As the Auburn Softball team opens the season on the road, spirits are high as to the team's future. The Tigers face the national champions of the past two years, 2009's Washington Huskies and 2008's Arizona State Sun Devils, in this week's Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz.
"I'm looking forward to the tough schedule," said Auburn head coach Tina Deese. "I know a lot of coaches wouldn't necessarily look forward to a tough schedule, but we're going to find out right away where we stand. We're out there playing in these nonconference tournaments which should get us ready for conference play, and that's what it's all about."
Auburn has been in practice since Jan. 11 and welcomes new players such as Caitlin Stangl to the roster. Stangl said an important element the team has been working on is overall teamwork.
"Usually on a team you have to work on chemistry, but we have that already," Stangl said. "That was a huge obstacle we overcame. I'm looking forward to seeing everything we've worked for, all the hard work, all the sprints, all the hitting, come together and seeing what comes out of it."
Another facet of the Tigers' practice regimen has been hitting. Auburn was picked to finish third in the SEC West Tuesday, and with opponents like Alabama visiting Jane B. Moore Field this season, hitting percentages will have to improve.
"Playing Bama here is going to be pretty fun," said junior infielder Kyndall White. "I think our pitching and our hitting could get a little bit better. We're young so we're going to have a lot of people who have experience and a lot of people who don't, so hitting-wise we need to improve a lot." Pitching is an area with a degree of versatility. Senior pitcher Anna Thompson holds career records at Auburn in lowest batting average against (.179) and most single game strikeouts, 18 against Middle Tennessee State.
"I'm really excited about the competition," Thompson said. "I've always looked forward to playing the absolute best and we get to start off with them. (Washington and Arizona State) are going to bring their best and we've reallygottobeontopofour game."
Versatility is key to Auburn's offensive structure. Deese said the level of preseason enthusiasm will make the Tigers a force to be reckoned with in the coming year.
"I think that if we get better offensively we're going to see a much better team," Deese said. "Defensively I think we're actually pretty solid with a few options that we haven't had in awhile. The pitching staff right now is healthy and ready to go, so hopefully we'll do well. "
High levels of play begin at practice.
"Practice has been really good, really cutthroat," Stengl said. "We've been getting our stuff done. We have stuff to work on, and we work on some things more than others, but we're looking forward to seeing all of it go into play and seeing how we work together."
Auburn plays Washington tonight at 7 p.m., followed by Arizona State tomorrow at 8 p.m. Texas Tech Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and Notre Dame Sunday at 5:30 p.m. Auburn opens at home in the Tiger Invitational Feb. 19-24.
"There is a lot of energy, a lot of positive attitude," Deese said. "We have a pretty talented group. We've got great competition. If you like baseball and you like a faster pace, come out. If you come out, you'll come back."
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