A&M legend Megan Gibson sees the Ags trending up in Ford's second year

A three-time All-American pitcher and a Texas A&M Hall of Famer, Megan Gibson-Loftin is now Twelve's Director of Softball Operations. The A&M legend joined Thursday's edition of TexAgs Radio to offer her thoughts on Trisha Ford & Co. as the stretch run continues.

Key notes from Megan Gibson-Loftin interview

• I think this is really exciting to think that Texas A&M is only in year two under Trisha Ford, but they have already made such progress. I think they’re on a great path, and that’s really exciting as an alumni. It’s exciting to watch them as well.
   
• I’m biased, but I love Emiley Kennedy. I consider her one of my extended children. It has been great to see the adjustments she has made and her new mentality. I love that she has committed to making herself better, and it’s showing on the field. Everyone is seeing the Emiley Kennedy that I knew she could be.
   
• Kennedy’s presence is impressive. She’s 6-foot-2, and God blessed her with that. Beyond that, you can see it in her face. Her demeanor in the circle is impressive. She doesn’t let the little things affect her like she did when she was younger. That is the biggest improvement that she has made this year.
   
• Even teams knowing that Kennedy is part of this staff when you’re allowing her to get the rest keeps her in your back pocket helps you a lot. As an opposing team, it’s like, “Oh dang.” The other pitchers do a great job too, but Kennedy is always available as well.
   
• This A&M defense in the outfield has been phenomenal all year, and it starts with the center fielder Jazmine Hill. She’s getting recognition offensively, but her defense gets overlooked. She’s a great outfielder. She’s also a great hitter. I do think she leads the offense. How she goes is how the team goes. She’s good enough to withhold that.
   
• The offense has speed throughout the lineup, which is so fun as a coach. Speed never has a bad day. They have the big hitters, and when the speed gets on, it takes the pressure off the big boppers because you only have to put the ball in play. You have Hill, Trinity Cannon and Julia Cottrill. You also have Kramer Eschete, who is a triple threat. She’s a gap-to-gap hitter with the ability to hit the ball out of the ballpark, in addition to being a speedster.
   
• I’ve never seen a kid hit more opposite-field home runs than Allie Enright. She does such a great job.
   
• The duo of Kennedy and Emily Leavitt as well as Shaylee Ackerman set the tone. They got a good outing from Brooke Vestal recently too, who is a spinner. All four compliment each other. Kennedy is a powerhouse that throws really hard. The other three compliment her and each other. It makes it so difficult for opposing offenses to prepare.
   
• A&M’s last loss was a heartbreaker. The last few losses have been close and could have gone either way. That’s a testament to the pitching staff because they’re keeping them in ballgames.
   
• I think A&M is in a spot to host a regional. The strength of schedule early in the year wasn’t the hardest, but it put them in a position before entering the dogfight of the SEC. They have Alabama, Ole Miss and Florida, and those are all tough opponents. If they can win two of their next three series and not get swept, they should be in a great position to host.
   
• I think they’re ahead of schedule in the Ford era. You don’t expect year one or two to be overly successful, but they’re on track to compete this year. It aligns with a lot of what the 2017 team did, and they went to the Women’s College World Series. By far, they are ahead of schedule.
   
• Just like any team, you have your ups and downs. They’re not firing on all cylinders, which is exciting because they’re not at the end of the season where you’ll have to be doing so. They’re about to be on national television against Alabama this weekend, and they’re nationally ranked. This is setting you up for the recruitment of more players, and it’s setting the tone for the future. This year is building the program for the future.
   
• Being in the SEC helps set you apart, but having a program that wasn’t in the best of spots before Ford got here and is currently trending up, these current players are a huge reason for where this program is going to go. Hopefully, it will be a powerhouse in the future. It’s helping A&M stand apart.
   
• Texas is ranked No. 1. Having Texas and Oklahoma go back and forth has been crazy to watch. Texas is an up-and-coming program with Mike White. Oklahoma is already a powerhouse. It’s going to take the SEC even higher if that’s even possible. These two teams coming into the league is good for our sport. I think it’s going to be great.
   
• It’s easy to look at Alabama and say they're having a “down” year. They’re not dominating like they have in the past, but they’re still ranked. It’s a great opportunity for A&M to jump on them at Rhoads Stadium and get a series win or a series sweep. Alabama’s pitching is good, but they don’t have a singular dominant arm like A&M does with Kennedy. It’ll be tough either way, and it’s always tough to play in Tuscaloosa. Still, I think it will be a good weekend.
   
• Sustaining success is part of the puzzle, as is preparing yourself early in the year for SEC play. Alabama is losing more games than they have in the past. For A&M, it’s looking good with three weekends left, but they have to take care of business.
   
• Keep trending upward as you get ready for the postseason. Can you win out in the SEC? It’s not likely. Trying to win every series will put you in a good position. Work upwards into the postseason. Make sure everything is trending in the right direction.
   
• Things at Twelve Softball are very good. Our youth teams are getting ready to roll into early summer. The high school season is getting ready to start practice in the next few weeks as well. Things are going well.