenna Busby, was selected as an All-Region and All-LSC first teamer last season after leading the team in hitting. CU also returns one of the LSC's top pitchers from a year ago in
Bethany Hines. Hines was named to the All-LSC second team after setting the school's single season record for wins (25) and, as just a sophomore, ranks in the top-10 in almost every CU softball program pitching category. Also returning is All-LSC third teamer
Callie Busby and season long starters
Kaylyn Smith,
Abbey Warren, and
Annie Combs.
The Black and Gold also has an impressive crop of newcomers joining the fold this season.
Lauren Mason is a transfer infielder/outfielder from Oklahoma State, who hit .333 with 13 runs scored and four stolen bases; she was at Rose Star prior to OSU and set two records during her JUCO years.
Rylee Willmon is a pitcher from Northeastern Oklahoma State, who was an All-Region performer her freshman and sophomore years and was selected as an Academic All-American in 2017; she posted a 1.82 ERA last season. They will join a strong group of freshman do help the Aggies take the next step forward.
Arkansas Tech | 2:30 p.m. Feb. 2
The Suns currently sit at No. 3 in the Great American Conference (GAC) Preseason Poll. Last season, they finished third in the GAC with a 37-22 record. ATU returns two top hitters from the 2017 season, junior Megan Goodnight (.333, 8 HR, 38 RBI) and senior Janie Knowles (.298, 6 HR, 22 RBI).
East Central | 5 p.m. Feb. 2
The Tigers finished the 2017 season with a 31-26 overall record and a 22-21 mark in the GAC, finishing in fifth place. They were picked to finish sixth in the 2018 GAC Preseason Poll. ECU returns five All-GAC honors from 2017. Senior Alissa Taylor (.402, 7 HR, 28 RBI) was named to All-GAC First Team, juniors Mariah Ewy and Aundrea Hamric earned second team honors, and senior Claresha Clemons and junior Breecia Crawford were honorable mentions.
Newman | 9:30 a.m. Feb. 3
Newman was picked sixth in the Heartland Conference preseason poll. They finished the 2017 season 17-35 overall and 10-9 in conference play. The Jets return senior Erin Jankiewicz (.284, 2 HR, 22 RBI) and senior Taylor Mannis (.270, 13 RBI).
Pittsburg State | 12 p.m. Feb. 3
Pittsburg State softball was picked eighth in the 2018 MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll after finishing last season 42-19 overall and earned the programs first NCAA Division II National Tournament appearance since 1995. The Gorillas return the 2017 MIAA Freshman of the Year Kala Holder who also received All-American honors from the NFCA and D2CCA. Also returning is the 2017 MIAA Pitcher of the Year Emmie Robertson who received second-team All-Region recognition.
Washburn | 12 p.m. Feb. 4
After finishing a 25-30 record and a ninth-place finish in the MIAA standings, the Ichabods were picked 10th in the MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll. Washburn returns two All-MIAA honorable mentions, junior Savannah Moore and senior pitcher Kelsee Henry.
Missouri Southern State | 2:30 p.m. Feb. 4
Missouri Southern softball enters the 2018 season picked to finish sixth in the MIAA Coaches Poll. They capped off the 2017 season with an overall record of 27-30 and a conference record of 16-10 earning its first bid to the MIAA post-season tournament since 2011. The Tigers return four All-MIAA players including first-team senior outfielder Abi Corbett (.438), second-team senior utility Shelby Friend, and honorable mentions junior catcher Angel Badalamenti and sophomore outfielder Elizabeth Windsor.
On deck:
Cameron will once again spend a weekend playing games at a neutral site as they compete in the St. Mary's Invitational next week in San Antonio, Texas. The Aggies will play five games over the three game span, Feb. 9-11.
