VIDEO: Season Preview

As Louisiana Tech head coach Mark Montgomery enters his third season in Ruston, he does so with more depth and overall talent on the roster than he has had during his first two years in the Lady Techster dugout.

And with that comes more optimism heading into the spring.

The Lady Techsters showed signs of their potential this year with a strong showing during the fall "exhibition" season. LA Tech posted a 7-1 record and outscored their opponents 75-27 in those games.

"I think we saw a couple of things that excite us as a staff," Montgomery said. "First was the defense. We were so much stronger in so many areas. We turned would-be hits into outs, and outs that we turned into double plays. We showed so much improvement and so much more depth. Another thing that excited us is so many players from last year came back in better shape and motivated to do much better this year. We are really starting to see out team culture take shape and that is so exciting."

Louisiana Tech returns 11 players from last year's team that posted a 19-33 overall record, and a 7-16 mark in Conference USA play. Montgomery also welcomes eight newcomers, including seven true freshmen and one junior college transfer.

During the fall season which saw Tech record lopsided wins over both Northwestern State and UL-Monroe, Montgomery got production from his returners - something that is to be expected. However, even more promising is that every one of his newcomers showed flashes of big-time potential.

"This team really has so many people that are capable of contributing in so many ways," Montgomery said. "You will probably see many different line-ups throughout the season. As long as everyone remembers to put the team first, and not concentrate on individual stats or playing time, but rather focus on performing whatever role is asked of them, it's really anyone's guess as to how good and how far this team can go."

Louisiana Tech fans will get plenty of opportunities to see the team this spring as LA Tech's schedule includes 32 home games. To access the entire roster and the 2014 schedule, fans can log onto LATechSports.com.

Pitchers

One of Louisiana Tech's issues last season when the Lady Techsters recorded a 19-33 overall record was the fact that the roster lacked depth in the circle. However, Montgomery and Co. should not have the same obstacle this year as the LA Tech roster boasts two experienced hurlers in senior Bianca Duran and sophomore Pauline Tufi as well as two newcomers in freshmen Bailey Allen and Carolina Sanchez.

"Depth is what will help us the most," Montgomery said. "Last year we ended with really just two pitching options. This year we have four. Bianca will be the main starter and as a senior provide real stability. She worked so hard to get to where she is. I feel as though she will lead us to some big wins this year. Pauline will be a closer for us and probably be in the last couple of innings of most every game. She gave up no earned runs this fall and was dominant. In addition, we have two freshmen that are packed with potential. Both Bailey Allen and Carolina Sanchez showed signs of greatness so were excited about their potential growth throughout the season."

Duran made 34 starts last season, posting a 6-19 record with a 3.70 earned run average. She logged 170.1 innings of action, allowing 198 hits and 44 walks while striking out 70.

"I am so proud of Bianca," Montgomery said. "She has worked very hard to become the player she has become. She is tenacious, sometimes a bit stubborn, but don't ever tell her she can't do something unless you want to be proven wrong. She will be our leader in the circle and we will go as far as she is capable of taking us."

Duran will also see time at first base and DP during the season. Offensively, Duran batted .230 with nine doubles, two home runs and 20 RBI last season as she made the transition from the junior college level.

Tufi, who like Duran will see time at first base, returns for her sophomore campaign after sporting a 13-11 mark with a 3.43 earned run average during her rookie season. Tufi worked 140.2 innings in the circle, allowing 134 hits and 56 walks while striking out 113.

"Pauline is one of the strongest players I have ever seen," Montgomery said. "However that compliment does not begin to do her justice. She is multi- talented, dedicated, works hard and gives her all to the game each and every day. She is also our emotional leader on this team. She inspires all who know her to be their best." Montgomery expects Tufi to bat in the third spot in the Tech order. As a freshman, Tufi batted .281 with 10 doubles, four home runs and a LA Tech freshman record 34 RBI.

