Trisha Ford, No. 16 seed A&M preparing to host first regional since 2018

Texas A&M softball claimed a top-16 national seed on Sunday and will begin postseason play at Davis Diamond this Friday. Head coach Trisha Ford joined Wednesday's edition of TexAgs Radio to preview the field of the Bryan-College Station Regional and much more.

Key notes from Trisha Ford interview

• Getting ready to play some softball.
   
• I’m excited that we are hosting postseason softball at David Diamond. At the end of the day, we have to win. We are in year two here. We have to continue to grow this brand. We have a tough regional ahead of us.
   
• The frustration lies in how they determine seeding. They use different metrics every year and weigh them differently. Our schedule for next year is pretty much done. Last year, the top-25 wins were the strongest parameter, but they weren't this year. Keep it consistent and transparent.
   
• Say, “Hey, these are the four factors that will weigh heavily and how we will look at them.” We were told KPI was going to be a big thing this year. It wasn't a thing at all.
   
• Our top-25 wins were really good, and I felt good about where we were. The committee felt differently, but they still gave us the top-16 seed. I told the girls, “Let’s go play softball. Let’s focus our energy there.” Keep getting better every year, and we will force their hand.
   
• The SEC is the best conference from a talent standpoint and for preparing us for the postseason. They do a tremendous job of hosting the SEC Tournament. It is hands down the best conference, and they run it first class.
   
• You can't control the weather, so we sat for a couple of days at the SEC Tournament. South Carolina was a close game, and Koko Wooley came through. The people before her got on base. Emiley Kennedy settled in nicely and got double-digit strikeouts. 
   
• Then, we played Florida for the fourth time in what felt like three days. The Florida game was really close. We went back and forth. They took the lead and held it.
   
• The quarterfinal round was the farthest Aggie softball has ever made it in the SEC Tournament. That win was huge. For me, it was them learning to win on that stage.
   
• As a 16-seed, we’re supposed to have the toughest regional. We open up with Albany. They won their conference and had a solid attack from top to bottom. 
   
• Penn State was one of the last teams in, which is crazy because their freshman pitcher, Bridget Nemeth, is on a top-25 pitcher's watchlist.
   
• We are very familiar with Texas State. Jessica Mullins leads the nation in wins this year and the top 10-15 in ERA. We have our hands full, but that's alright. You have to beat the good ones to get to the promised land.
   
• I try not to pay attention to the weather. Friday, we will play it by ear. Our field staff will be ready.
   
• Emily Leavitt is good at hitting her spots and changing speeds. Shaylee Ackerman is starting to come back to us. Go compete and give Kennedy some support. Brooke Vestal has been the dark horse.
   
• We’re in a great place. We have a chip on our shoulder. We play better there.