Inside the Diamond is a weekly feature during the off-season of NCAA Softball. Each week Fastpitch News (FPN) will look at a 2016 USA Today/NFCA (final poll) top 25 team. FPN will look at the season that was and what 2017 may have to offer. Next up: Texas A&M Softball.
Long time Aggie head coach Jo Evans has a lot to look forward to in 2017 with her Texas A&M softball team.
In 2016 they Aggies posted 39 wins and earned a trip to the Lafayette, LA regional where they went 2-2. Although they finished in the bottom half of the SEC, they closed out the regular season taking two of three from Auburn. They went 11-19 against top 25 opponents last year, which does not look great on the surface.
As a team they had five different players recognized by the SEC. Infielder Tori Vidales and catcher Ashley Walters were named to the SEC first team and outfielder Keeli Milligan was named to the second team. They also had three freshman make the All-SEC Freshman team in pitcher Samantha Show, infielder Kaitlyn Alderink and Milligan.
The even better news for coach Evans is that all five were underclassman in 2016. Vidales was also an All-American being named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Third Team. She led the team in batting average (.406) and was second in home runs (14). The Aggies had five players hit 10 or more home runs on the season and all but one return in 2017. Infielder Kristen Cuyos led the team in home runs (16) and RBI (61). She was also an underclassman.
In the circle it was the Freshman Show (25-10) who shined. Show compiled 172 strikeouts over 202 innings. She threw over half of the total innings played last year, so establishing a clear number two will be important as we head towards the 2017 season.
Who they lose
- Utility – Alex Masek
- Pitcher – Katie Marks
- Catcher/Outfield – Cali Lanphear
- Utility – Breanna Dozier
The biggest loss will be Lanphear who hit 12 home runs and 53 RBI last season. She played outfield last season and with the outstanding class coach Evans has coming in for 2017, they should be in good shape.
Who they get
- Outfielder – Kelbi Fortenberry (East Bernard, TX)
- Outfielder/Short Stop – Blake Ann Fritsch (La Grange, TX)
- Pitcher/First base – Payton McBride (Deer Park, TX)
- Outfielder/First base – Miranda Miles (Elk Grove, CA)
Fortenberry is considered one of the top outfield prospects in the country. She is a triple threat at the plate that can beat pitchers with her speed and power. Her kind of athleticism should have an immediate impact.
Fritsch is another athlete with speed and the ability to play both infield and outfield. She adds to what is already an athletic team, and speed never hurts. Where she ends up playing will work itself out.
McBride will add depth in the circle. She had a very successful high school and club ball career to this point. There is no reason not to think she will be competing for a spot in the rotation from the start.
Miles rounds out a small, but athletic class. She primarily plays first but can also play in the outfield. She is a left handed hitter with the ability to hit the ball to all fields.
This is a team to watch in 2017. They are young and loaded with athletes. Yes, they are in a tough conference, but with their ability to hit for power and the addition of speed to the line-up they will be dangerous. Show was good in 2016 and should be better this year. If one of the other pitchers can step up and contribute productive innings, the Aggies may surprise some people in the SEC. Last year they were second in the conference in home runs (86) to Auburn (89). Auburn losses most their power while Texas A&M returns almost all of theirs. Pitching is where they lagged in the conference, but as we already stated they relied mostly on the freshman Show. She will have a year under her belt and that should help. Look for this team to be much higher up the conference standings in 2017.
