COMMERCE— The No. 9 Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team returns to action in the first games of the 2019 season. The Lions will play six games over a four day span as they look to build on their record-breaking 2018 season.
 
Opponents: St. Mary's, No. 20 Arkansas Tech, Washburn, Central Oklahoma, Colorado Mines and No. 25 Augustana
WHERE: Scrap Yard Sports Complex in Conroe, Texas
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 1-Monday, Feb. 4
LIVE STATS: Click HERE
 
The Lions are coming off of a record-setting 42-win season. The Lions set multiple program records on their way to a South Central Regional Championship. Head coach Richie Bruister is looking forward to the team building on their success and continuing even further.
 
"We are glad to be back," Bruister said. "It is certainly exciting to build on the success we had last year. We feel like we left a little bit on the table. That's what our kids are fighting for this year. They are working hard to get back to that same point to have that opportunity again, learn from that and then continue on one more step to get that national championship."
 
The Lions return 13 players from last season's team, 11 of which started games at one point or another. Bruister says the players are focused and ready to put in the same work to get back again.
 
"They are hungry," he said of his returners. "They are hungry to get back to where they were and do better. The goals we have set are very high. That is what they expect of themselves as a team. They know what it looks like. That's what you see in the weight room and the practices and the day-to-day grind that they go through. They know why they are doing it and what it takes to get back to having the success that we did."
 
The Lions also have brought in 13 new recruits to add to the team. Bruister likes what he is seeing from the new players as they push the returners and fight for a chance to enter the starting lineup.
 
"They are working hard," he said of the newcomers. "They are getting better and they are pushing those starters for a job. At this level, you have competition. That's what makes your team better. It is very exciting from a coaching standpoint to see all of those players working hard for one goal. That's to go out there and be the best we can be as Lion Softball and achieve those goals we have."
 
Bruister and his staff was able to see the newcomers and returners in action together in the fall season. While the fall season was cut short due to weather, he liked the initial things he saw from his new team.
 
"We saw a lot of talent on the field," Bruister said. "We have some big holes we have to fill, everybody knows that. But at the same time, the talent is there to do that. We are figuring out our personnel and working together. That is what the fall is for. We are very excited about how we finished the fall. We are looking forward to build upon that and putting everything out there starting Friday."
 
Another newcomer to the dugout for the Lions is new pitching and catching coach Gay McNutt. Bruister was ecstatic to add a coach of the caliber as McNutt and has already seen her impact on the team.
 
"It's a tremendous hire with coach McNutt and all the experience she has," he said. "She is just so passionate for the game. She just loves it. She brings a wealth of knowledge. She's a former All-American player who has won national championships. She's got several conference Coach of the Year awards, regional appearances and on and on. To be able to add a hall of famer like her to our staff is just tremendous. You can't put a monetary value to what she brings. We have already seen our pitchers and catchers getting better in just the short time that she has been here. It is very exciting to have her as part of my staff with everything she brings as a person and as a competitor. She is just wonderful."
 
The Lions now will take the field on Friday as they look to start the season on the right foot. Bruister is excited to see all of the hard work of the offseason pay off.
 
"It is a tough schedule," he said of the early tournament. "It is arguably the toughest tournament in the country in Division II. The best of the best are there. The average win total of our opponents from last year is about 40 wins. There are going to be several nationally ranked teams there. It is very exciting. We are going to get out there, see what we've got and make adjustments as we need to. We are going to play hard and get after it and hopefully by Monday when we finish up, the strong will survive. Hopefully we will be on top when we are done."