Softball LSC Preason Poll Released; Season Opener in Lubbock

Softball 1/30/2019 3:40:00 PM

Softball LSC Preason Poll Released; Season Opener in Lubbock

Silver City, N.M – The Western New Mexico Softball team was tabbed 11^th in the preseason poll released by the Lone Star Conference league officials Wednesday. The team prepares to open their season this weekend in Lubbock, TX at the TAJ Hospitality College Softball Kickoff.

The Lady Mustangs picked up 32 points, 11^th overall, while Angelo State was the top pick with 282 points and 12 first place votes. West Texas followed up with 256 points, one point ahead of Tarleton State to complete the top trio. Angelo State's Taegan Kirk grabbed Preseason Player of the Year honors, while Tarleton State's Jordan Withrow was named Preseason Pitcher of the Year.

This weekend's tournament will feature seven team, three of which are Lone Star Conference members. Western will open the weekend on Friday, taking on Oklahoma Christian followed by Southern Nazarene and Midwestern State. The team will close out the tournament against Chadron State and Lubbock Christian on Sunday.

WNMU returns 10, while adding two transfers and six freshman to the squad.
Senior Ariana Maldonado (Albuquerque, NM/Cibola) returns for the Lady Mustangs as the top-hitter, leading the team in batting average (.357), hits (61), and RBIs (36). Maldonado also recorded 18 doubles and 11 home runs as a junior. Her efforts earned her conference honors. Redshirt sophomore, Alicia Habitzreuther (Sierra Vista, AZ/Buena) added a .325 batting average, following closely behind Maldonado in RBIs (29) and runs scored (24).

The Lady Mustangs return Lyanna Wadell in the circle, while adding Imperial Valley CC transfer Jayln McClain (El Centro, CA) and freshman Julia Vega (Tucson, AZ/University High School).

The Softball Kickoff will be the first of two tournaments for the Lady Mustangs as they head to St. George, Utah the following weekend for the Courtyard Classic Tournament hosted by Dixie State

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Players Mentioned

#5 Alicia Habitzreuther: 2B/SS; 5' 6"; Redshirt Freshman; R/R

#9 Ariana Maldonado: OF; 5' 3"; Junior; R/R

#18 Julia Vega: P; 5' 6"; Freshman; R/R

#21 Jalyn McClain: P; 5' 11"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#5 Alicia Habitzreuther
: 5' 6"; Redshirt Freshman; R/R
: 2B/SS

#9 Ariana Maldonado
: 5' 3"; Junior; R/R
: OF

#18 Julia Vega
: 5' 6"; Freshman; R/R
: P

#21 Jalyn McClain
: 5' 11"; Junior; R/R
: P