Allen signed with LA Tech after a stellar prep career at Pineville High School where she helped lead the Rebels to the semifinals of the LHSAA Fastpitch 56 5A state tournament as a senior. She earned MVP honors on the all-CENLA team and was the four-time District 2-5A pitcher of the year.

"Bailey is so talented and she had a great fall," Montgomery said. "She is working hard on being more consistent. Once she realizes her potential, Bailey could become a dominant pitcher."

During the fall season, Allen recorded a 1-0 mark with a 1.75 earned run average, working 16.0 innings of action. She allowed only 11 hits and two walks while striking out 16 batters as opponents batted only .196 against her.

Sanchez also enters her rookie campaign in college after lettering the past four years at Evangel Christian Academy. As a senior she registered a 20-10 record with a 1.68 earned run average, recording 176 strikeouts. She led ECA to back-to-back state championship game appearances as a freshman and sophomore, including the 2011 Class 2A state title.

"Carolina struggled a bit this fall while adapting to pitching at the DI level," Montgomery said. "However she worked hard over break, welcomed the challenge that was ahead of her and has done a 180 degree turn. She is throwing better than I have ever seen. As long as she embraces her game plan, she will have a wonderful freshman campaign."

During the fall season, Sanchez was 0-1 with a 3.94 earned run average. In 16.0 innings of action in the circle, she allowed 20 hits and four walks while striking out 12. However, she allowed opponents to bat .299 against her.

Catchers

Another area that LA Tech boasts some depth is behind the plate; the Lady Techster roster includes four players who can wear the tools of ignorance, including Krysta Tutsch, Natalie Moran, Amanda Gray and Kassie Harris.

Tutsch is a junior college transfer from Kirkwood Community College and is the odds on favorite to see the majority of playing time behind the plate this season. The Davenport, Iowa native was a three-time all-state, all-conference and all-district honoree during her time at Assumption High School.

"Krysta will help us in our catching efforts this year," Montgomery said. "Her arm strength and quickness will shut down opposing teams efforts to take extra bases. However it is her raw power that is the most jaw dropping. She will hit for power this season, including many towering home runs."

During the fall, Tutsch batted .268 with a team-high three home runs in only 19 plate appearances. She added a double, two sacrifice flies and eight RBI. Tutsch also threw out three of seven players attempting to steal.

Moran will provide experienced depth behind the plate. The sophomore made 22 starts at catcher as a true freshman, earning invaluable playing time.

"Natalie gained so much playing time last year as a freshman," Montgomery said. "That experience has helped her grow as a player. She is more vocal, confident and is doing some great things. She is also a great leader off the field for us maintaining a near 4.0 GPA and serving as one of our SAAC leaders."

Despite recording only four official plate appearances as a freshman, Moran showed great improvement at the plate this fall. She was 3-for-5 with a triple and two RBI.

Gray, who also received reps this fall at first base, returns to action this year after red-shirting as a true freshman due to a shoulder injury.

"Coming off shoulder surgery that redshirted her last year, no one has worked harder than Amanda to help this team," Montgomery said. "Although her primary role will be that of a bullpen catcher, Amanda will make appearances as a defensive first baseman and a right handed pinch hitter."

Gray was 1-of-5 at the plate during the fall but showed a good eye for the strike zone, drawing four walks and recording an on-base percentage of .556.

Harris (see outfield) is a true freshman utility that will only see time at catcher in emergency situations as most of her playing time will come in right field and possibly in the infield.

Infield

If fall results are any indication, Louisiana Tech might boasts its best defensive infield in years as the influx of four newcomers combined with the return of four experienced veterans could lead to some solid play.

Montgomery has the luxury of veteran returners at the two corner positions and two impressive freshmen up the middle along with some big-time depth across the board.

First base will be manned by the one-two punch of Pauline Tufi (see pitchers) and Bianca Duran (see pitchers) as the two pitcher/utility players held the same role last season. Red-shirt freshman Amanda Gray (see catchers) could also see some playing time.

Freshman Karlee Jensen and junior Courtney Lowe will handle the second baseball responsibilities for the Lady Techsters.

