Spring Break
Softball sensation
Power pitch
By: T.D. Durham
Issue date: 2/6/09 Section: News
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"At around 10 years old, I had this love for animals," Kliesing said. "My mom told me that A&M had a great veterinary program, so I thought this school would be perfect."
The 5-foot-10-inch right-handed pitcher started playing softball when she was 4 years old. Little did she know she would be standing at home plate with a bat at the Women's College World Series championship game 15 years later.
The Aggies were playing Arizona State in the second game of the finals after losing to the Sun Devils 3-0 in the first game. In the sixth inning, Kliesing went to the plate to lead off. She had failed to tally a hit in the first game and was 0-for-2 in the second.
On a 2-0 pitch, Kliesing flied out to left field. The Aggies fell to Arizona State 11-0 one inning later. Kliesing, who hit .279 in 2008, did not get another at bat.
Kliesing said that game is a motivation factor for the team, which has been ranked No. 5 and No. 10 in preseason polls.
"We all know we have the talent to play at a national championship level," Kliesing said. "If we work together and believe as a team, we can win."
Coming into the 2009 season, Kliesing, who spent 2008 platooning from the mound to first base, is the most experienced returning pitcher.
In high school, Kliesing received All-American accolades in 2005 and 2006. As a junior, she posted an earned run average of 0.34 and claimed Player of the Year titles from different organizations.
Her softball skills, not her animal-loving nature, allowed Kliesing to attend the school she had been attracted to for years.
After a successful 2008 season, which included the second place finish in the Women's College World Series, the Aggies lost two senior pitchers, Amanda Scarborough and Megan Gibson, to graduation.
The two seniors combined to be a powerful tag team on the mound during the previous four years of Aggie softball. The pair accounted for 45 of A&M's 57 wins in 2008.
With the two leaders gone, Kliesing will join freshman Rebecca Arbino and senior transfer Savana Lloyd from Boston College on the mound in 2009. Arbino was a four-year starter at Clovis High School in California.
Head Coach Jo Evans said Kliesing and Arbino have worked well together in the preseason and will be a great duo.
"Becca and [Kliesing] work in tandem," Evans said. "She definitely won't have to pitch every game with Arbino on the team."
In 2008, Kliesing started 16 games for A&M and finished with a 12-4 record and 1.40 ERA. After Scarborough suffered an injury in the middle of the season, Kliesing took over the pitching role.
With high expectations from Evans, Kliesing said the pressure started to get to her during the Aggies' fall season.
"I struggled [this] fall with confidence," Kliesing said. "Being one of the oldest pitchers out there in my second season here was difficult."
Evans said Kliesing has the potential to be a big leader for the young squad.
"She had a chance last season to learn from the senior pitchers we had," Evans said. "She has a great work ethic, is very intelligent and is now taking it upon herself to be a leader on this team."
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