#41 Texas A&M Softball 2020 Preview

 
Texas A&M Aggies
 
Overall Rank: #41
Conference Rank: #11 SEC
 Texas A&M Logo
 
Texas A&M has gone to 18 straight NCAA Tournament’s under the leadership of Coach Jo Evans. That streak came dangerously close to ending last season though when the team won just six SEC games and went 28-27 overall. The Aggies did not prove they belonged once in the tournament either, losing both of their games against Houston and Texas. But this group has more than enough talent to return to their former glory and win 40 games and reach the Super Regionals.
 
2019: 28-27, 6-18
2019 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Jo Evans
 
Key Departed Players:
Baylee Klingler, .289 BA, 5 HR, 29 RBI
Riley Sartain, .255 BA, 7 HR, 25 RBI
 
Key Returning Players:
Kelbi Fortenberry, OF, .343 BA, 1 HR, 26 RBI, 11 SB
Payton McBride, P/1B, .329 BA, 5 HR, 30 RBI, 3.49 ERA, 9-7 W/L, 114.1 IP, 69 SO
Haley Lee, C, .269 BA, 2 HR, 15 RBI
Kendall Potts, P, 3.14 ERA, 12-13 W/L, 147.0 IP, 86 SO
 
Projection:
Kendall Potts and Payton McBride performed well in the circle last season. Potts, a transfer from Baylor, had a 3.14 ERA and McBride was 9-7 with a 3.49 ERA. McBride is also a major threat at the plate where she hit .329 with five homeruns and 30 RBIs. Kelbi Fortenberry is another solid hitter. She batted .343 with 26 RBIs and 11 stolen bases last season. McBride and Fortenberry will spend a lot of time on base, but somebody needs to drive them home. The Aggies struggled in that department in 2019, ranking 13th in the SEC in home runs and scoring. Florida State transfer Makinzy Herzog should help in that regard. As a freshman with the Seminoles last season she hit .316 with three homeruns, 26 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. If Texas A&M cannot find a way to generate more runs this season, this group could again find themselves dangerously close to ending their impressive tournament streak. 
 
Projected Postseason: NCAA Softball Tournament