Softball Team Opens Season on Road

Last season, the USAO softball team accomplished its goal of making the NAIA national tournament. But, in 2005, the Drovers have raised the stakes.

Not only do the Drovers anticipate another trip to Decatur, Ala., but also plan to bring home a first-ever softball national championship and USAO's second in any sport.

That journey begins this weekend as USAO opens the 2005 campaign at the Angelo State Tournament in San Angelo, Texas. On Friday, the Drovers face Eastern New Mexico at 10 a.m., followed by a 2:30 p.m. game against Washburn, Kan. Bracket play continues at 5:30 p.m. Friday, with Saturday’s games set for 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

"Our motto this is season is 'take Decatur,' said coach Julie Vergenz. "We were excited to make nationals last year, but were a little disappointed with the way we finished up. There's kind of a sense of having some unfinished business to take care of."

In 2004, USAO had the best season of any other Drover softball team.

The Drovers finished with a program-best 49-11-1 overall record, eclipsing 2003's record of 34-24. Along the way, they captured their first-ever Sooner Athletic Conference championship with a 20-4 record, the Region VI tournament title, and advanced to the losers bracket semifinals at the NAIA tournament.

In addition to the team accomplishments, Vergenz and several other players received individual honors. Former Drover Jamie Pendley was named the SAC Pitcher of the Year, junior Dana Asksins received Player of the Year honors, while Vergenz was named the SAC and Region VI Coach of the Year.

Askins and Pendley also became USAO's first softball All-Americans.

Askins, Pendley and Kristin Minton were named first-team All-Conference. Alissa Cordes, Kristin Kauk and junior Kindra Gregory received second-team All-SAC honors.

"We had a great season in 2004, and a lot of confidence going into this season," Vergenz said. "But, last year was last year, so we have to come out and prove ourselves again."

The Drovers will have to do that without starters Pendley, Kauk, Minton and Cordes exhausted their eligibility. But, USAO has brought in a number of new recruits to fill the big shoes left by graduation.

On the positive side, the Drovers return six starters, including two pitchers, for the 2005 season.

Returning for USAO this season are Askins, Gregory, senior Crystal Judkins, senior Keeley McKinnon, junior Courtney Foley, junior Stephanie Hey, and sophomore Morgan Skelley.

Askins led USAO in every offensive category last season. She finsihed with a .451 batting average, a .714 slugging percentage and a .502 on-base percentage. Askins scored a team-high 56 runs, while belting 17 doubles, five triples and seven home runs. She collected 43 RBIs and 22 stolen bases.

As a pitcher, Askins posted a 15-6 record and a team- and conference-best 0.90 earned-run average (ERA). The 5-foot-10 left-hander made 33 appearances, including 22 starts, 16 complete games and 10 sutouts. She recorded 154 shutouts to 19 walks.

Gregory is USAO's other returning pitcher. The 5-10 right-hander posted a 15-3 record and a 1.21 ERA. She made 24 appearances and made 15 starts, while recording four complete games and three shutouts. Gregory recorded 75 strikeouts and just 17 walks.

Judkins, a transfer from Howard College, started 59 of 61 games in her first season as a Drover. The 5-4 second baseman finished with a .263 batting average with 14 runs scored, five doubles and four triples.

McKinnon, a 5-7 shortstop, ended the 2004 season with a .225 batting average and scored 10 runs. She was one of three players to start all 61 games.

A 5-3 leftfielder from Piedmont High School, Foley finished with a .303 batting average and was third on the team with 38 runs scored. A left-handed bunting specialist, she led the team with 17 sacrifice hits in 2004.

Hey, a 5-6 third baseman from Putnam City North High School, started all 61 games last season, and finished with a .232 batting average. She collected 15 runs and 17 RBIs in her second season at USAO.

As a true freshman, Skelley started the final 16 games of the regular season after Minton suffered a knee injury. She finished fifth on the team with a .304 batting average and led the Drovers with a .992 fielding percentage.

Also returning for USAO is senior Alana Hare, a 5-7 outfielder from Mustang. Hare played in 47 games last season and earned 18 starts. She also finished with five stolen bases.

In the offseason, Vergenz and her staff signed six new recruits. They include junior Nikki Aguilar, 5-8 infielder from Vernon, Texas, Jr. College; freshman Jennifer Bridgeforth, a 5-7 outfielder from Yukon High School.

Also, junior Amanda Cotton, a 5-6 infielder from Galveston, Texas, College; junior Jessica Darling, a 5-6 utility player from Eastern Okla. State; Megan McLean, a 5-6 outfielder/catcher from Newcastle High School; and, Tanna Truelove, a 5-8 outfielder from Newcastle.