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2008 Softball Season Preview
After tying for fourth place last season in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) but missing the conference tournament due to a tie-breaker, the Elmhurst College softball team enters the 2008 season prepared to make a run at reaching the league’s tournament.
"I'm very optimistic about this season," said head coach Lori Brown. "This is by far the most talented team we’ve had in my eight seasons as head coach."
While Brown believes the Bluejays have the talent, the young squad is lacking in experience, something Brown hopes the squad picks up in a hurry.
"We have a lot of young players that we're going to be counting on to produce in their first season with us," said Brown. "We'll also be counting on our returning players to provide them with some leadership and take some of the pressure off our newcomers."
One of the senior leaders Brown will look to for leadership is center fielder Beth Cann (Peotone/H.S.). Cann earned second-team all-conference honors last season while posting a team-high .404 average and driving in 19 runs. Cann also became the first Elmhurst softball player to be named a first-team ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American.
"Beth had a great season for us in 2007," said Brown. "We'll be counting on her to provide us with a solid bat and stabilize our outfield."
Junior Lauren Ventrella (Orland Hills/Andrew) is likely to return to one of the two corner outfield spots with freshmen Amanda Bowlin (Ballwin, Mo./Marquette) and Becca Zumpf (Frankfort/Lincoln-Way East) battling for the remaining spot.
Freshmen Genesis Jelkes (Chicago/St. Francis de Sales) and Melissa March (Lombard/Glenbard East) will give the Bluejays some needed depth in the outfield.
The Bluejays were dealt a blow before the season started when it was learned that all-conference shortstop Ashley Grice (Kirkwood, Mo./H.S.) would miss the 2008 campaign with an injury. Grice hit .365 last season with a team-high 18 extra base hits and 24 RBI.
"Losing Ashley to an injury certainly hurts us as a team," said Brown. "Not only did she provide us with a big bat in the middle of the line-up, but she was also a very solid defensive shortstop. Our players are going to have to pick up the slack caused by her absence."
The Bluejays expect to get solid play out of the corner infield positions. At first base, Brown expects returners Angela Monson (Rochelle/H.S.) and Vanessa Kalal (Montgomery/Oswego) and freshmen Bowlin and Melissa McCarthy (Ballwin, Mo./Marquette) to battle for playing time.
At third base, sophomore Maureen Roderick (Alton/H.S.) returns after starting most of the 2007 season. Freshman Jill Karsa (Downers Grove/Downers Grove South) is also expected to push for playing time.
With Grice's injury, Brown will look to junior Rachel Pietrucha (Orland Hills/Andrew) to shore up the middle infield. Pietrucha hit .282 and drove in 14 runs last season and can play both shortstop and second base. Bowlin could also see time at shortstop due to Grice’s injury. Freshman Tia Martini (Addison/Driscoll Catholic) gives brown another versatile middle infielder who can play both positions. Sophomore Michele Fournier (Oak Lawn/Richards) will also provide the Bluejays depth after moving from the outfield to the infield.
"We have a lot of versatility when it comes to our team," said Brown. "There are a lot of players who are capable of playing multiple positions that will allow us a lot of flexibility in our lineup."
The Bluejays have plenty of depth behind the plate. Sophomore Sam Burmeister (Winter Park, Fla./Trinity Prep.) and freshmen Rachel Hartman (Collinsville, Mo./H.S.), Liz McAllister (Sault Ste. Marie, Mich./Sault Area) and Kendra Ostrander (Decatur/Eisenhower) will all battle for time at catcher.
Brown knows that in order for the Bluejays to be successful, they'll have to improve their pitching. Last season, the Bluejays had a combined .534 ERA and surrendered over 300 hits.
"There were a lot of times that we just did not pitch well last year," said Brown. "But there were also games that our offense did not provide run support when our pitchers were throwing well. This season, I believe our offense will be able to produce on a more consistent basis which should take some pressure of our pitching staff."
Brown expects that senior Jaci Hall (Naperville/Waubonsie Valley) can regain the all-conference form she had during her sophomore season when she registered eight wins and a 2.98 ERA.
"Jaci has been working extremely hard and is looking very sharp in the preseason," said Brown.
Joining Hall as a returning pitcher is Vanessa Kalal. Kalal logged 68 innings in 20 appearances last season and recorded three wins. Freshmen Stephanie Breese (Plainfield/H.S.) and Brenda Ferguson (Villa Park/Willowbrook) could also contribute in their first season with the teams.
With a tough preseason schedule, that includes the defending national champion, Linfield College, Brown knows that the Bluejays will be tested early.
"Our schedule has us facing some very tough opponents," said Brown. "We'll definitely be put to the test right away. Hopefully, our schedule will have us well prepared for when we begin the conference season."
Overall, Brown feels that the Bluejays have the talent to reach the conference tournament for the first time since the 1997 season.
"We've been close to reaching the conference tournament on numerous occasions, but we've always needed help from other teams along the way," said Brown. "With the talent we have and the leadership we'll get from our seniors, we certainly are capable of controlling our own destiny and getting to the conference tournament."
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