‘Belles softball prepares for season

ASU's softball team may be number one in the annual preseason poll, but Head Coach Travis Scott says it means nothing in the long run.

"It's always nice to be honored by your conference and be a favorite going into the season," Scott said. "But at the same time, we realize that it's still 0-0 and it's the postseason poll that matters and we're just looking forward to getting to play and see how things go throughout the year."

Coach Scott knows about the postseason, having won a Division II National Championship in 2004, four Division II South Central Regional titles, and five Lone Star Conference Tournament Titles.

ASU's softball record with Travis Scott as head coach is 370-116.

Eight of the 2011 starters are returning to play this year and seven new players are joining the team.

"You look at Kacie Easley, who was a first team All-American as a freshman, had a solid year last year and she's really come back for her junior season," Scott said. "She's had a great fall, a great preseason and practice, is hitting better and better behind the plate; looking for great things out of her."

Easley isn't the only one that has caught Scott's attention.  He's noticed senior staff ace Claire Molina.

"Claire Molina is working hard and taking leadership of her pitching staff," Scott said.

Molina is coming off a pitching season with a 23-8 record with a 2.60 earned run average and 149 strikeouts.

"I use a curve ball, screwball, rise ball, drop ball, and a slow drop curve," Molina said. "I've been working on my drop ball this offseason."

Molina said she wants to be a strikeout pitcher, but trusts her defense to help her out when batters make contact.

"I want to get as many Ws [wins] as I can," Molina said. "Work as hard as I can, making it to the very end without getting injured."

The Rambelles' home opener is Feb. 11 with a double-header against Central Oklahoma, and the girls feel like the team is ready.

"I think we have a great group of girls," Molina said. "We all get along really well."