by Jeff Williford

When the UT Tyler softball team begins their 2012 campaign this Saturday at home against Mary Hardin-Baylor, the Patriots will again be among the nation's best teams. After going 40-13 and finishing third in the NCAA Softball Championships in 2011, the Patriots enter this season ranked No. 2 in the NFCA preseason poll.

While there isn't much room for improvement, Coach Mike Reed and his ladies know there is still one goal they have not attained - a NCAA national championship.  

This season, the Patriots will once again be in one of the toughest divisions in any conference in the nation.  Along with the Patriots, ASC East foes Louisiana College, East Texas Baptist and Mississippi College will have their eyes set on the Division and Conference crowns in 2012.  

Since the beginning of the softball program, Coach Reed has been at the helm, going 243-72 in seven seasons.  Even though UT Tyler loses standouts Whitney Wyly, Brittani Hanna and Stacey Shepherd,  the Patriots once again are the preseason favorite to win the East Division with a solid recruiting class looking to make their mark.

UT Tyler will play six games in February, including a conference doubleheader against Texas-Dallas, before heading to Farmer's Branch for the annual ASC First Pitch Tournament on March 2-3. The rest of March features home series against Centenary, LeTourneau, Pacific Lutheran and Mississippi College. In April, the Patriots will host Mississippi College, ETBU, Texas-Dallas and Louisiana College.

Last season, the Patriots hit .339 as a team and blasted 53 home runs as they outscored opponents 351-175. The UT Tyler pitching staff held a 2.78 combined ERA.

UT Tyler was an impressive 21-3 at the UT Tyler Ballpark and won 20 games by five or more runs. 

Players To Watch in 2012:

Joey Cronin (JR., Celina, TX)- Named to the NFCA All-Region team during her sophomore season, after batting .376 with eight home runs  and 41 RBI.  Cronin was named to the All-ASC first team for the second time in her career as well.  As a true freshman, Cronin led the team in batting average (.405), runs (57), doubles (14), triples (4), home runs (13) earning her first team All-American honors.  

Brittney Batten (JR., Huntington, TX)-  Finished third on the team with a .393 batting average in 117 at-bats and second in home runs with 11.  Batten missed the NCAA regional held in Tyler last season after an injury, but looks to return to top form in 2012.  Was named 2011 ASC East Newcomer of the Year as well as All-ASC first team her first season as a Patriot after transferring from Galveston College.

Katelyn Thomason (SR., Spring, TX)- Thomason was a key part to the Patriots' run to the NCAA tournament last season, starting 41 games (18 in the circle).  Batted .336 in 122 at-bats with eight doubles and 22 RBI.  In the circle, Thomason went 13-7 with a 2.88 ERA notching three shutouts and 75 strikeouts.  Was named All-ASC honorable mention.

Ashlee Johnson (SR., Texarkana, TX)- Started all 53 games as a junior in her first season with the Patriots.  Johnson totaled 32 hits, 20 runs, seven doubles, one triple and two home runs.  On defense, Johnson shined in the field making spectacular plays finishing with 103 assists and a .922 fielding percentage.  

Lauren Robenalt (SO., San Antonio, TX)-  As a true freshman in 2011. Robenalt was second on the team in hitting with a .394 batting average and was third in hits (63) and runs scored (39).  Named All-ASC first team and second team West All-Region.