Softball Opens Season In Corpus Christi
2/10/2016 11:53:00 AM | Softball
Heading into his 32nd season as a college softball head coach, Bob Brock is excited but a bit uncertain about the 2016 edition of the Sam Houston Bearkats.
This year's Sam softball squad consists of only nine returning letter-winners and a group of newcomers that consists of eight freshmen, four transfers and a junior volleyball player who has not stepped on to the diamond since high school.
“We're a bit of a mystery this year, even to ourselves,” Brock said. “But that uncertainty is exciting. We're young but that's not going to be an excuse. In 2007, when we won the Southland Conference tournament and went to the NCAA regional, we had 10 freshmen.”
The Bearkats begin the 2016 schedule this weekend at the A&M-Corpus Christi Islander Classic. Sam Houston opens Friday with an 10 a.m. contest with Louisville. Saturday the Kats take on Iowa at 3 p.m. then complete action in the event with a 9 a.m. rematch the Cardinals and a non-conference game at 2 p.m. with the host Islanders.
"We'll find out a lot about ourselves this in the tournament," Brock said. "The Louisville coach is an old friend of mine and he always puts a strong team on the field. Iowa and A&M-Corpus Christi will be good tests for us as well."
Ranked eighth among active NCAA Division I softball coaches in lifetime victories with 1,093, Brock sees leadership as a team strong point.
Tiffany Castillo, a two-time All-Southland performer and Sam Houston's fourth all-time leading home run hitter, joins Dani Allen, Jennie Kieval and transfer Katie Doerre as the seniors on the 2016 squad.
Allen earned All-Southland honorable mention honors last year after hitting .324. Kieval started 45 games and produced a .441 slugging average. Doerre hit .275, starting 48 games at Texas State in 2015.
“The seniors have really stepped up as leaders for us, both during the fall and in preseason practice,” Brock said. “Katie is a transfer with one year left to play who brings plenty of experience. Dani is our top returning hitter, Tiffany is a three-year starter and, along with Jennie, there's a lot of power there.”
Junior Tayler Atkinson and sophomore Jordan Franks return in the circle. The pair combined for 20 starts and 40 appearances last year. Brooke Seneshen, a transfer from Baylor, and freshman Lindsey McLeod have been added to the pitching staff. Seneshen compiled a 4-1 record and a 2.62 ERA at Baylor last year.
“This is the first time in a long time we haven't had a senior pitcher,” Brock said. “But Tayler and Jordan both are a year older and we believe the two newcomers will really help us.”
Breanna Homer, a mainstay for the Bearkat volleyball team the past three seasons, has joined the softball program this spring. Homer was an all-state and all-district player in high school. Samantha Belongia, a catcher and outfielder who played for Belhaven, and Erin Alaniz, a utility performer at Houston Baptist, join the team as transfers.
“Breanna was a long ball hitter in high school and certainly will be a factor at the plate,” Brock said. “Samantha and Erin have fit right in. With all the freshman and transfers on the field this year, you might expect team chemistry to be a question mark. But this group has really come together well. Everyone is excited about getting started.”
Other returning letter-winners include infielders Casey Sax, Hannah Marino, Delaney Neal and outfielder Ashley Kopps. New freshmen also include infielders Jade Alford, Emily Bounds, Codi Carpenter, Samantha Cueller and Ashley Goetz and outfielders Ashley Lockamy and Bailey Watson.
“We're ahead of where we were at this time last year,” Brock said. “We should be improved defensively and we will be more of a gap hitting team this spring. Last year our problem was an inability to score with runners on base. We're spraying the ball around the diamond right now and have a better RBI potential.”
Following the tournament in Corpus Christi this weekend, Sam Houston will play a non-conference single game against Texas A&M in College Station on Wednesday, February 17 at 6 p.m. The Bearkats will open their 2016 home schedule with a doubleheader against Prairie View A&M on Friday, February 19 at 3 p.m.
