Softball 1/24/2022 12:42:00 PM

Bronchos Aiming High In 2022

Central Oklahoma has ranked among the best NCAA Division II teams in the country for nearly two decades and that trend should continue in 2022 as a veteran team looks to make a deep postseason run.

The Bronchos captured their third Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association title in five years last season while advancing to the national tournament for the 13th time since 2002 in finishing 36-14.

And UCO could be even better this spring behind seven returning position starters and three pitchers. Mix in five talented freshman all capable of making an impact and it's easy to see why the Bronchos are excited about 2022.

"We're looking forward to the season and seeing what this team can accomplish," said head coach Cody White, whose team opens the season Feb. 3-5 at the Arkansas Tech Invitational in Conroe, Texas. "We have experienced players at pretty much every position and this group worked really hard in the fall getting ready.

"There are a few areas we have to address, particularly with the pitching staff, but I like this team and the attitude they bring to the field every day."

Leading the way are a trio of seniors -- outfielder Lexy Dobson, shortstop Brighton Gilbert and second baseman Tarin Dubler.

Dobson will be starting for a rare fifth straight year thanks to the CoVID-shortened 2020 season that gave players an extra year of eligibility. Gilbert is back for her fourth tour of duty at shortstop and teams with returning starter Dubler to give UCO the best middle infield in the league.

Other position starters back are sophomore outfielder Jacee Minter, junior third baseman Shayla Harper, junior catcher Amelya Huggins and sophomore infielder/designated player Taylor McKittrick. Junior utility Mikayla Rutland and sophomore outfielder Shayleigh Odom both saw extended action last season.

All four pitchers are back in senior Corrina Rivas, junior Bailey McKittrick and sophomores Kylee Lynch and Isie Cox, though Rivas will most likely miss the season after suffering a knee injury during fall drills.

The five freshmen round out the roster, with Terin Ritz expected to make the biggest impact among those newcomers.

"We have to be focused and ready to play every time we take the field because people will be gunning for us," said White, who is 301-124 entering his ninth season at the helm. "We're not going to sneak up on anybody that's for sure, but this team is capable of doing big things. Now we have to go out and do it."

Here's a position-by-position look at the Bronchos:

Catcher

Junior Amelya Huggins started behind the plate most of last season and is favored to retain the position, but freshman Layne Smith can't be discounted.

Huggins was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection last year after hitting .309 with seven doubles and 19 runs batted in and is capable of doing even more offensively. Smith showed in the fall that she can handle the position and will undoubtedly see playing time.

First Base

The Bronchos have multiple options here and it may take awhile to sort out. Junior Mikayla Rutland probably rates a slight edge heading into the season, but sophomore Taylor McKittrick and redshirt freshman Mattie Lee are also capable.

Rutland started at multiple positions last year and showed a tough mentality during fall drills, while McKittrick was an honorable mention All-MIAA pick as a utility player in 2021 after batting .317 with 10 doubles.

Second Base

UCO is in great shape here with senior Tarin Dubler, who excels both in the field and at the plate. A key team leader, Dubler hit .299 with seven doubles, three home runs and 22 RBI last season in earning second-team All-MIAA honors.

Freshman Peyton Norvelle provides good depth and junior Mikayla Rutland can help if needed.

Shortstop

Senior Brighton Gilbert is one of the best infield defenders in school history and returns for her fourth year of starting duty at this vital position.

Gilbert has started every game (131) of her career and was an honorable mention All-MIAA pick last year after batting .288 with eight doubles and 17 RBI.

Freshman Peyton Norvelle is the back-up.

Third Base

Junior Shayla Harper took over the starting role here early last season and went on to hit .311 with a league-high 15 homers and 36 RBI in nabbing honorable mention All-MIAA accolades.

Harper also displays great range in the field and will once again be one of the top power-hitters in the conference.

Freshman Korbyn Skipworth is highly capable and gives UCO superb depth.

Outfield

The Bronchos feature two of the best outfielders in the league in senior Lexy Dobson and sophomore Jacee Minter.

Dobson was the co-Defensive Player of the Year in her center field spot last season and has a .333 career average in 185 games at UCO. Minter quickly became one of the league's top offensive forces and was a second-team All-MIAA selection in left field after hitting .316 with 12 homers, 10 doubles and 37 RBI.

Right field is up for grabs, with sophomore returner Shayleigh Odom and freshman Korbyn Skipworth battling for the starting spot. Rookie Brooke Niver provides great depth at all three positions.

Pitcher

Central was dealt a big blow when senior standout Corrina Rivas suffered a probable season-ending knee injury in the fall, but three other pitchers return from last year and a freshman can be a force in the circle.

Sophomore Kylee Lynch is set to pace the staff and will throw major innings this spring. She went 19-6 with a 2.87 earned run average and just 30 walks last year to claim honorable mention All-MIAA honors.

Sophomore Isie Cox is projected to see more action after appearing in 10 games a year ago and the Bronchos are hopeful injury-plagued junior Bailey McKittrick will pitch meaningful innings.

Freshman Terin Ritz has the potential to assume a major role as both a starter and reliever.

Designated Player

This will probably be a position that will see several players utilized. Freshman Terin Ritz provides a big upside with her power, while junior Amelya Huggins could contend for time when not catching. Sophomore Taylor McKittrick and redshirt freshman Mattie Lee will be in the mix depending on how other positions pan out.

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Players Mentioned

#8 Lexy Dobson: OF; 5' 6"; Junior; R/R

#5 Brighton Gilbert: IF; 5' 5"; Junior; L/R

#27 Bailey McKittrick: P; 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R

#4 Tarin Dubler: IF; 5' 7"; Junior; R/R

#13 Corrina Rivas: P; 5' 7"; Junior; R/R

#22 Kylee Lynch: P; 5' 8"; Freshman; L/R

#25 Amelya Huggins: IF/C; 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R

#14 Isie Cox: P/UT; 5' 8"; Sophomore; L/L

#11 Shayla Harper: IF; 5' 7"; Junior; R/R

#7 Mattie Lee: IF; 5' 7"; Redshirt Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#8 Lexy Dobson
: 5' 6"; Junior; R/R
: OF

#5 Brighton Gilbert
: 5' 5"; Junior; L/R
: IF

#27 Bailey McKittrick
: 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R
: P

#4 Tarin Dubler
: 5' 7"; Junior; R/R
: IF

#13 Corrina Rivas
: 5' 7"; Junior; R/R
: P

#22 Kylee Lynch
: 5' 8"; Freshman; L/R
: P

#25 Amelya Huggins
: 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R
: IF/C

#14 Isie Cox
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; L/L
: P/UT

#11 Shayla Harper
: 5' 7"; Junior; R/R
: IF

#7 Mattie Lee
: 5' 7"; Redshirt Freshman; R/R
: IF