SPECIAL TO THE FLASH
TarletonSports.com
STEPHENVILLE (January 27, 2016) – After last season’s historic run to the South Central Super Regional Series, the Tarleton TexAnns will open the 2016 season as the No. 10 team in the nation from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll.
“This ranking is certainly a nice nod to last year’s team and the work we all did together to advance to the final 16,” said 20th year head coach Julie Mata. “I believe is also reflects the fact that we have almost every player returning from that team. I’m very proud of what we accomplished last season and I’m looking forward to the journey with this 2016 version of TexAnn softball.”
Tarleton, who finished the 2015 campaign ranked No. 22 by the NFCA, return 13 letterwinners including all-LSC selections Nyka Wood, Katelyn Conlee, Haley Freyman, and Melody Mayse. Conlee also earned a pair of all-region accolades. The TexAnns went 33-22 last season and won the South Central Region 1 Championship with wins over West Texas A&M and Cameron after entering the tournament as the No. 8 seed.
Defending national champion North Georgia earned the No. 1 spot in unanimous fashion. Dixie State, Shorter, California (Pa.), Indianapolis, Valdosta State, Adelphi, UMSL, and Georgia College fell in line behind North Georgia before the TexAnns checked into a tie for No. 10 with Winona State at 251 total votes.
Tarleton is the highest-ranked team in the Lone Star Conference as only West Texas A&M joined them in the polls – ranked No. 22.
The TexAnns will open the season Monday afternoon in Stephenville with a 2 p.m. doubleheader against Texas A&M International at the Tarleton Softball Complex.
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