Santiago Archieri/ Staff Writer
Stephanie Texiera was named to the 2016 Conference USA Softball Preseason Team last week. With the team preparing to go into the season with some momentum, this could be just another kickstarter and an extra boost as the season is around the corner.
Texeira, the junior first baseman, was chosen by a pool of league coaches in C-USA. The coaches also have Florida International University ranked sixth out of twelve teams in the C-USA preseason standings. Two of the top 5 teams ranked are in FIU’s division, with Florida Atlantic University in first place, and Marshall University in second.
After a record breaking season, Texeira looks to add more to her resume this upcoming season. Last year, she shattered the school record after averaging a .444 batting average, and finished with the second highest RBI in school history with 51. Her on-base percentage was the highest in C-USA with .833, while ranking third in RBI. She also reached the FIU softball record books by getting on base in 33 straight games.
The hardware and spotlight is no stranger to Texiera, who is entering her third season with the Panthers. Texeira has earned preseason recognition in the past two years after last week’s announcement of her latest award. Texeira was also awarded C-USA freshman of the year in 2014, while she earned two hitter of the week awards in her hot freshman start. When it comes to post-season awards, she has been in the C-USA Second Team twice already.
The first at bat for Texiera was a home run against the University of Houston last year, and it looked to be a sign of how the season would shape up for her. Texeira was nearly impossible to face for opposing pitchers, and that became clear when she was walked 25 times in March of last season. In an 11 game span during this stretch, Texeira was walked multiple times in 9 of those games, including 4 walks in a game against University of Massachusetts Lowell, a career high. 5 of her 25 walks in March were intentional.
Another preseason award hopefully means another stellar season for Texeira. The Panthers look to have a bounce back season after finishing a measly 10-14 in conference, placing them fifth out of six teams in C-USA East, and 9th overall in C-USA. FIU hosted the 2015 C-USA Softball Tournament, but was not a part of it, and going 4-7 in the 11 last regular season games was crucial for their tournament hopes.
Head coach Gator Rebhan and the Florida International University softball team has 17 members returning to their squad, three of them being the best hitters in their rotation last season. The top pitcher and a dominant staff are also a part of the players returning, and the season looks to be filled with a newfound hunger. The softball team begins their campaign with the FIU Invitational, with the first game against in-state rival school Florida State University being scheduled for February 12th at 7 pm.
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