Softball Starts 2018 At UTSA Invitational

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Head Coach Blake Miller returns for his second year at the helm of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball this 2018, steering a squad that returns a plethora of new faces and high expectations. 
 
The Islanders kick off the new season at the UTSA Invitational, with contests against Seton Hall, Southern Illinois, UTSA and Southland Conference foe Abilene Christian. With a pair of returners coming back to the Island, Coach Miller and staff will be looking for some standout performances from a signing class of 12 this offseason, while eyeing a return from their two-year hiatus at the Southland Conference Tournament.

THE INFIELD (1 RETURNER, 6 NEWCOMERS)

• The Islanders will carry a trio of catchers on their roster this year, led by former Seguin High School standout Whitney Wendel. The 2016 Area Player of the Year signed with the Blue and Green in April of last year and stands to add a power bat to Coach Blake's lineup this spring
• Boasting the highest slugging percentage on the Island last year (.341) sophomore Lacey Boyd looks to make an impact in 2018 after starting 36 of Corpus Christi's 48 contests the previous year
• Playing primarily at first, Avery Ratcliff helped lead Pearland High School to a runner-up finish in the 2016 Texas State Tournament, helping the Oilers to finish ranked 25th nationally

IN THE OUTFIELD (0 RETURNERS, 4 NEWCOMERS)

• Signing with the Islanders last April, junior transfer Kayla Sheridan will eye a spot in the starting lineup, after averaging .400 on 86 hits during her sophomore season at Lamar State College-Port Arthur
• Playing the previous season at Indian Hills Community College, junior Keagan Helson stole 13 bases on 14 attempts in 2017, on the way to driving in 25 runs
• Adding some speed to the lineup, freshman outfielder Taelor Thomas was a three-time All-District selection at Westside High School in Houston

ON THE MOUND (1 RETURNER, 2 NEWCOMERS)

• Recording 12 complete games in 2017, right-hander Kandace Johnson returns to the Island as the Blue and Green's most experienced arm, striking out 43 batters in 106 innings pitched last season
• A standout at George Ranch, Alexis Tovar earned All-District honors in her first three years of high school while collecting a Freshman Pitcher of the Year designation in 2014
• Recording 34 appearances at Navarro College the previous season, transfer righty Ashley Smith tallied a sub-3.00 ERA during her year with the Bulldogs

vs SETON HALL
WHEN: Friday 2 PM & Saturday 2 PM
>> The Pirates return six starters and three of their top four pitchers from 2017, including infielder, and reigning Big East Player of the Year, Alexis Walkden
>> Seton Hall finished seventh overall in conference play with a 7-14 record, failing to make the Big East Tournament for a second consecutive year
>> Leading the Pirates with an ERA of 2.96 last season, pitcher Reganne Camp returns to the mound for her sophomore campaign
 
vs SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
WHEN: Saturday 9 AM
>> Entering the 2018 season as defending MVC Tournament Champions, SIU returns all but three seniors for the coming year
>> Eyrika Brandenburg returns to Carbondale as the Salukis' most productive hitter on the roster, recording a .309 average with 23 RBI in 2017
 
vs ABILENE CHRISTIAN
WHEN: Sunday 11 AM
>> Ranked second overall in the 2018 Southland Conference Preseason Poll, the Wildcats return 12 players overall from last year's squad, including five Preseason All-SLC selections
>> On the mound, Second Team All-Conference honoree Hannah Null returns for her senior season, after posting 132 strikeouts and a team-high three saves over 41 appearances
 
at UTSA
WHEN: Sunday 2 PM
>> Hosting the UTSA Classic for a sixth consecutive year, the Roadrunners are coming off a 9-15 season in Conference USA play
>> The Roadrunners return a pair of .300 hitters this spring, with infielder Rylee Rodriguez (.304) accounting for 10 of UTSA's 36 homers in 2017

STAY SOCIAL
For all the latest information on Islanders Softball, be sure to follow the team on Twitter (@IslandersSBall) and Instagram (@islanderssball) and like the team on Facebook (Islanders Softball).

- Go Islanders -