2020 Softball Preview: Returning IF/OF

HUNTSVILLE — The Sam Houston State softball team is set to begin preparing for its Southland Conference regular-season and tournament title defenses when the nonconference portion of the schedule kicks off Feb. 7 against Mason at the Stetson Leadoff Classic in Florida.

Bearkats head coach Garrett Valis, the 2019 SLC Coach of the Year, has a solid group of returning players who make a strong nucleus to build around with the newcomers. Sam Houston State is led by first-team preseason All-SLC selections, senior Megan McDonald and Tiffany Thompson, and second-team honoree, junior Brooke Malia.

"This is one of the strongest returning classes in my time here with 14 returners from last year's championship team and many with several years of playing time under their belt," Valis said. "It's great to have such a strong group of women leading our young athletes. The work ethic and will to achieve is special."

Infielders

2B — Junior Brooke Malia started all 58 games for the Bearkats at second base. She earned All-SLC third-team honors after putting up impressive power numbers at the plate. Malia led the Bearkats with 12 home runs, 16 doubles and 39 RBI, scored 28 runs and had 13 multi-hit games and 11 multi-RBI games.

Malia hit the game-winning home run in a 2-1 victory over Nicholls in the SLC tournament championship game to send the Bearkats to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007.

"Brooke is our returning home run and RBI leader from a year ago, and she took a big jump during her second season so I anticipate that upward trend to continue," Valis said. "She has become a dependable defender that helps get us in the right positions defensively. It's fun to watch her perform in the big moments so we hope she will be in those spots often this spring."

3B — Sophomore Kyndal Kutac made 54 starts at third base as a true freshman last season. She earned honorable-mention All-Southland Conference honors after finishing second on the team in home runs (nine) and third in RBI (27).

Kutac hit .239 with 38 hits in 159 at-bats, scored 25 runs and hit two game-winning home runs.

"Kyndal comes back as sophomore who played in almost every game as a freshman," Valis said. "She has tremendous power and athleticism at the plate so she proves to be a tough out. When you think of the toughness needed to play 'the hot corner,' she has it and is an excellent complement to the rest of our defense."

SS — Senior Tiffany Thompson started all 58 games at shortstop for the Bearkats in 2019 on her way to being named as a first-team All-Southland Conference selection. She led the Bearkats with a .308 batting average, was third on the team with seven home runs, first in runs (34) and stolen bases (19) and second in RBI (29) and doubles (12).

Thompson hit a game-winning, two-run home run in SHSU's thrilling 2-1 victory over Texas in the opening round of the Austin Regional of the NCAA Tournament.

"Tiffany has been the rock of our infield for three seasons and will continue that trend this year," Valis said. "She is dynamic at the plate, part of our leadership team and never takes a rep off. I anticipate the best is still to come for her this season."

UTL — Redshirt junior Brooklyn Devine is making her Bearkat debut this spring after transferring from Nicholls before the start of last season. In 2017 at Nicholls, she appeared in 44 games, starting in 37. She finished the year with a .303 batting average, totaling 30 hits and eight RBI.

"Brooklyn was with us in a redshirt year least year, so this will be the first for her between the lines this season," Valis said. "She has shown the ability in her past in workouts to be explosive in all areas of the game. She has the ability to impact the game in many phases, so we expect to see her contribute in that way this spring."

Outfielders

CF — Senior Megan McDonald appeared in all 58 games for the Bearkats, making 57 starts in center field. She was a first-team All-Southland Conference selection after finishing fifth in league play in batting average (.389), tied for first in triples (three), second in hits (35) and fifth in runs scored (19).

McDonald was second on the team with a .299 overall batting average and tied for second in runs scored (28) with 11 multi-hit games.

"Megan is one of the toughest athletes I have had the privilege of coaching," Valis said. "She finds ways to succeed in all circumstances. She has been a ball hawk in centerfield for years in the league and looks ready to continue that.

"She to is part of our leadership group and does a great job of setting the tone for our lineup. There just isn't much she can't do so I'm excited to watch her compete this season."

RF — Junior Sheridan Fisher played in 56 games, making 54 starts in right field for the Bearkats. She was an honorable-mention All-Southland Conference selection after hitting .292 with 21 hits and 11 runs scored in league action.

Fisher had seven multi-hit and three multi-RBI games. She had 62 putouts defensively, with two assists and only one error for a fielding percentage of .985.

"Sheridan is our most experienced outfielder outside of Megan, so it's great to have two athletes in the outfield who can really go get the ball," Valis said. "She is extremely dependable defensively and a tough out at the plate. She has worked extremely hard in the off season with some injury rehab, and I know she is chomping at the bit to get going. Sheridan is another member of our leadership group, and I believe her best season is right in front of her."

OF — Junior Kayte Martinez was limited to 36 games, making 10 starts, due to an injury last season. She served primarily as a pinch runner, scoring 13 runs, but she hit .158 in 19 at-bats with seven walks and two stolen bases.

"Kayte is another player who gets better every day, and she has had a lot of position competition during her time here so she understands what it takes to compete at this level," Valis said. "An injury last spring cut her ability to play for us but was a huge piece as a runner and leader in the dugout. She is back healthy now and has tighten up a few areas of her game, so I anticipate her being a more consistent contributor for us."

OF — Alex Diaz appeared in 28 games, primarily as a pinch runner. She made four starts split between the outfield and designated player and scored five runs with a double and an RBI.

"Alex is a sophomore outfielder who is healthier now than she has been in her time here," Valis said. "She has a tremendous motor and drive that every team needs. I really like some of the changes and improvements she has made in her game. She will have the ability to fill many roles for us this spring."

2020 Softball Preview: Returning IF/OF

Players Mentioned

Brooklyn Devine

Alex Diaz

Sheridan Fisher

Kyndal Kutac

Brooke Malia

Kayte Martinez

Megan McDonald

Tiffany Thompson

Footer