Cowgirl softball set to kickoff 2022 in Albuquerque

LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- The New Mexico Highlands softball team gets its 2022 slate underway Saturday as it hosts the South Central Region Crossover in Albuquerque.

The Cowgirls will take on Eastern New Mexico (10:30 a.m.) and UT Permian Basin (3:30 p.m.) on Saturday and Western New Mexico (10:30 a.m.) and ENMU (3:30 p.m.) on Sunday at the Albuquerque Regional Sports Complex.

NMHU is coming off an 8-32 campaign (all RMAC contests) in 2021 in coach Kevin Jannusch's first season at the helm.

The Cowgirls return nine players from that squad - including All-RMAC Second Team outfielder Camrynn Ziegler and All-RMAC Honorable Mention first baseman/catcher Carlee Gonzalez. Ziegler hit an NMHU-best .387 last season with a 1.037 OPS - hitting five homers, 11 doubles, three triples and driving in 20 runs, scoring 28 and stealing a team-high 14 bases. Gonzalez was the Cowgirls' top slugging threat, hitting a team-best 11 home runs while driving in a team-best 21 runs to go along with a team-best 1.190 OPS (hitting .343 with a team-best .731 slugging percentage and adding a NMHU-best .459 on-base percentage.

"Of course having Cam and Carlee back is a great base to start with," Jannusch said. "The whole team relies on their leadership and examples both on and off the field. We expect them to pick up where they left off."

To go along with the nine returners, there are 12 newcomers on the roster this season - In the six freshmen and six junior college transfers.

In the circle this year, Nathalie Blattmann (6-15, 8.16 ERA) and Paige Varni (2-4, 8.02 ERA) return for NMHU. Transfers Arianna Ramirez, Demi Uffelman and Anahi Ruiz will also see time as Ramirez was a 19-game winner at Southeastern CC and Uffelman was an NJCAA All-American and participated in the NJCAA World Series for North Dakota State School of Science.

Behind the plate, Gonzalez returns but will likely see more time at first base while Alice Midiri (McCook JC) and Heaven Medina seeing time behind the plate.

Gonzalez and Megan Gutierrez will see time at first base with Uffelman also possibly seeing time. Returner Brooke De La Garza and freshman Mickey Sibley will battle for time at second base, Ramirez will start at third base with Ruiz playing third when Ramirez pitches (she will be the designated player when not playing third) and freshman Dioni Lincoln is set to start at shortstop with McKayla Encinias also set to see innings.

In the outfield, Ziegler will again patrol center field, retuner Savannah Pineda and freshman Alessandra De La Trinidad are battling for a the spot in left field and return Samantha Gamboa will start in right field with Gloria Di Lauro and returner Ayanna Lorenzo in the mix.

"Overall, we've improved our defense," Jannusch said. "Dioni may be among the best middle infielders I've ever coached. She has a strong arm to go with great range and solid instincts. Mckayla will play all over the field and will back up at shortstop. Mickey and DLG have had a competitive pre-season, and both are capable at second base. We have talented, athletic options at both corners as well. Megan started at third base all season last year. She'll split time at third and first. Ari and Anahi will also play third. Carlee will be at first base, mainly. Our depth alone makes us better."

Following this weekend, the Cowgirls head to An Angelo to participate in the Angelo State Tournament before starting RMAC play Feb. 25 at home against Black Hills State.