Last season Outon finished sixth overall in home runs while managing to throw out nine runners on the bases. After tying an NCAA record by hitting a home run in six consecutive games, Outon earned a place as an Honorable Mention All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
“I was a power hitter always,” said Outon. “But I think my freshman year after I hit five home runs, then 22 (home runs last year), I think that’s a lot.”
Outon, along with senior infielder Holly Anderson and third baseman Reina Gaber, has been named to the preseason first team, giving the Cougars the second most selections in the league.
Anderson started all 59 games at third base last season and was second on the team in Triple Crown categories with a .365 batting average, 10 home runs and 43 RBIs. Those stats, along with her 19 stolen bases, helped earn her an NFCA All-Region Selection.
Gaber, California native, is fifth all time in the Houston record books with a .321 career batting average. She ended last season with 50 consecutive games at right field after starting nine games at the designated player position.
The Cougars are picked to finish second behind last season’s champions the Golden Hurricanes of Tulsa, but Holas isn’t letting that get to her team’s head.
“Tulsa returns a great team, and they’re going to be a challenge for that top spot,” said Holas. “There’s so much that happens during the season that while we’re honored to be thought of this highly among our conference teams, we’re just going to let it all play out on the field and worry about what happens then. We’re just looking forward to having a good year and getting the season underway.”
