By Jared Fields, Sports Writer
ACU softball is set to begin the 2005 season Thursday when it hosts Colorado State-Pueblo. The Wildcats look to improve on last year and bring a winning attitude to the new season.
Head coach Chantiel Wilson is in her second year after leading the Wildcats to a 20-30 record in her debut season. Wilson said she expects better results this year after a busy offseason spent recruiting and hard work on the field.
“We have 12 new girls, and they bring a sense of being on championship teams,” Wilson said. “I think it’s still really competitive. We have 20 girls, and it’s going to be hard to find a starting lineup.”
Freshman pitcher Melanie Smith is one of the new team members anxious for the upcoming season.
“We have a great season ahead of us,” Smith said. “I think all of the freshmen are excited about contributing to this team, and we’re ready to do our part.”
Wilson said Smith has a good demeanor, real calm, especially for a freshman playing at ACU.
She said she feels the newcomers will be able to contribute a winning attitude, and players are competitive during practices, which has helped increase intensity during winter workouts.
“I don’t believe in starting a senior just because they’re a senior,” said Wilson. “Our freshmen know they’re up for any position out there, and they work hard every day.”
Along with the incoming freshmen and transfers, the Wildcats have several key players ready to start the new season.
Senior first baseman Katie Bryan returns after earning 3rd team All-America honors. Bryan hit close to .400 last season and looks to continue her success this year.
“I treat each practice as a game,” Bryan said. “Even though I am a senior, I am looking to become a better hitter and fielder each day.”
Bryan said she also sees the determination to win in her teammates.
“This team has taken winning to a whole other level,” she said. “The mentality is where it should be, and it’s filled with attitudes of champions.”
Bryan is not the only player returning who had individual success last year. Senior third baseman Valerie Malkinson also looks to return to her .400 batting average from last season.
“She is one of the best third basemen I have seen in the region,” Wilson said.
Senior Kristin Alvarado will play second base this year.
“She covers a lot of ground, has great range,” Wilson said of Alvarado.
Catching for the Wildcats will be senior Ashley Whittenburg.
“She has so much heart and does a great job behind the plate,” Wilson said.
After missing the entire year because of an ACL tear in the first game of last season, J.D. Williams-Doty will be back for her final season with the Wildcats. Wilson said Williams-Doty has a desire to recover and be in the lineup.
Wildcat pitchers had a tough time last year. Injuries and a lack of depth kept the team from doing their best. During the offseason, Wilson set out to fix that problem.
“Not only did we improve talent, but depth also,” Wilson said. “We have four or five really good pitchers this year.”
ACU was picked by conference coaches to finish fourth in the Lone Star Conference South Division this year, and coach Wilson said she doesn’t mind the pre-season pick.
“I think fourth place is a great motivation,” Wilson said. “A lot of these girls aren’t used to finishing anything less that first, so less than that is unacceptable to them.”
Bryan also said she thinks the team will do better than people expect.
“We have a strong team this year,” she said. “I think we are going to have a great year, and we’re going to surprise a lot of teams.”
The season opener is at 1 p.m. Thursday against Colorado State-Pueblo at Wells Field, followed by another home double-header against Midwestern State Feb. 8 at 2 p.m.
