Jan. 27, 2012

In the midst of their celebration just moments after the Texas A&M International University Softball team had clinched the program's first Heartland Conference Championship, one of their opponents uttered the words, "Enjoy it... you won't be back next season." Now the 2012 Dustdevils are ready to turn the page and prove they aren't one-hit wonders! TAMIU opens their season on the road February 2 in San Antonio, where they'll take part in the St. Mary's Classic.

The squad returns 17 of 24 players from last year's group, which won a share of the regular season conference title and earned the softball program's first berth in the NCAA Tournament.

The team's biggest loss comes with the departure of the original six, the program's first six recruits, who led the team both with their performance on the field and their leadership in the locker room. While last season the coaching staff came into February with most of the starting positions spoken for, this season only a few are a lock.

In the infield junior Alexis Gonzalez, a 2011 second team All-Heartland Conference selection, will start at short with sophomore Kristen LaBuhn holding down second. Gonzalez finished the 2011 season seventh in the conference with a .355 batting average, third in hits with 59, third in doubles with 12, eighth in homeruns with six, fourth in total bases with 89 and third in stolen bases with 18. At the hot corner senior Samantha Carrillo, a 2010 first team All-Conference selection, is likely to get the starting nod and at first base sophomore Cassandra Deleon will get the bulk of the duty. In addition, versatile sophomore Adriana Gonzalez will see ample playing time, filling in at three different positions around the infield.

Speedy sophomore Rochelle Nash, another second team All-Heartland Conference Selection, will spearhead the outfield in her second season. Nash ended her 2011 campaign third on the team with a .309 batting average and a stolen base percentage of .857. Young guns Olivia Garcia and Regina Morales are expected to split time in the outfield with veterans Lauren Tucker, Desiree Ortiz, Esmeralda Gonzalez and Desiree Ramos.

Of the eight new freshmen joining the team this season, five are pitchers who will battle for the second spot on the rotation behind the sensational right hander Kyndall Reaves. Reaves pitched in 30 games with 18 starts last season, compiling an 11-8 record with a 3.44 ERA while racking up 93 strikeouts and two saves.

Behind the plate, senior Dominique Salazar looks to be the front runner for the starting job, backed by three years of collegiate softball experience. Last season, Salazar played in 38 games with 8 starts, recording a .250 batting average in 28 at bats. Salazar will be backed up by junior Robyn Colin and sophomore Mason Barker.

The Dustdevils were picked to finish third in the Heartland Conference preseason poll, behind St. Mary's and St. Edward's.