Jensen signed with Tech after a stellar four year prep career at Taylorsville High School in Utah where she batted .535 with 14 doubles, 5 home runs, 50 RBI and 37 runs as a senior. Jensen was a four-time all-region and four-time all-state honoree, while also helping lead the Warriors to a first place finish in regionals three times.

"Karlee is such a fierce competitor and is inspiring to all that watch her play," Montgomery said. "She goes hard and yet is so smooth in her defensive abilities. As her offensive skills keeps growing it is scary to think how good she can become."

During the fall, Jensen led Tech with a .542 batting average, totaling 13 hits in 24 at bats. She struck out only once while recording only one error at second base.

Lowe brings two years of experience on the college level to second base. Last season she started 51 games for the Lady Techsters, recording a .191 batting average with three doubles and eight RBI. The Junction City, Arkansas native missed the entire fall season while recovering from surgery in the off-season.

"Courtney is also coming off a shoulder surgery," Montgomery said. "She has worked hard to be back, and she is playing with more confidence than ever. As her arm continues to gain strength, I look for Courtney to challenge for the starting second base spot once again."

Anna Cross, Taylor Brintzenhoff and Kassie Harris are the candidates for the hot corner. Cross will see the majority of the time at third base after moving over from her shortstop position which she played her first two years. Cross brings an SEC caliber physical ability to the diamond and will once again hit at the top of the Tech lineup.

"Anna is a truly rare athlete," Montgomery said. "She has size, strength, speed and power. She can also play the game with a high degree of finesse. Her versatility is one of the things that have allowed us to become the best team we can be. Anna is a beast in the leadoff spot and can wreak havoc on the bases."

Cross, the former WAC Freshman of the Year, got off to a slow start during her sophomore campaign but caught fire at the midway point of the season. She ended the year batting .284 with 12 doubles, five home runs, 30 RBI, 18 runs and 10-of-12 stolen bases.

Brintzenhoff is a true freshman who prepped at Brandywine Heights High School in Pennsylvania. She led the Bullets to a pair of district titles as well as the 2013 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class 2A state title while also earning the Class 2A Player of the Year honor in the state in 2014.

"Taylor has really started to blossom here of late," Montgomery said. "She has always had the size, skill, and athleticism, but her ability is starting to translate to the college game. Her growth as a player has us excited to see how productive she will become the next four years."

Brintzenhoff struggled at the plate during limited opportunities in the fall, collecting only one hit in 11 plate appearances. However, this winter has shown marked improvement across the board.

Shortstop will be manned by a true freshman this season. Katie Smith was so impressive during the fall and winter, Montgomery felt comfortable moving Cross to third base, allowing him to put his most potent offensive and defensive lineup on the field. Smith signed with Tech out of Airline High School in Shreveport, batting .443 with 13 doubles and 24 RBI as a senior. The 4-time all-district selection was named the Shreveport Times All-City Player of the Year as a senior.

"What can you say about Katie's defensive play," Montgomery said. "She really makes our infield come together. She is working on her hitting to be able to have more power at the plate, but it is her defensive skill set that will amaze most fans."

Smith batted .360 during the fall, collecting nine hits in 25 at bats. Her eye at the plate was impressive for a freshman, drawing four walks without striking out a single time.

Outfield

Louisiana Tech will have no shortage of options in the outfield this season as seven different Lady Techsters could see playing time.

Tech returns two full-time starters from last year in Janine Godwin and Kristen Miles while Tori Charters also made plenty of starts. In all, Montgomery has five returners and two newcomers on its roster that play outfield.

Miles is a two-year starter in left field for the Lady Techsters. Last season she started 44 games - missing eight due to injury - and led the team with a .331 batting average, recording 43 hits in 130 at bats. The Plano native led the team with 31 runs and was 7-of-9 in stolen base attempts while batting in the two hole.

"Kristen had an amazing sophomore campaign," Montgomery said. "However coming back after a surgery is never easy. After three surgeries many players would give up. Kristen though is working feverishly to get back on the field. She will be fully released by the time the season starts, and I can't imagine her not being back out there by the time the season ends."

