Bobby Reeves isn’t a fan of the word “rebuilding” because of the negative connotation associated with the term. Instead, words like “clean slate” and “fresh start” are what he uses when talking about the upcoming season.
“I’m all about positive reinforcement. Who cares what happened last year? It doesn’t matter a bit. We don’t like to talk about the past at all here. What matters is the task that is at hand – and that is this season. We’re putting all our focus on the present and working hard to improve on a daily basis,” he said. “You can’t go back and change anything that’s happened up to this point. All you have control of is what’s ahead of you, and that’s a good thing.”
Reeves was an assistant baseball coach at Harding University before taking over the reigns of the ACU softball program in July. He replaces Chantiel Wilson, who compiled a 216-153 record over seven seasons, and Reeves considers himself blessed to be where he is now.
“It has been a blessing to have the opportunity to come to Abilene and coach softball here. It’s been a very easy transition because of how good the school has been to my family and me. I couldn’t ask to be in a better situation,” Reeves said.
The Wildcats will return six players from last year’s team, including three starting position players in Melissa Mendoza, Brianna Fowlkes, and Candice Miller. Brittany Rexroat and Shelby Hall, starting pitchers, are also returning, along with reserve third baseman Tori Hoffman.
Mendoza, a senior outfielder from California, is the team’s top returning offensive player, as she hit .380, had 32 RBI’s and scored 23 runs last season. Fowlkes, a junior, led the team in home runs (8) last year and split time at first base with Miller.
The two returning pitchers, Hall and Rexroat, will both be valuable tools as the ‘Cats look to improve from a defensive standpoint.
“They both had a great fall. I’m looking for good things from the both of them,” Reeves said.
The rest of the team are all new additions, including five freshmen – catcher Kara Stutesman, pitcher Peyton Mosley, pitcher/outfielder Ashley Nolan, infielder Kaylee Crozier, and outfielder/pitcher Lyndi Smith.
The Wildcats also boast seven transfer athletes – shortstop Ashley Calles, catcher Erin Gilliland, infielders Megan Brigance, Valentina Nabayna and Bailey Watkins, outfielder Tiana Tuinei and second baseman Sarah Martinez.
Martinez and Gilliland are both transfers from Odessa College, which played in the JUCO World Series last season, and will see playing time this season.
“We are so excited and ready for this season to begin and see what we’re working with. Our team is filled with talent, and I’m ready to see us in action. We’ve put in lots of hard work as a team and are ready to step out on the field this weekend,” Martinez said.
The Wildcats are picked to finish sixth in the Lone Star Conference South Division. They went 21-31 last season and 5-12 in conference, their first losing season since 2004, but you won’t see Reeves or his team too concerned about that.
“We don’t get too caught up in rankings or things like that. As long as we perform like we’re capable of, those will take care of themselves,” he said.
The Wildcats will open their season Friday at 10 a.m. in San Antonio as they take on UT-Permian Basin.
