Softball season kicks off for Prairie View A&M this weekend as they'll travel to Abilene Christian for a doubleheader on Friday at 2 p.m.
The Lady Panthers begin their fourth year under head coach Vernon Bland and feature a revamped roster with 10 letterwinners returning and 15 newcomers. Last season, PVAMU finished third in the SWAC West and advanced to the semifinals of the SWAC Tournament for the third consecutive season.
Prairie View A&M was picked to finish second in the SWAC West in the annual SWAC Preseason Poll and features All-SWAC Preseason First Teamer in outfielder Alisa Navarro. The senior from LaJoya, Texas batted .322 with a team-high 30 RBIs and seven doubles.
Senior shortstop Jazmine Hicks is top returning batter as she finished the season with a .338 average, 17 RBIs, four doubles and four home runs. Fellow senior catcher Shontel Lopez also returns as she batted .322 with 21 RBIs and seven doubles in addition to sophomore utility player Alexandra Losoya (.268/14 RBIs) and junior outfielder Peyton Simms (.231/10 RBIs).
On the mound, PVAMU will have to replace three-year starter Cally Falls but has a solid foundation to build on in sophomore Olivia Lacewell. As a true freshman last season, Lacewell finished with a 3-1 mark and recorded 20 strikeouts. Junior pitcher Monica Cartwright is also back to bolster the rotation as she struck out 17 batters in 14 appearances.
Due to the weather, PVAMU did not make the trip to Abilene Christian last season and played them four times in Prairie View as a result. ACU took three-of-four from PVAMU during the series.
The Wildcats (1-4) opened their season last weekend in Louisiana at the  Lady Techster Invitational and finished 1-4 with their lone win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 14-7.
