Movement became a big topic in the offseason for an A&M Consolidated softball team trying to stay right where it's been, atop the district standings.

The Lady Tigers will deal with players moving on, moving out and moving around as they seek to capture their third consecutive district championship this season. The season begins Tuesday at Katy Cinco Ranch, where first pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Along with expected losses to graduation, Consol saw its No. 1 pitcher move away. However, the Lady Tigers hope to make a run at another league title and a playoff push thanks to a roster loaded with versatile athletes capable of playing more than one position.

"We have the talent coming back and experience with winning," Consol coach Billy Hicks said. "We've taken a couple of hits from graduation and move-aways, but the kids here are talented. They know what it takes to be successful. They're driven to do well."

Hicks knew Consol had to replace leadoff hitter Ashley Heritage and catcher Kristen Moehlman, both college signees, after the Lady Tigers lost in the Class 5A Region II semifinals last year. With team MVP Sarah Allison returning along with key starters Sydney Parks and Jordan Berry, Consol seemed to have plenty of firepower to combine with a deep, proven pitching staff.

Consol's pitching depth suffered a blow when ace Summer Groholski moved out of the school district. Now, the only experienced pitcher is junior Sarah Halliwell, who went 12-1 with a 1.83 earned run average last season as the No. 2 pitcher.

Hicks estimated that Halliwell will pitch 95 percent of the innings for Consol this season. Sophomore Macy Hicks, who pitched for the junior varsity last year, will be the backup.

"Sarah's always had such awesome movement on the ball," Hicks said. "Sometimes in the past we've had a focus issue, but right now she has been focused."

Allison should be the focus of attention for the Consol offense after leading the team last season with a .424 batting average, six home runs and 40 runs batted in while playing shortstop. Hicks went into preseason scrimmages uncertain which position Allison would play. She is a candidate to replace Moehlman at catcher, but a lingering elbow injury could force Allison to remain at shortstop, or perhaps move to first base.

Other candidates to play catcher are senior Ashley Warzon, junior move-in Gina Delisa, sophomore Kayley Smith and junior Dayton Kunz.

Consol has several infielders who are versatile. Hicks has experimented with lineup combinations with third baseman Alyssa Gregg.

"I could almost flip a coin from time-to-time for who's playing where and feel good about it," Hicks said. "They're such good athletes, and they learn."

Two outfield positions appear set, with Berry returning in left field while Jordan Bettiol moves from right to center replacing Heritage.

Lefty slap-hitters Bettiol and Berry should occupy the first two spots in a potent batting order with enough speed to be dangerous.

"We lost Ashley Heritage, who's probably one of the fastest people I ever coached, but we still have enough quickness to surprise people," Hicks said. "I wasn't sure how much I was going to run this team, but I think I'm going to run them a little bit more."

Consol, which is 0-3 in season openers under Hicks, will start at Katy Cinco Ranch on Tuesday. The Lady Tigers' first home game is scheduled for Feb. 23.

CONSOL ROSTER

No.NameClassPosition

1Sarah HalliwellJr.P/1B

2Kayley SmithSo.C/OF

3Alyssa GreggJr.3B/1B

6Sarah AllisonSr.SS/C/1B

7Jordan BettiolJr.CF

8Jordan BerrySr.LF

9Sydney ParksJr.2B/SS/RF

10Macy HicksSo.P

11Dayton KunzJr.SS/2B/C

12Ashley WarzonSr.C/1B/RF

14Sarah BowmanSr.OF

18Sarah AlmandSo.OF/2B

23Gina DelisaJr.C/1B