In Year 2 of the Trisha Ford era, Texas A&M softball will face Valparaiso University at Davis Diamond at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9 after an NCAA regional loss to Texas last season.
Ford made an immediate impact on the team in her first year, finishing 35-21 with a 12-12 ledger in SEC play, winning five of eight conference series and the most regular season and conference series victories since the 2018 season. Ford was the only Power 5 head coach to lead their team to the NCAA Tournament in the first year at their school in 2023.
Under Ford, the Aggies’ pitching staff improved their overall team ERA from the prior season, going from 3.7 to 2.70 with a K-to-BB ratio of 2.44, up from 1.50.
The 2023 season was one full of individual achievements from the Aggie lineup. Senior catcher Julia Cottrill was named to the NFCA All-American Third Team, the 42nd All-American recognition in program history. Senior infielder Rylen Wiggins earned All-SEC First-Team honors. Sophomore infielder Amari Harper was named to the NFCA All-South Region Third Team. Junior infielder Koko Wooley earned All-SEC Second Team and NFCA All-South Region Second-Team recognition.
This season, Cottrill and graduate outfielder Jazmine Hill have been named to the Softball America Top 100 Player List. Cottrill was ranked the No. 6 catcher in the nation and No. 1 in the SEC. Hill was ranked No. 19 in the outfielder rankings.
A&M’s opening-weekend opponent, the Valparaiso Beacons, ended their 2022-23 season with an 8-41 record.
The Beacons have nine incoming freshmen set to compete in the 2024-25 season.
New to the Beacons this season, freshman pitcher Mia Carroll-Greeves has been named Cuyahoga County Pitcher of the Year and Great Lakes Conference Pitcher of the Year. Carroll-Greeves holds single-season program records for shutouts, ERA, strikeouts and no-hitters.
Erin Metz earned Second-Team All-State accolades as a junior for Wheaton North High School, three-time All-Conference honoree and 2023 MVP as she set the program single-season record for strikeouts.
The Aggies’ matchup with the Beacons is the first in program history. With A&M fully settled with its new leadership and Vaplo’s updated roster, the spectators can expect an exciting, unpredictable season opener.
