DENTON, Texas (9/18/09) - Despite the rain this past week, the North Texas softball team started its fall practice on Monday and opens its season with the third annual Alumni Game on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 6 pm at Lovelace Stadium.

Head coach TJ Hubbard believes the team will look the best they ever had this fall, mostly due to the large number of returners. The Mean Green is returning seven starters and has only two field positions open at right field and shortstop.

Although the rain has frustrated Hubbard and forced the team indoors, he is excited for this weekend. He is especially excited to see his two new pitchers Ashley Kirk and Brittany Simmons outside and throwing to batters. Hubbard calls them a breath of fresh air. The Mean Green has not brought in two pitchers at the same time in quite a while and now has a staff of five pitchers.

The coaching staff has a few goals for the fall season. Goal No. 1 is to get the newcomers feeling comfortable with the Mean Green's overall style of play. The team takes the Alumni Game very seriously, as do the alumni, and they do use it to prepare for the spring. Despite the short amount of practice time, Hubbard intends to get the freshman pitchers and the three new field players involved in the game.

The second goal is to assess the pitching staff and see how the rotation will work. New pitching coach Lisa Ferguson will have a large staff to work with. She has two freshman pitchers and returners Ashley Lail, Kayla Lawson and Jennifer Smith.

Another goal is to create pressure situations in the games. The good thing about the fall, says Hubbard, is that you can create situations in games where role players (pinch hitters, pinch runners and late inning defense) can be inserted. You can see how the players react.

A large group of alumni are ready to test the 2009-10 squad. Only a handful of alumni will be missing from the 2004, 05, 06, 07, 08 and 09 teams. Nicole Rodriguez, Class of 2005, is coming in from Boston, and 2009 graduates Kadie Platt and Sarah Jones will also be in attendance.

First pitch is at 6 pm at Lovelace Stadium in the Mean Green Village.