S O F T B A L L 2 0 1 4
T E C H S T E R L A D Y
provide depth at the catcher position, but to push for playing time.” Gray will redshirt this season while recovering from an arm injury. She chose the Lady Techsters after lettering four years at Lovejoy High School in Texas where she batted .460 with nine home runs and 62 RBI as a senior. She was a three-time all-district selection and was named to the Texas Girls Coaches Association Class 3A all-state team in 2012 and the Texas Sports Writers Association all-state team in 2013. “Redshirting this season due to an arm injury, Amanda has been invaluable in helping get the team prepared,” Montgomery said. “She will continue to learn the requirements for being a catcher at the Division I level, and she will be ready to step into that role next season.”
graduated three senior starters off of last year’s team. With the graduation of four-year starter Meghan Knowles, first base will be open as senior Erin Kipp will share time with Bianca Duran and Pauline Tufi. Kipp, who signed with Tech as a pitcher, has made the transition from the circle due to arm issues which prevented her from playing in the field or pitching the majority of last season. While serving as the Lady Techsters designated player during her junior year, she was named second team all-WAC, second team all-state and second team all-Central Region by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. She batted .349 with 14 doubles, four home runs, 28 runs scored and 22 RBI. “Erin struggled with an arm injury that eliminated her from anymore pitching last season,” Montgomery said. “So she just decided to become an all-conference performer as a designated player as well as an Academic All-American. This year I expect to see that same great performance as both a DP and at first base.” When she is not in the circle, Duran will also see time at first base for the Lady Techsters as Montgomery knows he must keep the juniors bat in the lineup. During her two year career at Western Nebraska Community College, she set program single season records for batting average (.545), home runs (23), doubles (29) and hits (110). She is also the program career home run leader with 40. “Bianca surprised us with her defensive skills this fall,” Montgomery said. “Her hitting is exceptional so she will be on the field somewhere even when she isn’t in the circle.” Tufi could also see time at first base. Like Duran, Tufi possesses the offensive skill set that Montgomery must keep in the heart of the order for Louisiana Tech to be successful. The Anchorage, Alaska native was the three-time Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Alaska as well as a four-time all-region and all-state selection. As a senior, she registered almost unbelievable offensive numbers, batting .842 with six home runs, 36 RBI and a 1.474 slugging percentage. “Pauline – our “Big Alaskan” – is such an amazing athlete
Infield
30
Louisiana Tech’s infield will have plenty of depth as nine different players could see time at any of the four positions this season as the Lady Techsters
LATechSports.com
#WeAreLATech