STEPHENVILLE - After returning to the postseason for the 11th time in school history, the 2013 version of the Tarleton TexAnn softball team has more on their mind than just a berth - they're thinking championship.

"My expectation is that we don't forget who we are this year," said head coach Julie Mata. "Last year, somewhere along the lines we forgot that we're the little guy. We have a sign in our dugout that says, 'mercenaries will beat the draftees, but volunteers will crush them both,' and if we can have that volunteer mindset then I think this team is capable of great things.

"If we represent Tarleton in a classy and the right kind of way, then we'll be successful," she continued. "We have that mentality and if we can keep that mentality throughout the season, we'll contend for championships - and not just one."

Tarleton is coming off a 31-20 season in which they led the nation in home runs on the strength of three key power hitters - Samantha Swanda, Arianna Rodriguez and All-American honoree, Katie Welborn.

"If you don't have a strong core of individuals, then you won't have a strong program," said Mata. "We suffered through a few years that aren't up to Tarleton standards, but this last year's group was such a strong group of individuals and helped get us back to where our program is used to being.

"This year's group is going to reap the benefits of that and keep our program moving in the right direction because they are a strong group of girls," she added.

Tarleton enters the season picked to finish seventh in the Lone Star Conference preseason polls, a place all too familiar to the TexAnns who found themselves in a similar position last season.

"Those polls aren't meant for anything except bulletin board material, no matter where you are in the top 10," said Mata. "Last year's group, just like this year's, was picked seventh in the conference. That team knew something about themselves that nobody else knew. They put in the extra time to make themselves better. They're putting in the extra work to make themselves better and they remind me a lot of our 2003-04 teams."

Despite losing a slew of key seniors, including Swanda, Welborn and several other starters including Alex Orf, Amber Sotelo, Abigail Tammen and Marcie Rodriguez, Tarleton welcomes back a key core of individuals starting at shortstop.

Rodriguez is back for her senior season as the shortstop of the TexAnns and begins the season as the school's all-time home run leader with 33 in her career after posting an 18-homer season as a junior.

"Arianna is putting that home run record hard to reach," said Mata. "As a hitter and a ballplayer, you could tell as a freshman she was going to be something special. I remember telling one of our assistant coaches that she is going to be a Hall of Famer for us."

The Middle of the Diamond

Rodriguez at shortstop helps solidify the TexAnns across the middle of the diamond - in addition to the firm positions at second base, centerfield and catcher.

Returning for her third season with the TexAnns, Kelsey Latta will retake her position at second base - where she earned second-team all-conference honors as a freshman before moving to the outfield last season. The double-play connection of Rodriguez and Latta are two of the most experienced players on the TexAnn roster.

A pair of newcomers have locked in positions in centerfield and behind the plate.

Sophomore transfer Ashley Noak will don the catcher's gear while freshman Melody Mayse has a stronghold on replacing Tammen in the Tarleton centerfield. Bailee Mauldin and Lauren Grisham are the capable reserves pushing for playing time in each of those spots.

"It sure is nice to have good communicators up the middle. Ashley (Noak) and Bailee (Mauldin) are both doing a great job behind the plate, but Ashley probably has the nod right now," said Mata. "She brings that 'field general' mentality to the field, she has a great arm and does a good job of calling defense.

"When you have that behind the plate and two middle infielders who have played three years together, it brings good communication and chemistry to the middle of the diamond," she added.

Corner Infield

The corner infield spots of third and first base have the biggest holes to fill after losing Welborn and Swanda from a year ago.

"The corner infield spots are probably the biggest question marks right now," said Mata. "We've got so many good hitters that bring the potential of consistent bats, it's going to depend on who's hot at the plate and defensively."

It is up to a slew of returning players to fill the void at third.

McKaylee Pittman saw significant time at the hot corner last season - when Swanda was in the circle - while Shelby Tinklepaugh is also pushing for time in the lineup.

At first base, Hannah Hancock and Courtney Vroman have been making strong cases for playing time while redshirt sophomore Amber Clifford seems to have the edge entering the final week of offseason.

"As far as first base goes, we have Amber, Hannah and Courtney vying for playing time over there," said Mata. "It's going to depend on who's hot at the plate and who has the defensive chemistry."

Corner Outfield

Mata said the corner outfield spots were the primary areas of concern in the offseason after losing both of the starting players in those two spots from last season - Marcie Rodriguez to graduation and Latta to a position change.

There are several players battling for time, but newcomer Rachel Brownlow and junior Eryn Freitas seem to be the frontrunners entering the first game of the season.

"Rachel Brownlow will be a great addition to our team. She gets great reads on fly balls and has great speed," said Mata. "The right field spot is a battle right now between Eryn Freitas, Lauren Grisham and Tanner Pipkin. Eryn is a good defensive player and we're hoping her bat can come around, but Tanner brings a big, powerful bat to the lineup."

Pitching Staff

For the last two seasons, Randi Fentress has been waiting for her turn to lead the TexAnn pitching staff.

In 2013, she'll get that chance.

The junior fireballer from North Richland Hills enters the season as the ace of the Tarleton pitching staff after winning 14 games and recording 119 strikeouts in 129 innings last season.

"I think Randi is ready to take on the bulk of the duties," said Mata. "Randi's style, endurance level and mentality lend to her becoming an even better pitcher when she's pitching more than every other game. Randi also brings a really good bat to our lineup and I really believe we're going to see a whole new dimension of Randi Fentress."

Filling out the pitching staff will be sophomore transfer Brenna Hennan and freshman lefty Katelyn Conlee.

Hennan transferred from Midwestern State where she won seven games as a true freshman last season in 124.2 innings pitched while Conlee joins the TexAnns as a hometown product from Stephenville High School.

The TexAnns are set to open action this weekend at the St. Mary's Tournament against East Central. Their first home game is on tap for Feb. 9, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. against Texas-Permian Basin.