The 2005 Texas softball team has only a few changes from last year's roster, but one of them could mean the difference between a repeat sub .500 record and a trip to the Women's College World Series: Cat Osterman.
The junior pitcher returns to the 40 Acres after her successful stint with the U.S. national team and brings high expectations to go along with her low ERA.
Adding to the excitement is the return of the bulk of the team's offense. Last year's Texas bats matched their 2003 RBI totals and shattered the team record for home runs - also set in 2003 - despite playing in nine fewer games.
If the return of Osterman coupled with a record-setting offense isn't enough, the arrival of top recruits Desiree Williams and Meagan Denny, along with the return of senior pitcher Amy Bradford from injury, has head coach Connie Clark excited.
"This should be our absolute best group from a talent standpoint," Clark said.
Osterman's return brings not just her on-field presence but also a contagious attitude of winning.
"There's a sense of confidence that the Olympians exude and that you just kind of inherit," Osterman said. "I brought that back, and I think that if I exude that then the team will see it. They will be just as confident, and they are already. The confidence coming out of this team so early is more than you see in the past."
Clark agrees, and likes what she sees from her team not just physically, but mentally.
"I always believe that first of all, in your heart and in your gut, that you have to feel like you really can win it all - that it can't just be a dream," Clark said. "You have to have that feeling concrete, and I think this group has that."
Other coaches around the country are taking notice as well. Texas enters the season ranked sixth and 15th in the two major polls, and were picked by Big 12 coaches to win the conference. The Longhorns are the only team in either poll that had a losing record last season.
But on-field excellence isn't the only thing the 2005 team has going for it. The players say that this year's squad has a closeness and a bond more than any Longhorn team in recent years.
"I think for as early as it is, even though we haven't even played a game yet, the cohesiveness of this team is amazing," Osterman said. "You don't have to be best friends, but its kind of a nice thing to have."
Whether running through practice drills, going out to eat or catching the latest episode of "The Bachelor" or "The O.C.", the team does it together, Osterman said. "We're just a big happy family and it's happened quicker than it's ever happened before."
Pitchers aplenty
Pitching coach Marla Looper lit up like a kid in a candy store when asked about the depth of her pitching staff, and after contending with a depleted staff last season, her excitement is understandable.
Having six pitchers on the team makes for some hectic practices for Looper, but she's not complaining.
"I will never, never, not want six pitchers, cause it's a great pleasure to have that many," Looper said. "There are days when we've got to throw all six at once. We've got two in the right field bullpen, three in the left field bullpen, and one on the field, and I just walk a path in the dirt getting from one to the other."
Freshman impact
In 2004, Clark signed a group of four freshmen who will make an immediate impact, particularly Meagan Denny and Desiree Williams.
Denny will see significant time in the circle early in the season while senior pitcher Amy Bradford recovers from injury.
"She's going to definitely throw some impact innings for us this spring," Looper said, "She's going to open some eyes of our competitors and people across the country."
In Williams, Clark got a phenomenal and versatile athlete. Williams can pitch, play in the field and swing the bat.
"Lovingly, I'd say that she's a monster," Clark said. "She's a physical specimen. She's so strong and she's so gifted."
Williams has had Clark ducking for cover a few times when the coach pitches batting practice.
"Today, we were throwing foam balls, but she's one that if I'm throwing regular balls, I better be behind a screen."
Texas' other freshmen, MicKayla Padilla and Rachael Cook, are both competing for spots in the outfield.
Under the radar offense
In the shadow of last season's subpar record was the development of the Texas bats. The team's offensive numbers jumped in nearly every category, particularly in terms of power. The team's slugging percentage jumped from .370 to .420 in 2004, and the Longhorns broke the team home run record.
"On paper, last year wasn't really pretty, but that was one thing we got out of it," Clark said. "That was our best offensive year we've had, and we've got a lot of those hitters back. I think they're even more confident than they were last year."
The offense's versatility has last year's co-MVP Wynter Turner excited.
"We have people who can put the bunt down, people with speed, and then we have people who can hit it out of the park," Turner said.
With the teams stellar pitching staff, Clark said the offense must focus on not settling for just a few runs.
"If we could put a blanket over the scoreboard we'd do that, because we'd like to just focus offensively so that we keep getting after it regardless of what the score is."
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