Arkansas Tech Winter Invitational (at Scrapyard Sports, Conroe, Texas) [Tournament Central]
Mines vs. #2 Augustana, Friday, noon CT - CANCELED
Mines vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville, Friday, 2 p.m. CT - CANCELED
Mines vs. Rogers State, Saturday, 11 a.m. CT
Mines vs. #18 Angelo State, Saturday, 1 p.m. CT
Mines vs. #22 Texas A&M-Commerce, Sunday, 10 a.m. CT
Mines vs. #15 Oklahoma Christian, Sunday, noon CT

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A NEW ERA STARTS FOR MINES SOFTBALL
As Colorado School of Mines begins its 40th season of softball, it will be under the guidance of a new head coach in Mike Coutts as the Orediggers open the 2022 season in Texas at the Arkansas Tech Winter Invitational. The three-day, four-game tournament at Scrapyard Sports in Conroe, Texas, will pit the Orediggers against three teams in the NFCA Preseason Top 25, including #18 Angelo State, #22 Texas A&M-Commerce, and #15 Oklahoma Christian.

THE SCHEDULE
Weather and travel issues have already forced two reshuffles of the weekend's schedule to what's listed above; Friday's openers against #2 Augustana and Texas A&M-Kingsville have been canceled but the rest of the weekend is on. Saturday's twinbill against Rogers and Angelo State, and Sunday's doubleheader against Texas A&M-Commerce and Oklahoma Christian, should be fine with forecast highs in the 50s and plenty of sunshine. Keep an eye on minesathletics.com and @minessoftball on Twitter for any schedule alterations.

TOURNAMENT COVERAGE
There is no streaming video coverage of this weekend's tournaments, but the organizers are planning live stats coverage with that schedule not yet finalized. Links to each game's live stats will be found on the tournament central page and here on minesathletics.com. 

COUTTS ERA BEGINS
Mines takes the field this weekend under new head coach Mike Coutts, a college softball veteran who arrived in Golden after six seasons as the head coach at the University of Maine. Coutts won an America East title and made an NCAA regional appearance at Maine, winning 94 games over his six seasons in Orono. Assistant coach Barb Duran remains on the staff this season as well. 

IN THE POLLS
Mines was chosen fourth in the RMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll released on Jan. 25. Mines received 81 points to tie for fourth with Regis. Colorado Mesa topped the poll followed closely by Colorado Christian, and MSU Denver is third. 

WHO'S BACK IN THE FIELD
The Orediggers are coming off a 22-15-1 campaign in 2021 that saw them qualify for the RMAC Tournament after going 20-10-1 in the RMAC. From among a group of veterans with 20+ starts last season Mines brings back leading returning hitter and all-RMAC selection Renata Boyd (.385), Kayleigh Krueger (.364, 27 RBI), and Lauren Decker (.324, 19 runs), along with all-RMAC second baseman Sidney Wilson (.298, 18 RBI), catcher Sam Wade (.262), and outfielder Emilee Sloan (.200). Adding depth are returners ready to break out in Claire Smith, Ellaena Rodriguez, Trystin Oshiro-Sano, Kailey Robb, Grace Gonzales, Sara Larson, and Paige Dompier, along with freshman additions with Kailey Morales, Lexie Semeyn, and Hannah Roberts. 

Positionally, Mines' outfield rotation of Boyd, Decker, Sloan, and Krueger returns intact, and Robb also had outfield starting experience in 2020. The infield will have to replace three longtime starters, however, with the graduations of Kylie Redding (1B), Clara Larson (SS), and Stefanie Brunello (3B), with only Wilson returning at second base. Behind the dish the Orediggers have Wade and Gonzales returning with experience.

IN THE CIRCLE
The Mines pitching staff graduated mainstays Sydney Marchando and Kylie Redding, but returns three pitchers including 2021 ERA leader Sadriena Rodriguez (4-0, 3.00) along with Decker (1-1, 6.13) and Krueger (4-4, 7.25), while also adding freshmen Cassidy Chvatal and Taylor Wayne. Rodriguez was Mines' relief ace last year with a pair of saves and four wins in 14 appearances, while Krueger is Mines' returning leader in innings pitched at 36.2.

LOOKING AHEAD
Mines will play four games at the Lubbock Christian Softball Classic next weekend, then roll right into RMAC play Feb. 26-27 at CSU Pueblo.