Angelo State Softball Opens Season at DII First Pitch Invitational

SAN ANGELO, TX — The Angelo State softball team will open its fourth consecutive season in Conroe at the Scrap Yard Sports facility, competing in the DII First Pitch Invitational. All five of the Rambelles' opponents this weekend are teams they have faced in Conroe over the past three seasons.

Last season, Angelo State went 5-1 in its opening weekend, with the only loss coming against No. 19 Rogers State. The Rambelles claimed victories over No. 17 Wingate, Central Washington, MSU Denver, Arkansas Tech, and Colorado Mesa.

Head coach Travis Scott returns 13 players from last season's squad and adds five newcomers — three freshmen and two transfers — to a team that is ranked 11th in the NFCA Preseason Poll.

Top returners include LSC All-Conference selections Tatiana Trotter (outfield), Laylonna Applin (infield), and Averie Gunther (infield). Trotter, also an NFCA All-Region selection, hit .353 and set a program record with nine triples. Applin posted a .304 batting average as a freshman, while Gunther led the team with a .456 on-base percentage.

Also returning are outfielder Carter Smith and infielders Erin Plunkett and Zoey De Baca, all of whom played in 50 or more games last season.

Newcomers include Division I transfers Paris Brienesse (UT Arlington) and Blake Holtorf (Charleston Southern), along with freshmen Bri Waters (utility), Kamryn Loeffler (outfield), and Amaya Cabrera (catcher).

Angelo State returns four pitchers from a staff that was among the best in Division II, led by Second Team All-American Cheyenne Floyd. Floyd, the LSC Preseason Pitcher of the Year, posted a 1.89 ERA last season with a 20-10 record, striking out 167 batters in 163 innings while holding opponents to a .207 batting average.

Matie Wolkow had a 1.91 ERA in 26 appearances last season and recorded five saves. Amelia Hatthorn (3.15 ERA, 5-0 record) and Averie Gunther (3.14 ERA, 4-1 record) also return in the circle, joined by redshirt freshman Raegan Sucher and Waters.

DII First Pitch Invitational Schedule
Conroe, Texas

The Rambelles' five opponents this weekend combined for a 187-96 record, good for a .661 winning percentage. Three of the teams won conference titles last season, and three qualified for the NCAA Tournament.

• No. 11 Angelo State vs. Regis - Friday, Jan. 31, 11 a.m.

  • Regis, the reigning RMAC Tournament champions, went 33-26 last season and upset top-seeded West Texas A&M in the South Central Regional. The Rangers return four hitters from last season's lineup that hit .320. The Rambelles have won all three matchups against Regis, including two victories last season at the ASU George and Ola McCorkle Challenge.

• No. 11 Angelo State vs. RV Pittsburg State - Friday, Jan. 31, 1:30 p.m. Live Stats

  • Pittsburg State, the MIAA Regular Season champions, went 53-8 last season and was the top seed in the Central Region. The Gorillas hit .348 as a team and return top hitter Heather Arnett, who hit .454 and stole 51 bases. The Rambelles are 2-1 all-time against Pittsburg State, with the Gorillas winning the last matchup, 3-2, in Conroe in 2023.

• No. 11 Angelo State vs. No. 21 Colorado Mesa - Saturday, Feb. 1, 11 a.m. Live Stats

  • Colorado Mesa, ranked 21st in the NFCA Preseason Poll, went 46-11 last season and won the RMAC Regular Season Championship. The Mavericks return six top hitters, including First Team All-American Myah Arrieta, who hit .470 with 28 home runs. The Rambelles are 6-2 against Colorado Mesa, having won 7-6 last season in Conroe.

• No. 11 Angelo State vs. Colorado School of Mines - Saturday, Feb. 1, 1:30 p.m. Live Stats

  • Colorado School of Mines went 29-23 last season and returns five hitters, including Kendall Aragon (.398) and Kellan Ton (.347, 25 stolen bases). The Rambelles are 6-0 all-time against the Orediggers, having won the last matchup, 6-1, in Conroe in 2022.

• No. 11 Angelo State vs. Southeastern Oklahoma - Sunday, Feb. 2, 12:30 p.m.

  • Southeastern Oklahoma went 26-28 last season and returns top hitter Sage Harlow (.326) and pitcher Emily Simmons, who posted a 3.07 ERA. The Rambelles are 14-3 all-time against the Savage Storm, having won the last matchup, 8-5, in Conroe in 2022.