Several new faces and three returning senior All-Conference starters will play key roles in the upcoming 2018 University of the Ozarks softball season. The Eagles lost four starters from last year's squad, but have plenty of capable replacements entering the new season. The Eagles have eight new players on the roster and return All-Conference players Katie Ventress, Brooke Hoffsommer and Hannah Oler. The trio is expected to guide an otherwise young team. Ventress, a designated player and pitcher, led the team in batting (.289), hits (28), total bases (44), home runs (4), RBI (17), slugging percentage (.454), walks (13) and on-base percentage (.373). Hoffsommer, an outfielder, led the team with 18 runs and 111 at-bats and ranked second in hits (25) and total bases (30). Oler, a designated player and pitcher, led the team in innings pitched (123.0) and strikeouts (27), while also homering and driving in seven runs. In the circle, she led the club in complete games (14) and recorded one shutout. Oler, Ventress and Abby Mork make up the pitching staff for Rodriguez.
With numerous young players competing in the toughest NCAA Division III conference in the country, Rodriguez has emphasized the importance of adjusting to the collegiate game.
"The basics of the game don't change much, but the speed of the game does," he said. "Everything is hit or pitched a little harder, and the players move faster. Everything they did prior to collegiate softball has prepared them for this, but now they have to understand they need to make adjustments and move forward."
2017 Record (ASC): 6-31 (4-29)
2017 Conference Finish: 11th
2017 Post-Season Tournament: None
Returning Starters: Katie Ventress, RHP, Senior; Cheyanna Miller, C, Junior; Sydney Key, UT, Sophomore; Brooke Hoffsommer, 3B/OF, Senior; Hannah Oler, LHP/OF, Senior; and Hailey Ostrander, SS, Junior
Newcomers: Bryce Yates (SS/INF/Freshman/Chandler, Texas); Kieara Bryant (OF/Freshman/Garfield, Ark.); Megan Madden (OF/Freshman/Flower Mound, Texas); Brittney Dean (OF/Freshman/Rogers, Ark.); Riki Haase (C/INF/Freshman/Argyle, Texas); Jaela Martin (OF/Freshman/Star City, Ark.); Brooke Savoie (C/Sophomore/Breaux Bridge, La.); Gabby Ellis (UT/Freshman/Plainview, Ark.); and Taylor Teague (2B/Freshman/Hope, Ark.)
Batting
2017 Top Batting Average: Katie Ventress (.289)
2017 Top RBI Producer: Katie Ventress (17)
2017 Most HR: Katie Ventress (4)
2017 Most Runs: Brooke Hoffsommer (18)
Pitching
2017 Lowest ERA: Hannah Oler (4.67)
2017 Most IP: Hannah Oler (123.0)
2017 Most Strikeouts: Hannah Oler (27)
All-Conference Players Returning: Katie Ventress, designated player/pitcher - Second Team; Brooke Hoffsommer, centerfielder - Honorable Mention Team; and Hannah Oler, designated player/pitcher - Honorable Mention
Program Playoff Appearances: None
Coach Rodriguez Quotes:
"We talk to all the girls about raising the bar in everything they do, not just on game days. This includes practice, how they prepare themselves mentally and their preparation in the off-season. One of the things we have asked our players to do is be coachable. They have responded well and are willing to open up and listen."
2018 Schedule
February
9 @ Texas A&M-Texarkana (DH)-12:00 p.m./2:00 p.m.
16 @ *Sul Ross State (DH)-12:00 p.m./2:00 p.m.
17 @ *Sul Ross State-12:00 p.m.
23 vs *Belhaven-2:00 p.m.
24 vs *Belhaven (DH)-12:00 p.m/2:00 p.m.
27 @ *Hendrix College (DH)-5:00 p.m./7:00 p.m.
March
2 @ *Louisiana College (DH)-5:00 p.m./7:00 p.m.
3 @ *Louisiana College-12:00 p.m.
9 vs *Howard Payne (DH)-12:00 p.m./2:00 p.m.
10 vs *Howard Payne- 11:00 a.m.
16 @ *East Texas Baptist (DH)-6:00 p.m./8:00 p.m.
17 @ *East Texas Baptist -12:00 p.m.
23 vs *Texas Dallas (DH)-2:00 p.m./4:00 p.m.
24 vs *Texas Dallas-12:00 p.m.
April
3 vs Hendrix College (DH)-2:00 p.m./4:00 p.m.
6 @ *LeTourneau University (DH)-5:00 p.m./7:00 p.m
7 @ *LeTourneau University-12:00 p.m.
13 vs *Hardin-Simmons (DH)-2:00 p.m./4:00 p.m.
14 vs *Hardin-Simmons-12:00 p.m.
20 @ *Texas-Tyler-6:30 p.m.
21 @ *Texas-Tyler (DH)-12:00 p.m/2:00 p.m.
27 vs *McMurry University (DH)-2:00 p.m./4:00 p.m.
28 vs *McMurry University-12:00 p.m.
May
3-5 @ ASC Tournament
*American Southwest Conference Game
