Kats Set Home Run Records Again in 2013
5/7/2013 2:09:00 PM | Softball
As the Sam Houston softball team readies for this week's 2013 Southland Conference post-season tournament, the Bearkats know they have a weapon that can be a game-changer for them at the event.
It's the long ball.
For the second year in a row, the Kats have set a Sam Houston school record for most home runs in one season.
Last year the Bearkats broke a seven-year-old record with 50 home runs in 50 games. This spring, the team has totaled 55 homers in 54 contests.
Sophomore designated player Hillary Adams leads the team with 11 home runs.
The Elgin product has tied the school record for most homers in one season held by current teammate Kim Damian (2012) and Heather Robinson (1992).
Damian, the Kats' first baseman from Angleton, and Shelbi Tucker, Sam Houston's third baseman from Montgomery, now stand as the program's all-time leading home run hitters.
Damian has 25 career homers to her credit and Tucker has hit 21 home runs in four years at Sam Houston.
The pair have smashed a 21-year-old record of 19 career home runs set in 1992 by Heather Robinson.
Eight players on the 2013 squad have hit at least one home run this season.
Freshman shortstop Tiffany Castillo, her sister right fielder Cecilia Castillo and Damian all have nine home runs to their credit in 2013.
"The best thing about our ability to hit the long ball the past two years is the confidence it brings us offensively," Sam Houston head coach Bob Brock said. "If we're down a run or two, we know we have the ability to get back in the game with one swing.”
Sam Houston opens the Southland Conference tournament Thursday as the No. 3 seed. The Bearkats take on No. 6 seed Southeastern Louisiana at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the first round.
The event represents the second consecutive week the Kats will be playing at Demon Softball Complex. In their three-game series there last Saturday and Sunday, Sam Houston totaled seven home runs.
All games at the Southland Conference tournament in Natchitoches will be streamed live at www.southland.org . The tournament finals Saturday will be telecast live on espn3.com .
