Cougars Head to Texas for Games

The BYU softball team will travel to Grand Prairie, Texas to compete in a game against the University of Texas-Arlington, Thursday and in the Arlington/ISUZU InterCollegiate Classic, Friday and Saturday. Thursday's game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. The Cougars will compete in pool play on Friday against the University of Texas-San Antonio at 9 a.m., Louisiana Tech at 11:15 a.m., and No. 2 Oklahoma at 3:45 p.m. A double elimination tournament will then be held Saturday.

Last Weekend

In its first week of action, the Cougars won a game against Saint Mary's, 8-5, but lost to Southern Utah, 7-5, and lost two to No. 16 Oregon St., 3-2 and 7-4.

Injury Report

Shortstop Becca Erickson will miss a few games due to a sprained ankle she suffered in practice. She will miss the first few games of the road trip but may be ready by Saturday. BYU will do some shifting in its lineup, moving 2B Jackie Ellis to shortstop while Kari Pringle will play 2B.

BYU Probable Starters (This Year's Stats)

•C -Angie Christiansen - R/R, Sr. (.000, 3 AB)

•1B - Mindy Hanson - R/R, Sr. (.273, 3 hits, 2 RBI)

•2B - Kari Pringle - R/R, Jr. (.600, 3 hits, 1 RBI)

•SS - Jackie Ellis - R/R, Sr. (.250, 2 hits, 1 run)

•3B - Liz Boydston - R/R, Jr. (.167, 2 hits, 2 RBI)

•RF - Oli Keohohou - R/R, Fr. (.400, 4 hits, 6 runs, 2 HR, 5 RBI )

•LF - Liz Smith - L/R, Jr. (.615, 8 hits, 6 runs)

•CF - Lindsey Hodgen-Kelly - R/R, Sr. (.273, 3 hits, 3 runs, 1 HR, 2 RBI)

•DH - Brooke Cadiente - R/L, So. (.538, 7 hits, 1 run, 4 RBI)

•P - Meghann Pricer - R/R, Sr. (0-1, 3.86 ERA, 3 SO)

BYU Team Leaders

After four games, leftfielder Liz Smith leads the team in batting average (.615) and hits (8). Designated Hitter Brooke Cadiente and rightfielder Oli Keohohou are tied for the team lead in doubles (2). Keohohou leads the team in homeruns (2), RBI (5) and total bases (12). Smith and Keohohou are tied for the team lead in runs scored (6), while Smith and Kari Pringle each have one stolen base.

Scouting Texas-Arlington

The University of Texas-Arlington will open its season against BYU. UTA finished last season at 22-33 overall, 13-14 in the Southland Conference.

Scouting Texas-San Antonio

The University of Texas-San Antonio split a doubleheader with Texas A&M, Feb. 3. They are led by junior college transfer Angela Graham, who tossed a five-hitter against Texas A&M and Michelle McElyea, who provided the offense with a three-run homerun in the first inning. McElyea led UTSA with 18 homeruns last season.

Scouting Louisiana Tech

The Lady Techsters swept a doubleheader against Centenary, 2-0 and 5-2, to open the season, Feb. 4. In her first collegiate start, Lindsey Meadows pitched two complete games, including a one-hitter in the first game. LTU was led offensively by rightfielder Sara Thibodaux and first baseman Shameika Cofer, who recorded two hits apiece. In the second game, Meadows allowed only two runs on four hits while striking out eight. The Lady Techsters were 21-22 last season.

Scouting Oklahoma

No. 2 Oklahoma is the defending NCAA and Arlington/ISUZU InterCollegiate Classic champions. In the Classic last season, the Sooners went 7-0 en route to winning the title. The Sooners return all eight position starters and half their pitching staff that helped lead them to the 2000 NCAA National Championship. OU returns four All-Americans.

Preseason Mountain West Conference Coaches' Poll

BYU was picked by the coaches in the Mountain West Conference to

finish fifth in the conference in the preseason poll released Jan. 25. In-state rival University of Utah, where BYU head coach Mary Kay Amicone played and was an assistant coach for seven years, was picked to finish first.

Mountain West Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Utah (5) 25

2. New Mexico (1) 20

3. San Diego State 15

4. Colorado State 11

5. BYU 10

6. UNLV 9

Player/Coach Interviews

Practices are held daily at 4:30 p.m. in the Smith Fieldhouse Annex. Player or Coach Amicone interviews may be arranged in advance through Shane Bevell, BYU Athletic Media Relations, at (801) 378-8999. Additional information may be obtained through e-mailing Shane at amr-3@byu.edu or by fax at (801) 378-3520.