Posted: Jan 29, 2016

2016 Softball Preview

With only days away until the start of the 2016 softball season, the Lady Tigers softball program is poised to challenge each of their conference opponents for its first ACC Conference championship, according to head coach Kirstyn Joiner, in her first season at the helm of the MMI program.

"These girls are fighters," Joiner said. "Our tough off–season preparation uniquely challenged them physically and mentally to be ready to face strong teams in our conference and into post season. We are excited to see the benefits of their hard work".

Two new faces will join the team's battery on the mound. The team will look often to freshman standout Veronica Maresca in the upcoming season. Maresca, a left-handed pitcher from Clovis North High School in Fresno, California, boasts a resume that includes 2012 Varsity Pitcher of the Year and 2013 Defensive Player of the Year. Leading a team to success is nothing new for Maresca, who carried her 2012 team to a Division 11 Championship series and to the Triple Crown/ USA Nationals Gold Bracket Winner in Lake Tahoe in 2013.

Another new face that Coach Joiner and the lady tigers will look to is pitcher/third baseman, Kendra Larkin (Richwood, Ohio). Larkin attended North Union High School before moving to Oxford, AL. her junior season. While at Oxford, Larking led her team to two 6A Area Championships and was named to the All-County team.

Defense and offense will both prove to be strong with Alisea Balderaz and Ashley Holt returning to lead the team. "We depend a lot on our sophomores to get our team where we need to be. Their leadership makes the difference between us being good and being great" said Joiner. Balderaz (Alvin, TX) is one of the four returning players for MMI. Alisea is coming off a stellar freshman season as she shined offensively with a .344 batting average with 55 hits. "We will continue to look to Balderaz to succeed offensively at the plate" said Joiner.

Ashley Holt (Fort Worth, TX) is another returner for MMI. Defensively Ashley will play a big role for MMI. The left fielder has big shoes to fill from last year's All-Conference player Emily Tarango, but coach Joiner believes that Ashley will have no problem filling those shoes, as she predicts that she will join Tarango with an All-Conference player title.

The Lady Tigers look to improve in every area this year while playing a very challenging series of games. MMI will launch their season with home game Feb. 5th against Holmes Community College at 1:00pm.