2019 Tennessee Softball Position Preview: Pitchers/Catchers

As we approach opening day of the 2019 Tennessee softball season, UTSports.com will preview a position group each week. To start things off we'll take a look at the Lady Vols' battery.

Tennessee's mix of veteran and talented newcomers on the mound and behind the plate is shaping up to be one of the strengths of this year's team.

Pitchers (In order of innings pitched in 2018)

#12 Caylan Arnold (Jr. | RHP | Maryville, Tenn.)
Arnold enters her junior season with increased expectations after leading Tennessee in innings pitched (217.0) and ERA (2.19) in 2018. She also threw a career-high 227 strikeouts en route to 26 wins which ties for 10^th place in program history for a single season. The Maryville native appeared in 52 games last season while making 33 starts. She also threw 12 complete games including one in the SEC Tournament against LSU, holding the Tigers scoreless. Arnold was named SEC Pitcher of the Week three times in 2018 and earned NFCA All-Region and SEC All-Tournament Team honors.

#1 Matty Moss (Sr. | RHP | Greenville, S.C.)
Moss enters her senior season as the Lady Vols' most experienced pitcher with 65 career starts in 119 appearances. The Greenville, S.C., native ranks seventh in program history with a 1.94 career ERA and fourth with a .208 career batting average against. Last season, she appeared in 42 games, going 18-6 overall and recorded her 300th career strikeout against Florida Atlantic on Feb. 17. During postseason play, she recorded eight strikeouts in five innings to lead UT to a win over Monmouth in the NCAA Regional on May 18.

Catchers (In order of games played in 2018)

#44 Abby Lockman (Sr. | C | Corona, Calif.)
Lockman played in 62 games as a junior and started a career-high 53 times. The Corona, Calif., native also set career marks in runs scored (17), hits (33), RBI (33) and slugging percentage (.410). She hit the fourth-most doubles (7) of anyone on the team and tied for second with eight homers in 2018. Lockman also brought home Easton/NFCA Scholar-Athlete honors for the third consecutive year in addition to earning SEC Honor Roll.

#21 Katie Weimer (Sr. | C | Orchard Park, N.Y.)
Weimer started 13 games and made a total of 29 appearances for the Lady Vols in 2018. She notched seven hits, including her first-career triple en route to five RBIs. The New York native also registered a double in Game 1 of the NCAA Super Regionals against Georgia. Weimer earned SEC Honor Roll distinctions in both 2017 and 2018.

Newcomers (By position in alphabetical order)

#14 Ashley Rogers (Fr. | RHP | Athens, Tenn.)
Rogers was named the 2017 Gatorade Tennessee Softball Player of the Year and the Extra Inning Softball High School Player of the Year. The Athens, Tenn., native was part of the 2018 USA Today All-USA Preseason High School Team and the 2017 American Family Insurance All-USA High School Softball Second Team. Rogers led Meigs County to the 2016 and 2017 TSSAA Class A State Championship, where she posted a pitching record of 20-1 with six perfect games and 20 shutouts. She also threw 248 strikeouts with just one earned run.

#52 Madison Pacini (Fr. | OF/C | San Diego, Calif.)
Pacini hails from San Diego, Calif., and graduated Bonita Vista High School with a grade point average of 4.05. She was the Commissioner of Athletics for the Associated Student Body and played travel ball with the SoCal Choppers. Pacini is also a recipient of the Mary LeAnn Mynatt Women's Athletic Endowed Scholarship.

#8 Kaili Phillips (Fr. | UTL/C | Ooltewah, Tenn.)
Phillips reigns from Ooltewah, Tenn., and attended Silverdale Baptist Academy. FloSoftball ranked her as the No. 77 player in the nation. Phillips played for the Tennessee Fury Premier Travel Team and is also a recipient of the Marilyn & Robert A. Jake Softball Scholarship Endowment.

#34 Ally Shipman (Fr. | C | Valencia, Calif.)
Shipman was named an Extra Innings Softball 2018 Elite 100 Player and a 2018 PGF Regional All-American. The Valencia, Calif., native batted .356 as a senior with seven home runs, five triples, 34 walks, 25 RBIs and a .528 on-base percentage. Shipman received the 2017 Foothill League Player of the Year award and played club softball for the SoCal Choppers travel team.