Issue date: 2/7/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Tommy Tang Jami Lobpries, left, and Jamie Hinshaw, right, are a part of the foundation of the No. 2 Aggies. In 2007, Hinshaw started all 60 games for the Aggies at third base, while Lobpries started 46 games at various positions in the outfield and infield. [Click to enlarge]

Great championship teams of the past have featured strong supporting casts. The Chicago Bulls had Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman. The San Fransisco 49ers had Jerry Rice and John Taylor. In 2008, the Texas A&M softball team will have Jami and Jamie. Jami Lobpries and Jamie Hinshaw, that is. They do not have the championship, but they said they were confident that this is the year.

"Last year we went to the College World Series," Hinshaw said. "This year, we want to win it. We can set a goal of winning every tournament that we play in, whether it's in the Big 12 or anything."

The two make up half of the senior class, the other half being Megan Gibson and Amanda Scarborough. In terms of attention, Gibson and Scarborough get the most of it.

They have had All-American status, been named to national watch lists and have taken home trophies. But Hinshaw, the third baseman, and Lobpries, an outfielder, said they were fine with that, as long as the team wins.

"They're going to get what they deserve, and their careers have proven to be great," Lobpries said. "If we don't get interviewed every day, we're OK with that. Yes, they do get a lot of the credit, but if we still win, I'm still happy."

In 2007, the Aggies defeated No. 18 Florida in the NCAA Super Regional to advance to their first College World Series in 10 years. However, the Aggies were immediately overwhelmed, losing a hard- fought battle against No. 1 Tennessee, and then being eliminated by No. 7 Baylor. Hinshaw and Lobpries agreed that the team was not ready for the emotional and physical strain of the big games, but the experience gained would pay dividends in 2008.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools