Softball

Softball readies itself for brief fall season

Pitcher Bailey Watts (4) will be crucial to the team’s success in her second season. She will start the team’s second game Saturday against Texas State. | Daily Cougar File Photo

The UH softball team will compete in their first tournament over the weekend in the Spring Klein Fall Classic as they matchup against a cast of NCAA programs that include Big 12 opponents top-25 ranked Texas A&M and Baylor.

“You are going to have to play very well whether it’s the fall or spring against them,” head coach Kyla Holas said. “We are using it as a big gauge to really see how prepared we are, to see how far we are off, so that come spring time we can really compete.”

The Spring Klein Fall Classic is one of two tournaments scheduled for the Fall 2010-2011 campaign in the preparation for the upcoming season. After posting a 30-24-1 record last season, the Cougars recently acquired Former All-American Kristin Vesely, a transfer from Oklahoma. They also added five freshmen to the roster.

“We added so many good players, so we are really trying to see what is the best combination of people together,” Holas said. “We are excited, but we are still a little nervous because we don’t know if we found that right fit yet for everyone.”

Adding talent to an experienced pitching staff, freshman pitcher Diedre Outon, who has suffered injuries this fall, will play a major role this season in the pitching rotation that includes senior Amanda Crabtree and sophomore Bailey Watts.

“I do think she is going to be a real big contender this year,” Holas said. “But right now, due to her injuries, I think in the future you will see Diedre come into that combination.”

Lined up for the Cougars is a doubleheader on Saturday against Texas A&M at 11:45 a.m. and Texas State slated for 4:15 p.m.

Following Saturday’s contest is a Sunday morning matchup versus Baylor at 9:30 a.m., and then against Alvin College at 2:30 p.m. inside the confines of Collins Park.

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