SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College softball team heads into year two under head coach Brandon Johnson, and the 'Roos will be hoping to build on a season in which they finished 7-31 overall but showed plenty of potential and promise up and down the lineup.
Leading the way will be seniors Elizabeth Preston, Carrie Johnson, Kalee Rush, Andrea Saucedo, Calleigh King, and Lyndsey Busch. Preston has been a three-year starter at shortstop for the 'Roos, and heads into her final season with the chance to be a four-time All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference selection. Last season she batted .327 with two triples, seven doubles, and led the team with 15 stolen bases. Johnson is a former All-SCAC pick at centerfield, and will also be a big part of the pitching rotation again this year. Last season, Johnson batted .346 and led the team with nine doubles, as well as finishing tied for second on the roster with 22 runs batted in.
Busch earned All-SCAC honors last season after hitting .333 with two doubles, a triple, and 10 RBI, while Rush and Saucedo have both gotten plenty of experience in the starting lineup. King, meanwhile, made eight appearances in the circle, and also batted .333 on the year.
The 'Roos will also be looking to All-Conference junior Chyrsi Hemby, who has extensive experience at multiple infield position and last season led the team with a .376 batting average, 13 doubles, and tied for second on the team with 22 RBI while also stealing eight bases and belting a home run.
Hailie Swiatkowski is back after making 16 pitching appearances during her sophomore campaign, including 11 starts. She finished the season with a pair of victories while tossing a pair of complete games with an earned-run-average of 5.28, and for her career, she's made 27 starts and 36 total appearances. Kaitlyn Barrett headlines the sophomore class after a big first season in which she was the runner-up for SCAC Newcomer of the Year honors after hitting .314 and finishing among the conference leaders with seven home runs while leading the 'Roos with 27 RBI. Tessa Contreras and Faith Butler also saw action during their first year of collegiate softball, and will be expected to contribute again as sophomores.
The 'Roos welcome several newcomers this season, including junior Madi McPherson, who returns to the team after not playing in 2023. The speedy outfielder boasts strong plate discipline, and is expected to make an impact this season. Johnson also brought in several transfer players, including pitcher Alexus Johnson, a junior who played last season at Southwestern Junior College in Kansas. She's expected to make an immediate splash both in the circle and at the plate.
Hannah King is another transfer, coming to the 'Roos from Hill College. The junior adds pop to the batting order, and has the versatility to help at multiple positions for Austin College. Also coming to the 'Roos from Hill College is Tori Fowler, a sophomore outfielder with exceptional speed who excels defensively, and will be in the mix for a starting spot to open the year. Trista Conforto is another transfer for the 'Roos who brings natural leadership and hard work, and will be in the mix for immediate playing time at first base.
The 'Roos also added a pair of freshmen in Ali Tobar and Alicia Bohannon. Bohannon comes to the 'Roos from Denison and plays with a high softball IQ, while Tobar played her high school ball in Los Fresnos, and brings one of the most versatile skillsets on the roster, with the ability to make an impact right from the start both at the plate as well as defensively.
Austin College opens its season on Saturday when the 'Roos play host to Hendrix College, with first pitch of the doubleheader scheduled for noon at Sherman High School.