SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College softball team heads into the 2023 with expectations of making a move up the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference standings under new head coach Brandon Johnson, and the 'Roos have plenty of experienced returners and talented newcomers to add more notches in the win column in the upcoming campaign.
Last season the 'Roos finished with an 8-29 record and a 3-17 mark in conference play, but with five of those losses coming by two or fewer runs Austin College looks poised to break through and challenge for a spot in the conference tournament this season. Leading the way is All-Conference outfielder Carrie Johnson, as well as two-time team MVP Lizzy Preston. Johnson made an immediate impact in her first season with the program last year, batting .367 with 11 runs batted in while also logging 28.0 innings in the circle and earning a victory while tossing two complete games. Preston is back at shortstop for the third straight year, and is coming off of a sophomore season in which she paced the 'Roos with 37 hits, including four triples, two doubles, and a home run while batting .343 with 11 RBI and 22 runs scored.
Chyrsi Hemby and Joli Kirkpatrick are back after strong collegiate debuts last year, with Hemby collecting 30 hits, including nine doubles, and Kirkpatrick batting .289 with a homer and 15 runs batted in. The 'Roos also return Lyndsey Busch, who drove in 12 runs last season, and Calleigh King, who had a pair of doubles and six RBI in her first season with the program. King also made 10 appearances as a pitcher, earning one win in 23.1 innings of work.
The 'Roos will be led in the circle by sophomore Hailie Swiatkowski, who notched three of the team's eight wins last season and tossed 88.2 innings with six complete games and 17 strikeouts. AD Smith also returns for her senior season, and in addition to her play in the field will join Swiatkowski in the rotation after starting nine games in the circle last year with 40.1 innings of work and a victory under her belt.
Smith will also be joined by fellow senior Avery Atencio, who saw action in 34 games last year and brings lots of leadership and experience heading into her final season in crimson and gold. Atencio had four doubles last season while scoring seven runs and driving in six more. Also back this year is junior infielder Kalee Rush, a multi-year starter who saw action in all 37 games last season, and Taylor Levan is also back to provide more senior leadership to the team.
Joining the squad this year are freshman newcomers Faith Butler, Tessa Contreras, Lupita Reel, Kaitlyn Barrett, and Brooklynn Cook, as well as sophomore transfer Keiten Day. Johnson will be looking for instant a quick impact from this talented group, with multiple players being eyed for plenty of early playing time. Austin College opens up the season on February 10 and 11, where they'll play four road games against Millsaps College.