PROVO, Utah – After winning its 10th-straight conference title and advancing to the NCAA Regionals for the 14th year in a row during the 2018 season, BYU softball looks to continue its legacy into the 2019 season.
The 2019 team is led by its 16 returning players including senior catcher Libby Sugg who was named 2018 NFCA Third Team All-American, West Coacst Conference Player of the Year junior Rylee Jensen, junior Kerisa Viramontes who was named WCC Co-Pitcher of the Year and WCC Freshman of the Year Bridget Fleener.
BYU’s 2019 season consists of five seniors, four juniors, seven sophomores, including transfer Taylei Williams, and four new freshman. The Cougars lost four starters after the 2018 season including seniors Alexa Strid, Caitlyn Alldredge, Brielle Breland and Madison Merrill, but are looking to fill their positions with up-and-coming.
The Cougars were voted to claim the 2019 WCC Conference title by the leagues’ head coaches in the preseason poll. Fleener, Jensen, Sugg, Lexi Tarrow, Autumn Moffatt and Viramontes all claimed a spot on the 2019 Preseason All-WCC team.
Catching
Led by senior captain Sugg, the Cougars will have versatility in the catching position as sophomore Morgan Bevell will also see time behind the plate after appearing in 10 games as a freshman.
During the 2018 season, Sugg led the 2018 team in several categories. The Tennessee native received many 2018 post-season honors including NFCA Division I Third Team All-American, NCAA Eugene All-Region Team, NFCA All-Pacific Second Team, All-WCC First Team and WCC All-Academic Team. In her final season with the Cougars, the two-time captain will continue to lead the team on and off the field as well as add to her presence in the BYU softball record book.
WCC Freshman of the Year, Fleener could also see time at the catching position but will mainly be BYU’s designated player. Fleener had the second highest hitting percentage on the team in 2018 at .378. She totaled 45 hits and 14 runs during the season with 30 RBI.
Infield
After losing three starters in the infield, new talent will step up to fill the void. Senior captain Allie Hancock will be an experienced asset for the Cougars at first base. Fellow senior Olivia Sanchez will also see time there, while also contributing in the designated player role.
Marissa Chavez will take the lead at the shortstop position while Williams, Emilee Erickson and Martha Epenesa will vie for time at third base. Erin Miklus and Ashley Godfrey will take control at second base while freshman Alyssa Podhurcak will serve as the primary utility player for the Cougars with the ability to play all infield positions.
Outfield
BYU returns all of its starting outfielders including left fielder Jensen, right fielder Tarrow and center fielder Brooke Vander Heide.
Jensen led the team in runs with 57 during the 2018 season while hitting .329, tallying 54 hits, 21 RBI and 6 home runs. The 2018 WCC Player of the Year and 2017 Co-Freshman of the Year, also received 2018 postseason recognition being named NFCA All-Pacific Third Team and All-WCC First Team.
Right fielder Lexi Tarrow, returns to BYU for her senior season after being named to the All-WCC first team after the 2018 season. She led the team with 18 stolen bases while hitting .345. Brooke Vander Heide returns to center field for her junior year after playing in 50 games last year and freshman Aubrielle Paulson could also see time at right field.
Pitching
The Cougars will rotate between three starting pitchers throughout the season. The WCC Co-Pitcher of the Year, Viramontes, returns for her junior season after starting 27 games in the circle last year, tallying 19 wins and maintaining an ERA of 2.11.
Sophomore Autumn Moffat will also serve as a starter with 104.2 innings pitched during the 2018 campaign. Redshirt sophomore Arissa Paulson returns after missing the back end of the 2018 season because of an injury. She pitched in 12 games and finished with a 2.67 ERA.
The 2019 slate begins at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge on Thursday, February 7. The Cougars will play a doubleheader against South Carolina at 10 a.m. CST and Baylor at 3 p.m. CST both at Nancy Almaraz Stadium.