Austin Regional: Preview

McCombs Field 

Teams: Texas, Houston, Louisiana-Lafayette, Texas State
Location: McCombs Field (Austin, TX)

Players to watch:
Blaire Luna, Texas
Amanda Crabtree, Houston
Ashley Brignac, Louisiana-Lafayette
Christi Orgeron, Louisiana-Lafayette
Chandler Hall, Texas State

Interesting storyline: Donna Bourgeois gets matched up in regionals against her former team in the first round. Bourgeois left Louisiana-Lafayette right before her senior season and transferred to Houston and she has helped lead them back to regionals. It will be interesting to see if she gets to pitch against her former team.

Texas State is the fourth seed at this regional, but they should not be taken lightly. Two years ago in Waco during regionals, Texas State stunned seeded Northwestern by not only beating them, but beating them in run rule fashion. This Texas State team doesn't seem quite as strong, but if they come out ready to play against Texas, they could beat the Longhorns. In the circle, Texas State is led by Chandler Hall and Anne Marie Taylor. Hall and Taylor are two solid pitchers and the Bobcats will need them to keep the ball in the ballpark against these powerful offenses. On offense, Texas State hits just .268 as a team with 17 HR so they will need to fight and scrap for every run against all of the great pitching at this regional.

Ashley Brignac

Louisiana-Lafayette got a very tough, but winnable draw this year. The Ragin Cajuns did lose Donna Bourgeois to Houston before the season started, but that loss was softened with the return of Ashley Brignac. Brignac was the most highly touted recruit in school history and pitched Louisiana-Lafayette to the WCWS her freshmen year, before dealing with multiple injuries over the past two years. Brignac is finally back and she gives Louisiana-Lafayette a battle tested postseason ace who knows how to win. The Ragin Cajun also have two of the top hitters in the nation in Christi Orgeron and Gabrielle Bridges. Orgeron is hitting .418 with 82 hits, 23 HR, and a staggering 97 RBI, while Bridges is hitting .380 with 57 hits, 22 HR, and 76 RBI. Opponents have had difficulties pitching around these hitters because there are always runners on in front of them. The Ragin Cajuns have four talented slappers all hitting over .300 and when they reach base, opponents get in some serious trouble. This regional is very winnable for Louisiana-Lafayette and they know how to win in the postseason.

Houston also comes into this regional with a lot of confidence that they can win it. The Cougars did lose to Texas earlier this year, but with Houston's pitching staff they are a threat to win this regional. Amanda Crabtree is one of the most prolific strikeout pitchers in the country and she is joined by Louisiana-Lafayette transfer Donna Bourgeois and they combine to form a dynamic duo. Houston's freshman Diedre Outen has also seen work in the circle lately. At the plate, the Cougars rely on three power hitters for their offense that hits .281 with 63 HR. Melissa Gregson, Brooke Lathan, and Jennifer Klinkert are all tuned in at the plate and if they can get to the plate with runners on base Houston's offense will be in business. The Cougars have a chance to win this regional, but they must get through some tough teams first.

Blaire Luna

Texas hosts a regional for the second straight year and they are going to look to advance to Supers for the first time without Cat Osterman. This is the best Texas team in a while and they can do it all. In the circle, the Longhorns have Blaire Luna and Rachel Fox, both of whom are capable of beating anyone. Luna ball moves very well, while Fox throws with a bit more speed. Luna should see most of the work for the Longhorns, but Coach Connie Clark should not be afraid of turning to Fox. On offense, Texas does it all, hitting .331 with 68 HR and 110 steals. Taylor Hoagland is the catalyst for Texas' offense and she can do it all at the plate. Some other Longhorns to watch are Taylor Thom, Brejae Washington, and Amy Hooks. All in all Texas has eight players hitting over .300. The Longhorns have the talent to win, but they may not have the toughness to win.

Winner: Louisiana-Lafayette