Softball team a national championship contender

The KU softball team will head into the 2008 season with extremely high expectations following a 2007 season in which they recorded a 43-18 overall record. The Golden Bears were just one strike away from defeating Division II powerhouse Lock Haven for the PSAC Championship and, if not for an injury to ace Katlin Arbogast, would have been contenders for the Eastern Regional title.

The 2007 Golden Bears won the PSAC East with a 22-2 record and set a school record in both overall and PSAC East wins. Head Coach Judy Lawes was named the PSAC East coach of the year, while slugging first baseman Steph Denlinger (pictured) was named the PSAC East Female Player of the Year.

The 2008 version of the Golden Bears is not much different from the powerhouse squad of one year ago, but did lose a few important pieces. Gone are leadoff hitter and standout centerfielder Adriane Willmer, who graduated in May. Catcher Dani Spalik also graduated, while backup pitcher Rachel Weidensaul left the team for personal reasons. Lindsay Bennett was expected to start at shortstop, but had to leave the team to focus on her degree. Other players from last year’s team who are not back in 2008 include Liana Daczka and Jennie Lincoln.

While Coach Lawes will certainly miss the departed, she has brought in several worthy replacements. The most notable is Krista Tedjeske, who is expected to start at shortstop and bat sixth. Maggie Reifsnyder will likely see significant time as a compliment to Sam Flowers in right field and as a backup pitcher, while Alex Najpauer will backup Kim Morrison at second base. When workhorse Arbogast needs a breather, newcomers Monica Glomb and Mary Hoch will split a majority of the time on the mound.

Other newcomers include pitcher Lauren Doering and outfielders Joanna Spangler, Angela Domenici, and Nicole Hannum (will redshirt).

The freshmen are going to be in for quite a ride as they are joining a team that certainly has national championship hopes. Led by last year’s division II leader in homeruns, Steph Denlinger, KU’s offense is one the best ever in the PSAC, and possibly in Division II. Denlinger’s returning supporting cast includes Kim Morrison, Maria Schiavo, Krista Cameron, and Ashley Fitzgerald. Those five are expected to bat first through fifth, providing a ton of offense to say the least. Deeper in the lineup will be the aforementioned Tedjeske, Caitlin Hague, and Sam Flowers.

Probable Starting Lineup:
(L to R: Batting Order – Position – Player – 2007 AVG/HR/RBI – Note)

1. 2B - Kim Morrison - .329/3/31 – Doesn’t walk much, but has speed and should score a ton of runs in this offense.

2. LF - Maria Schiavo - .324/0/38 – Hit in this spot last year as a rookie and set the KU single season record for sacrifice hits with 27.

3. 1B - Steph Denlinger - .507/24/73 – Will be expected to put up similar numbers to 2007, but will likely be walked even more than the PSAC record 51 times from 2007.

4. 3B - Krista Cameron - .359/16/66 – If opponents turn to walking Denlinger, Cameron could drive in 80+ runs this year.

5. CA/DH - Ashley Fitzgerald - .396/11/61 – She will catch more this year, which hopefully will not wear her down at the plate where she excels.

6. SS - Krista Tedjeske – N/A – The only rookie in the lineup will be counted on to provide some pop behind the “big 3”.

7. CA - Caitlin Hague - .325/1/12 – Will split time at catcher and is an excellent contact hitter.

or DH - Tami Wambold - .176/2/3 – She will DH when Fitzgerald catches and will be swinging for the fences every at bat.

8. RF - Sam Flowers - .211/3/11 – Will start in right field, but will feel free pressure from freshman Reifsnyder.

9. CF - Kathy Gregg - .337/0/7 – Was stellar as the nine hitter in 07 and will be relied on to get on base for the top of the order…not to mention replace Willmer in center field.

Returning to the bench:
IF Emily Fazekas - .200/0/0
IF Anne Arbogast - .000/0/0
IF/CA Laine Heisler - .167/0/1

Probable Pitching Staff:
(L to R: Depth – Player – 2007 Record/ERA/K – Note)

Ace: Katlin Arbogast – 27-9/1.82/287 – KU’s single-season wins and strikeout record holder was the ace in 2007 and will be even better this season.

Secondary option: Monica Glomb – N/A – The freshman will be relied on to produce when Arbogast needs a breather

Secondary option: Mary Hoch – N/A – Like Glomb, this power pitching freshman will see time behind Arbogast.

Other option - Christie McIntyre (0-0/13.36/1) – Saw little action a year ago, but could get more work this year depending how the freshmen fare.

What to expect:
This team is as good as they get at this level and there is absolutely no reason to expect anything less than a contender for the regional title. This team had Division II powerhouse Lock Haven beat last year and the player’s are as motivated as ever to storm back and roll over their PSAC rivals in 2008. The team does have a few question marks including depth and the heavy reliance on freshman pitchers behind Arbogast, but KU also has one of the best offenses in the nation and a proven winner on the mound.

If the team’s core players stay healthy and the pitching holds up, the Golden Bears will be a serious contender for a national championship. You heard it here first.