2010 Softball Season Preview

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Trevecca softball team heads into its second season under head coach Ben Tyree. They will do so with only one senior, Megan Hemmingsen. The youth movement will be in full-force as Coach Tyree's first full recruiting class will be in uniform.

Trevecca saw its run of three-straight NAIA tournament appearances and four straight TranSouth Championships come to an end last season, but are re-stocked and prepared to begin a new run in 2010. Despite missing the NAIA tournament, the team still posted a 21-win season and were 8-6 in conference play.

Hemmingsen, who transferred from Motlow State prior to last season, is from Woodlawn, Tenn. and will be a the lone senior on this year's team.

The junior class includes two-year contributors Karli Rush (Mt. Juliet HS) and Melinda Patterson (Camden HS) as well as transfers Monica West (Shorter College), Anais Puertas (Southeastern Iowa CC), and Kelsey Lantrip (Central Alabama). All five will be looked upon for leadership and production at the plate. Puertas, from Venezuelan, will play in the infield and outfield.

The sophomore class contributed as freshmen last year and more is expected in their second season in purple. Lauren Baker (Beech HS, Hendersonville, Tenn.), Riley Mashburn (Father Ryan HS, Brentwood, Tenn.), and Caitlyn Bailey (Wilson Central HS, Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) all were highly recruited out of high school and produced on the field last year.

The 2010 freshman class looks to be a full of contributors. Brooke Brennan (Davidson Academy, Old Hickory, Tenn.), Breanna Zeis (Blackman HS, Murfreesboro, Tenn.), Jessica Zawadzki (Station Camp HS, Hendersonville, .Tenn.), and Nikki Durham (Sycamore HS, Pleasant View, Tenn.) will all add to this year's effort on the field.

Coach Tyree believes his team will compete for the TranSouth title again this year, "We have improved our team this year in all areas, to help us reach our goal of winning the TranSouth Championship. With a TranSouth championship we'd receive a bid to the NAIA Tournament."

The schedule this year has several highlights including the highly touted Gulf Coast Invitational in Orange Beach, Ala. Trevecca will face several highly ranked teams. Trevecca also has Murray State, a NCAA Division 1 program, on the schedule. Trevecca will also play a home-and-home double-header with NCAA Division II power North Alabama.

The Trojans were picked fifth by the TranSouth coaches in their annual preseason poll. Martin Methodist is the top pick and is ranked No. 8 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25. Union, Bethel, and Freed-Hardeman all look to have strong teams returning this season in conference.