2015 UTC Softball Team - Defending Southern Conference Champions
photo by Wes Schultz
It’s nine days to the season opener – Plainsman Invite (Auburn, Ala.) – and the UTC Indoor Softball Facility at Warner Park was alive with the sounds of batting and infield practice Wednesday afternoon as the 20 Lady Moc players plus coaches were on hand for 2015 Media Day.
Located in their familiar spot as pre-season Southern Conference favorites, UTC returns a strong offense with seven of the top 10 hitters from the 2014 Southern Conference championship team, plus the top two veteran pitchers complemented by a pair of freshmen hurlers which gives the team plenty of depth.
“This team is a quiet group, one which works hard every day at practice,” said UTC coach Frank Reed.
“We do have a few injuries, but once we get everyone healthy I think we will be strong.”
The top three hitters from a year ago are Sarah Beth Roberts (Sr., 343, 6 HRs, 33 RBIs), Nicole Osterman (Sr., .342, 5 HRs, 14 RBIs) and Anyssa Robles (Jr., .323, 3 HRs, 28 RBIs).
* Pitchers: The pitching staff is led by 2014 Southern Conference Most Outstanding Player Katie Henderson (19-12, 2.01 ERA) and senior Taylor Deason (14-7, 1.49 ERA) along with freshmen Cori Jennings and Kailey Palazzolo.
“Katie recently injured her shoulder and is out four to six weeks, and this will give our freshmen pitchers plenty of playing time.”
* Catchers: Catching duties will have Anyssa Robles (.323) who started all 55 games a year ago and senior Shelby Carter who saw action in 13 games in 2014.
* Infield: Returning starters are Sarah Beth Roberts (.343, 1st team All-SoCon in 2014) at third base, Alyssa Taylor (.288) at short and Criket Blanco (.260) at second, while Amanda Ross (.100) and Savannah Goldsmith (.333) will battle for the starting spot at first while regular Jesslyn Stockard (.230) is out for a while with an injury.
* Outfield: Senior Nicole Osterman (.342) is set in left, two-year returning starter in center is Sam Taylor (.288) while Jenny Garcia (.171) and Marina Wilkerson (.086) will play right.
* Pre-Season All-Southern Conference: UTC has three players on the pre-season first team – Katie Henderson (pitcher), Sarah Beth Roberts (3B), and Nicole Osterman (OF). Second team selections went to Taylor Deason (pitcher) and Anyssa Robles (catcher)
* Schedule: After competing in the Plainsman Invite next weekend, the Lady Mocs compete in tournaments in Clermont, Fla.
And Mobile, Ala. Before hosting the Frost Classic, Feb. 27-Mar. 1
Frost Classic: Feb. 27 UTC vs. Eastern Ky. And South Dakota State
Feb. 28 – UTC vs. Kentucky and Wright State
March 1 – UTC vs. Ohio U.
SoCon: UTC opens league play at home against UNCG (Mar. 21-22)
SoCon Tourney: UTC hosts the Southern Conference tournament, May 6-9 at Frost Stadium.
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net
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