ACU’s softball and baseball teams will return to the diamond in less than a month. Both teams will look to continue their success from the past seasons. New opponents and new challenges are ahead as they enter the Southland Conference.
“We are excited about the opportunities we are going to get to play some Div. I softball,” head coach Reeves said. “I think the team is excited to the point they are ready accept the challenge.”
Reeves is looking for a fourth-consecutive winning season. He is depending on his six seniors returning for this season, especially Lyndi Smith.
“The seniors with that kind of leadership and the six that I’ve got is definitely a plus,” Reeves said.
During smith’s junior season she became a second-team All-Lone Star Conference player. She batted .371 and had a team-best of 10 home runs. Smith knows that she had a great junior year, but thinks there is room to improve.
“Making the transition from D-2 to D-1 is a big deal,” said Smith. “I want nothing more than to improve in every aspect of the game. It’s important to me that we make a name for ourselves the first year in the Southland.”
Head coach Britt Bonneau and the ACU baseball team are also preparing for another season of success and dominance. Bonneau has been the coach for 17 years and compiled a record of 671-324-1 in his time at ACU. He is a winner that will continue to take the team out of the stratosphere when they get into the Southland. The team will also be looking for a lot of help from younger players because the majority of the team were seniors last year.
“We are really only returning about four starters; the good thing about that is they are four great guys,” Bonneau said.
The four returning players are going to be an integral part of the team this year. Among those returning is Senior infielder Kyle Giusti, a first-team All-Lone Star Conference player last year who was hitting a staggering .358.
Out of those four is senior infielder Seth Spivey from Brenham, who will also return and who is a great hitter with a .317 average and a Lone Star Conference honorable mention. Spivey is looking forward to the upcoming games against Div. I opponents, especially Texas A&M.
“I only live 30 minutes away from College Station and I am pretty much playing in my backyard,” Spivey said.
The two teams will be competing at the highest level in both of their sports, facing off against top Div. I talent. With the success of these coaches and players, there is no doubt that they should be able to play and win in their first years.
