Meda Bow

Softball 1/25/2021 4:00:00 PM

SB Class Preview: Freshmen

ABILENE - As softball season quickly approaches there is a number of things to look forward to, especially the new faces in Coach Farler's first recruiting class with ACU. Farler brought in two JUCO transfers, but the six freshmen bring a new competitive edge to the program that she is trying to build in Abilene. The Wildcats had their first season under a new coaching staff cut short, but you could see the mentality change of the team throughout the season. Excited to get back to work, these freshmen are ready to step up to the challenge.

This freshman class is a really fun and focused class. They came in ready to compete and help elevate our program from day one. It was so clear from the first practice that they were on board and clearly saw the vision of the program. The returners welcomed this group in with open arms and immediately saw the value that they were bringing to the program. It has been fun to watch the bond grow and I couldn't be more excited for this freshman class to get to experience their first college season!

Head Coach, Abigail Farler

#3 Kaylee Philipp

Lettered in softball and volleyball
District MVP in 2018 and 2019
Member of a district championship team (2019)
2020 FCA All-Star

On what she is most looking forward to this season:

“I'm looking forward to building bonds with my teammates when we play together and getting to know everyone better.”

#11 Sydney Kaiser

Honorable mention All-District (2017)
First team All-District (2018 & 2019)
Team Defensive MVP (2018)
Team MVP (2019)
All-Centex Preps All-Star (2019)
Part of a team that made the playoffs in 2019
Academic All-District (2017, 2018, 2019)

On what she is most looking forward to this season:

“I'm looking forward to competing against outside competition and seeing our hard work pay off.”

"Kaylee is a local kid who throws from the left side. She has the ability to diversity our pitching staff. Kaylee is prepared to help the team and embraces the vision for our team to be "all hands on deck" this year. It's unique to see a pitcher who could be used as a baserunner as well which speaks to Kaylee's natural speed."
“Sydney is an incredibly fun and bright kid. She has come to every practice prepared to learn and grow and it shows. She brings so much life and personality to the team. Her teammates love working alongside her because she makes everyone better.”

#13 Avery Miloch

First team All-District (2018 & 2019)
Academic All-District (2017 & 2019)
Made a playoff appearance in each season
Team had a winning record in each season
Member of a district championship team in 2019

On what she is most looking forward to this season:

“I am excited to get back to playing softball and the opportunity to travel with my team.”

#15 Riley White

Totaled 709 strikeouts with a 1.16 ERA
.495 BA, 184 RBI
Named a 2020 Top-50 HS athlete by the Austin American-Statesman
District 27 AA Newcomer of the Year (2017)
District 27AA MVP (2018 & 2019)
VYPE Sports Austin Area First Team (2019)
All-Centex Prep All-Star team (2019)
All-Centex first team (2019)
TexasSports Writers Association first team All-State (2019)
Texas Girls Coaches Association first team All-State (2019)
Texas Girls Coaches Association 1-4A All-Star team (2017, 2018, 2019)
Academic All-District (2017, 2018, 2019)
Regional Quarterfinalist (2017 & 2018)
State Runners-up (2019)

On what she is most looking forward to this season:

“I am looking forward to competing with my team and facing players I know in our conference.”

“Avery is a kid who has so much raw talent and a very high ceiling. We are excited about her versatility on the field and her power at the plate. She has worked hard to grow and learn in the off season, so it will be fun to see what she brings to the field this Spring.”
“Riley has the ability to help us in the circle and at the plate this year. We will be counting on her to carry a lot of innings as we head into season and are excited to see her compete against our opponents. Riley has worked hard to develop all of her pitches throughout the Fall and Winter to finetune her skillset. She came in from day 1 ready to compete at the college level, we are excited to see her embrace the challenge of her freshman year.”

#25 Miranda "Randi" Davila

Lettered in volleyball and softball
First team All-District DP (2017)
Honorable mention All-State DP (2017)
First team All-District second baseman (2019)
Honorable mention All-State second baseman (2019)
Member of 2017 & 2018 Area finalist teams
Member of 2019 Regional semi-finalst team
Academic All-State (2018)

On what she is most looking forward to this season:

“I'm looking forward to seeing our team compete and better ourselves in this season of adversity.”

#29 Paige Harris

3x All-District infielder
Newcomer of the year (2017)
Team captain
.667 batting average
Member of District 11 6A champions
3x regional qualifiers

On what she is most looking forward to this season:

“I'm looking forward to taking the next step to compete against college-level competition.”

“I am so excited to see where Randi lands on the field this year. She is extremely versatile and has put herself in a position where she can be used in a lot of different roles because of her skillset and mentality. Randi came to us ready to grow and hit the ground running. Her competitiveness brings out the best in herself and those around her.”
“Paige is an extremely hard worker who has incredible focus. She comes to the field every day ready to have fun doing something she loves while competing. She is incredibly coachable and wants critical feedback which has been contagious for her teammates around her. The energy that Paige brings to the field every day makes you excited to see what she will bring to games.”

There is an energy that these athletes bring to practice every day that helps them to grow while also pushing their teammates in the same fashion. After last spring left many athletes without a completion to their season, each and every athlete plans to go out and compete as if they may not get to the next day. The Wildcats coaching staff is excited to put together an entertaining and fast-paced team for the fans.

The Abilene community will have their first chance to watch these athletes on Feb. 11 when the Wildcats open their season hosting UTEP in the opener of their weekend-long tournament. The game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Poly Wells field.