Texas A&M Aggies
Overall Rank: #19
Conference Rank: #7 SEC
Texas A&M Team Page
The Texas A&M Aggies and Head Coach Jo Evans will begin their first season in the ultra-tough SEC. The 2012 campaign for the Ags was another successful one in the program’s storied history. Coach Evans enters her 17th season at the helm after leading her club to the NCAA post season for the 11th consecutive season and 13th overall in her tenure. Coach Evans has won well over 900 games and put together squads that have amassed 30 victories for 15 straight seasons and seven 40 plus win years, including the last three. The Aggies bring back 15 letter winners and five starters from a club that finished 2012 with an RPI rank of 10, was 8th in home runs per game and 17th in slugging nationally. Coach Evans has put together a tough early season slate, as usual, including tilts against UCLA, North Carolina, Louisiana, Michigan and Oregon. The Ags have 29 home games, three versus 2012 conference champions, 11 NCAA post season qualifiers, five Super Regional squads and three teams that reached the World Series, including National Champ Alabama. Every league game in 2013, except Ole Miss is against a team with a top 50 RPI.
2012: 41-18, 16-8
2012 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Jo Evans, 17th Season
Field Players:
Four All Big 12 selectees return to pace the A&M offense and defense. Junior left fielder Emily Albus hit in the two hole in 2012. She hit .386 and stole a team-high 15 bases. She may move to the leadoff spot this spring. Nicole Morgan, like Albus brings some versatility to the defense working some behind the plate and at first base. The junior hit .299 with nine bombs last year. Junior Meagan May is one of the most dangerous hitters in the country as evidenced by her 56 walks in 2012. The number ranked her fourth nationally. The catcher had a .293 average and delivered 14 home runs. Cassie Tysarczyk patrols the A&M outfield and spent much of the season hitting in the cleanup spot. The junior hit .296, smashing eight long balls, driving in 41. Junior Amber Garza returns at third base.
Pitchers:
Senior two-time All-American Mel Dumezich is one of the best all-around players in the country, carrying her team in the circle and at the plate. In 2012 the righty won 28 games, 15th in the country, with a 2.01 ERA. Dumezich made 50 appearances, starting 40 times. She tossed 31 complete games, including eight shutouts. She fanned 307, which ranks 12th nationally. At the plate, she was 10th in the country with 22 home runs. She hit .306, slugged .707 and walked 39 times.
Sophomore Lauren Ainsley comes back after a freshman campaign where she appeared 16 times, collecting 47 innings.
Who to Watch:
Coach Evans’ 2013 recruiting class was outstanding. Two of the three freshmen landed on the 2012 ESPN Top 100 Recruit List. Cali Lanphear was 33rd. The left handed hitting catcher was a Texas All-State selection. Breana Dozier, 64th on the ESPN list, was All Dallas-Fort Worth twice. The corner infielder was among the leaders in home runs and RBI and had an encouraging fall.
Final Projection:
Texas A&M brings back an experienced crew to make its debut in the SEC. A typically tough non-conference schedule should have Coach Evans’ club appropriately tuned up for the gauntlet that is the SEC. If Dumezich can stay healthy and repeat previous success in the circle and at the plate, the Aggies should have a good chance to have another solid season, finish top eight in the league and earn a trip to the SEC Tournament, which would ensure another visit to the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Softball Tournament
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Emily Albus, IF/OF, 176
Hits: Emily Albus, IF/OF, 68
Home Runs: Mel Dumezich, P/IF, 20
RBIs: Mel Dumezich, P/IF, 47
Runs: Cassie Tysarczyk, OF, 34
Stolen Bases: Emily Albus, IF/OF, 15
Wins: Mel Dumezich, P/IF, 28
Innings Pitched: Mel Dumezich, P/IF, 275
Strikeouts: Mel Dumezich, P/IF, 307
Saves: Mel Dumezich, P/IF, 2
Madness 2013 NPF Draft Rankings:
#15 Mel Dumezich
#19 Meagan May
Madness 2013 Softball Recruit Rankings:
#40 Cali Lanphear
#86 Brianna Dozier
See All Softball Top 44 Team Previews