Miles missed the entire fall due to injury, but with her vast experience gained during her freshman and sophomore campaigns, she shouldn't have much trouble getting back into shape and should be a significant contributor down the stretch.

Godwin was the most improved player on the team last season. After seeing limited playing time during her first two years - mostly as a defensive replacement late in games - the Princeton, Texas native blossomed at the plate as a junior.

"I am so proud of J-9," Montgomery said. "When I first got here I would not have given her much of a chance at starting. However her efforts and work ethic have continued to propel her to now becoming the starting centerfielder. She is one of our captains and a SAAC leader. I couldn't imagine a more perfect example to show young players as to how to go about your business."

Last season Godwin batted .265 with eight doubles, one triple and her first collegiate home run in a loss to Top 25 Baylor. She also cut down on her strikeouts drastically, ending the year with 14 Ks and 14 walks. She also led Tech's outfield with five assists.

As a true freshman, Charters received a helping taste of action on the collegiate level, starting 36 games and seeing action in 46. The speedy, left-handed slapper batted .266 with 21 hits in 79 plate appearances.

"Tori is so fast, but she has grown as a player and is now making her speed count," Montgomery said. "She is one of a handful of players that worked very hard in the offseason to improve and that has shown. She is accomplishing more both offensively and defensively and has truly become the consistent player that we were hoping for."

Charters should battle with Miles for playing time in left field after seeing most of her action in right field last year. She will also be slotted in at the No. 2 hole in the LA Tech lineup.

Junior Lindsey Neyland is a bit of a newcomer to the LA Tech outfield, after making the transfer from UCF prior to last season. The former infielder moved to the outfield during the season, seeing action in 42 games while making four starts.

"Lindsey's abilities are off the chart," Montgomery said. "Strong arm, amazing speed, and strength are just some of the tools she brings to the field. She has transitions from the infield to the outfield this year. As she continues to learn the nuances of the position look for her to really battle for a starting position."

Neyland saw limited plate appearances last season. However, she was Montgomery's most dependable pinch runner and was usually saved for late game situations, scoring 13 runs on the year.

Junior Katelynn Cook will provide veteran leadership and depth at centerfield for LA Tech after seeing action in 19 games last year, while making five starts. It's Cook's attitude and effort that most impresses Montgomery on a daily basis.

"Nobody out efforts Cook," Montgomery said. "She is constantly working on improving her game and she practices hard, even the smallest of details. Her game continues to get better and better, and her power is really starting to show in practice. She will make a great option for us in the outfield this year to add power to the line-up."

As a sophomore, Cook made 16 plate appearances collecting two hits. However, this fall, Cook displayed some power, collecting a pair of doubles and three total hits in 11 at bats. She also drew four walks and recorded an on-base percentage of .467.

Freshman Kassie Harris has the opportunity to make an immediate impact during her rookie season. Harris signed with the Lady Techsters after a stellar prep career at North Caddo Magnet and is a true utility player, seeing action in the infield, outfield and at catcher this fall. The two-time all-state honoree was named the district MVP as a senior after batting .590 with 22 RBI and 18 stolen bases.

"Kassie's bat is awesome," said Montgomery. "She is a true utility player and can play all but a couple of positions on the field. Look for her bat to keep her in the lineup as we work to enhance her defense skills at whatever position she might play."

Harris showed the ability to drive in runs during the fall, batting .360 with a team-high 13 RBI. She recorded nine hits, including five doubles and one home run.

Another freshman could see playing time in the Tech outfield this year as Casey Ingram makes the move from her normal infield position. Ingram played at Pflugerville High School in Texas where she was as three-time all-district selection while leading the Panthers to the area finals twice.

"Casey has transitioned to full time outfield this year," Montgomery said. "She is very fast with a very good arm. Look for Casey to go in as a pinch runner and stay in and play some late game defense for us this season."

Ingram recorded an on-base percentage of .375 during the fall, collecting a hit and two walks in eight plate appearances.