Lone Star Conference Release

RICHARDSON – Every race has a frontrunner, and the Angelo State softball team is just that after being voted the Lone Star Conference Preseason Poll favorite announced by league officials Thursday. The Rambelles collected 232 points with eight first-place votes.

“It's an honor for our program to be recognized amongst our conference as a team that can go out and compete at a high level,” Angelo State head coach Travis Scott said. “Although the preseason favorite is a wonderful honor, it doesn't mean anything because our team knows how tough the rest of the LSC is.”

Incarnate Word was picked to finish second (214), just ahead of West Texas A&M (212). Midwestern State collected nine first-place votes and finished in fourth place (206) ahead of Texas Woman's (142). Abilene Christian (135), Tarleton State (102), Cameron (87), Texas A&M-Kingsville (68) and Eastern New Mexico (32) round out the remaining teams.

Texas Woman's Bailey Vrazel was named LSC Preseason Player of the Year, while Briana Sanchez of Incarnate Word was tabbed Preseason Pitcher of the Year.  Vrazel finished the 2011 season with 74 stolen bases – tops of any collegiate level – and a .423 batting average. Sanchez paced the Cardinals with a 21-11 record last year and a 1.89 earned run average.

“The LSC is probably one of the top conferences in the nation, and whoever is able to survive it will be one of the top teams in this region,” Scott said. “There are no weak teams in the Lone Star Conference, and you have to show up every weekend ready to play.”

The Rambelles return eight starters to a team that finished as the LSC South Champions and one win shy of earning a trip to the NCAA Super Regionals a year ago. Angelo State added depth to its lineup in the offseason, signing seven additional players. 

Angelo State's 2012 journey begins Feb. 2 at 5 p.m. when the Rambelles take on Rollins in the St. Mary's Tournament in San Antonio.