ARKADELPHIA- The Ouachita Baptist softball program has been chosen to finish fourth in the 2010 Gulf South Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll, conference officials announced on Tuesday. The Lady Tigers also placed three members on the 2010 GSC Preseason Softball Team in juniors Kristen Rigsbee (Utility) and Sarah Bell (Second Baseman), as well as sophomore Taylor Austin (First Baseman/Outfield).
Arkansas-Monticello was chosen as the West Division favorite by GSC Coaches to finish in first place, receiving 35 votes overall. Following UAM is Arkansas Tech (27 votes), Delta State (26), Ouachita (23), Henderson State (17), Christian Brothers (11) and Southern Arkansas (8). East Division favorite Alabama-Huntsville received 10 of 13 total votes as the favorite to win the GSC Tournament Championship among all GSC schools.
“We set two major goals last year in making the conference tournament for the first time in school history, while also being the best academic team we could be,” Ouachita Head Softball Coach Mike McGhee said. “This team did both and we return the core of last season’s success. We have one major goal this year and that is to win the GSC West and we have the kids to do it if we can stay healthy.”
Rigsbee returns for her third season at Ouachita Baptist, after earning First Team All-GSC honors in 2009. The Frisco, Texas native recorded a team-high .372 batting average, including seven homeruns and 23 RBI at the plate. Rigsbee also recorded a 14-13 record on the mound, including a 1.99 ERA with 160 strikeouts in 2009. The junior owns the OBU home run record, while also being named the GSC Player of the Year as a freshman and boasting a 4.0 GPA.
Austin recorded a team-high 29 RBI during her debut collegiate season, while earning Second Team All-GSC honors in 2009. The Canton, Texas native was third on the team with a .348 batting average, with a team-high seven doubles and two homeruns. “Taylor is a sophomore that has all the tools,” McGhee said. “With a 5’10 frame, you couldn’t ask for a better target in an infielder.”
Bell earns her first accolade after hitting .238 in 2009, including a team-high seven doubles, one homerun and 14 RBI. “Sarah is going to draw some attention this season after an ACL injury her freshman year limited her to develop physically,” McGhee said. “She has worked really hard to get back to be the player I have expected and hit extremely well this fall off Division I pitching.”
Ouachita Baptist repeats its highest-ever Pre-season ranking after sharing the fourth spot in 2007, while also setting a program-first in having three players being named to the All-GSC Preseason Team. The Lady Tigers finished the 2009 season at 23-29, including a 12-18 record in GSC play. Ouachita also recorded a program-first in making the GSC Tournament for the first time in school history in 2009. Ouachita lost to No. 5 Valdosta State 2-1 on May 1, before the tournament was cancelled due to weather conditions.
The Lady Tigers also placed three freshman on the 2010 GSC Softball Preseason Top Newcomers list. Freshman Kayci Wilson (Pitcher), Bailey Sanders (Third Baseman) and Megan Askew (Utility) each earned honors as impact freshman for the Ouachita Baptist program.
“With Feb. 10 being our first game of the season, I expect that to be the first day of something special.”
Alan Greenwood
