The avengers

The memory of the 2011 season still lingers in the back of co-head coach Kathleen Rodriguez's head, and she plans on making that the driving force for the 2012 campaign.

"There's a lot to be said for someone who has a lot of competitiveness. There's a lot to be said for someone who still kind of hurts from last year. I guarantee you I haven't forgotten any single game we played. That's something we've been drawing off of every single practice," Rodriguez said. "Absolutely forgetting about last year? No. It's a little bit of a payback tour. We have a lot to prove and to be overlooked is something that we take very personal."

The Miners finished 2011 with a 16-37-1 record, the second-worst record since becoming a program in 2004. They lost 24 of their last 26 games of the 2011 season, winning just one game and tying one Conference-USA game. That one tie was their only result that was not a loss in league play.

Getting the new season started brings excitement to both players and coaches.

"We're just really excited. We've been working really hard since the fall," Rodriguez said. "They've given everything that they can possibly give in strength and conditioning and with everything that they've done here everyday."

UTEP will get help from seniors Chelsea Troupe (utility) and Camilla Carrera (catcher) who missed time last season due to injuries. Troupe was able to break the program's single-season record with 14 home runs, and added 31 RBIs in 104 at bats before being sidelined by a concussion.

Carrera is coming off a back injury that forced her to miss 42 games and red-shirt for a fifth year of eligibility. The excitement of a new season has given her a new perspective to her approach.

"(I'll) take it one game at a time. It's one of those things that I definitely want to cherish this season because it is my last season so I want to make sure I'm giving it my all," Carrera said. "I always have my goals in my head, but I definitely just want to be out here and make sure I give it all for my team and that my team is doing everything they can to win."

Rodriguez believes the group has grown stronger during the offseason and is hoping the camaraderie can carry over to success in 2012.

"I think they're a really strong team, they get along really well and they'll play for each other, which is something pretty neat for (co-head coach) James (Rodriguez) and myself," Rodriguez said. "This is a sisterhood so it's pretty cool, it's exciting."

UTEP welcomes a trio of new transfer players in juniors Charissa Ballesteros (catcher/infielder) from Prima Community College, Cynthia Villastrigo (pitcher) from Mexico and sophomore Colleen Hohman (pitcher/infielder) from Kansas.

Rodriguez mentioned both Hohman and Vallastrigo as players who add depth and experience to the team. Hohman brings experience of playing in the Big 12 conference, while Vallastrigo carries over her experience with the Mexican national team.

Carrera is looking for her younger teammates to apply what's been practiced to the games and to simply play with more confidence in close games.

"Just come in loose. When we get tight is when we get in trouble," Carrera said. "The thing is all we have to do is make sure we do what we know. It's just coming out here and applying it."

James Rodriguez said for the team to be successful this season, all sides of the game will have to give their part and overcoming the struggles of 2011 will consist of keeping a positive attitude.

"It's going to take offense, defense, pitching. Every aspect of the game to win," James Rodriguez said. "We're going to stay positive, take one game at a time and try to win every game we play."

The Miners' first pitch of the 2012 season will come against the Santa Clara Broncos at 3 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex.

Daniel Ornelas may be reached at prospector@utep.edu.