Planning for a ninth-consecutive winning season, BYU is bound and determined to take this team further than ever before.
“This is definitely a talented and united team,” BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. “We are well-rounded with experienced players balanced with new freshman talent. We also have depth which is really going to help out down the road in the season.”
What to expect for 2010:
The Cougars started their 2009-2010 season off with a bang by going undefeated in their fall season. Making every win count, reclaiming the Mountain West Conference title is one of the team’s main goals for 2010. As the conference continues to increase with talent and tough competition, the team will have to work hard to compete and win at the conference level.
“This team is more mature, united and experienced than last year,” Eakin said. “We plan on taking the talent and experience we already have, and enriching it through unity, respect and hard work.”
Another 2010 goal the Cougars have set is to go further in the NCAA post-season. After five-straight years appearing in an NCAA Regional, the Cougars are looking to 2010 as the year they reach Super Regional’s.
“We need to break this curse of only reaching Regional’s,” Angeline Quiocho said. “I know that this is the year where we will accomplish this goal.”
From the Circle:
As shown in the previous season, quality pitching is a staple for BYU.
For the second year in a row, right-handed pitcher Christie Zinanti reached another 20-plus win season with a total record of 21 wins and only 8 loses. BYU’s other powerhouse pitcher, right-hander Paige Affleck was only one victory away from a 20-win season as well.
Zinanti was named the MWC Pitcher of the Year in 2009 after finishing the season with a 1.67 ERA, striking out 207 opponents and pitching 193.1 innings.
Affleck will continue to mix it up from the mound as she bombards the plate with a variety of pitches ranging from a rising fastball to a change-up with catches batters off guard every time. Affleck finished the 2009 season with a 2.07 ERA spanning 44 appearances.
Returning Talent:
As Eakin looks towards the 2010 season, Eakin will look to his top performers to mold and unify the team into the competitor the team is capable of becoming. With only two players graduating last season, the Cougars hope to carry a winning mentality into a reality in 2010.
This season is team is stacked this year with upperclassman, consisting of six seniors and five juniors. Some, but not all, of these upperclassman include 2008 MWC Freshman of the Year Kristin Delahoussaye, 2009 MWC Player of the Year and All-American Purcell-Fitu, three-year starter Quiocho at third, and Andrea Ramirez who is a power hitter at the plate and a solid defensive player on the field.
Incoming Talent:
Perhaps the Cougars’ greatest strength for the 2009 season will come from the athleticism of their freshman class. This batch of freshman comes with talent and dedication, and Eakin fully expects all three to make an immediate impact.
Hannah Howell, a right-handed pitcher from Louisiana, will bring depth to the mound, Alexandra Hudson will provide strength in the outfield and J.C. Clayton will add solid defense to the infield at the shortstop position.
Looking Forward
With only losing two seniors, and gaining three ambitiously talented freshman, BYU possesses hopes to face their most successful season yet.
Eakin remains incredibly assured of the talent and depth on the roster, and are anxious to start, and finish the season with more wins than ever.
“We have a solid team, and a solid lineup which are definitely capable of great things,” Eakin said. “That does not mean that we are perfect by any means. We need to do a better job at starting off strong as a team instead of gradually gaining momentum as the game goes on. This team needs to maintain the mentality that they need to make things happen, rather than expect things to happen. If they can do this they will see the success they deserve.”
Seven pre-season tournaments, Red Desert Classic, Louisville Slugger, Cathedral Classic, Texas A&M Tournament, Arizona State Tournament, Stanford Tournament, and the Pre- Conference Tournament will help the Cougars get ready for the league run and bid to return to the NCAA Tournament.