Florida Gators
Tennessee (Quarter finals)
Newcomers Fagan and Coyle short on experience but not ability for Gators softball team
Tuesday, February 8, 2011 | Softball, Women's Tennis, Scott Carter
The new left side of the UF softball team's infield might be short on college experience, but freshmen Cheyenne Coyle and Kasey Fagan have strong athletic genes on their side.
Fagan takes over as the Gators' starting third baseman fresh off winning Gatorade National Player of the Year honors last season at Dunnellon High. Fagan is the daughter of former San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Kevin Fagan – also her coach at Dunnellon.
Meanwhile, Coyle grew up in an athletic family in West Hills, Calif. Her older brother Bobby Coyle played baseball at Fresno State and hit .316 in his rookie season of professional baseball last summer in the Los Angeles Dodgers' organization.
“They are so athletic and so versatile; they will play a huge role for us,'' Florida head coach Tim Walton said Monday.
The Gators open the 2011 season on Friday against Marshall in the first of five games this weekend in Clearwater as part of the USF Wilson DeMarini Tournament. Florida returns five senior starters, but the two freshmen will play a key role.
Fagan takes over as the starting third baseman following the departure of steady Corrie Brooks. Walton said Monday that Fagan's background will help her quickly adjust to the college game.
“She is super athletic,'' Walton said. “She is going to bring a lot of big-time flavor for us.”
Walton recalled in the fall during an exhibition game that Fagan received the loudest ovation thanks to all the support from her family and friends who came up from Marion County to watch her play.
“We've already increased our fan base,'' he quipped Monday.
As for Coyle, she moved all the way across the country for college and will replace Brittany Walker, who transferred to Texas A&M. Walton is thankful Coyle chose UF considering the talent she brought with her.
“From a projection standpoint, Cheyenne Coyle is the best shortstop we've had here in a long, long time. She's a player,'' Walton said. “She is very athletic and has a great throwing arm. She can adjust on the fly. She throws the ball as well as I've ever seen a shortstop throw the ball from deep shortstop to home plate on long relays.''
The Gators open the season ranked No. 5 in both the Preseason USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association and ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate polls after going 49-10 last season and making a third consecutive trip to the Women's College World Series.
