Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Goodwell, Okla.—OPSU Softball will start off the 2015 season on the road with a four-game series Feb. 2-3 against the University of the Southwest in Hobbs, N.M.

The Lady Aggies are set for an exciting season as they return ten players from last year including starters Anyssa Barbosa (CF), Salina Galindo (3B), Madison Heathington (C), and Samantha Arledge (P). Guymon's own Taylor Richardson will also be back on the mound joined by infielders Kinzie Spurgin and Michaela MacGillivray, outfielders Shelby Perry and Laura Trehal, and utility player Regina Guth.

Eight freshmen and four transfers have joined this year's squad, several of which are expected to make an early impact; freshmen Julia Ibarra (P/OF) and Brooklyne Bolton (C) will see playing time along with transfers Darcie Wilson (C) and Ashley Jarzombek (SS). Other newcomers on the rise include Daisy Recinos (OF), Cortney Clark (OF), Marissa Cortez (P), Faith Guzman (IF), Jackie Sanchez (IF), Ashby Williams (IF) and Autumn Creason (IF).

OPSU Head Coach Meghan Mulcahy will look to strong hitters Madison Heathington, Brooklyne Bolton and Samantha Arledge to take the lead on offense, but has put a heavy focus on defense during the off-season. Mulcahy is pleased with her team's progress saying, "We should be pretty solid defensively. I expect our players to compete hard every day and fight for their positions on the team."

With the loss of assistant coach Jason Miner, who stepped into the head baseball coaching position this summer, Mulcahy welcomes a new assistant coach, Luisa Baer, to the softball family. Baer comes to OPSU from Cologne, Germany after finishing her playing career at Iowa Western CC and St. Gregory's. Coach Baer has taken over the Aggie outfield and is eager to jump into her first year of coaching. Former Aggie infielder Ashly Duin will serve as a student assistant coach along with Sarah Gregori who will help with team and game-day management.

The Aggies will compete in two big tournaments early this season starting with the 8-State Classic in Bentonville, Ark. Feb. 13-15; they follow up with the North Texas Softball Bash in Mansfield, Texas Feb. 20-22. Coach Mulcahy looks forward to these tournaments and feels they offer great experience through playing so many different teams. The Aggies will use these early games to gauge their progress and to prepare for the conference stretch which begins Feb. 27 at Oklahoma Christian.

Softball fans will have to wait until Feb. 24 for the Aggies' first home contest, a double-header against Mid-America Christian. This year's schedule consists of 11 home dates providing plenty of spring-time action at the ballpark. A complete schedule listing is available on the Softball page of the OPSU Aggie Athletics website along with a full team roster.