A look ahead: 2009 Softball

The 2008 softball season is in the books, but it’s never too early to look ahead to 2009. The Golden Bears lose two talented players to graduation in designated player/catcher Caitlin Hague and centerfielder Kathy Gregg, but return a significant amount talent, including every pitcher and seven regulars from the everyday lineup.

The ladies completed the 2008 season with an impressive 48-14 record and should only be better in 2009.

Lock Haven, KU’s top competitor in the Mid-Atlantic Region, will likely be tough again next season, losing only starting 2B Devin Glezen and reserve Missy Kurian to graduation. And yes, Kutztown fans, all-American pitcher Kristin Erb will be back. A junior in 2008, it saddens me to say she still has one year of eligibility.

As for Bloomsburg, who knocked KU out of the PSAC and Regional playoffs, the Huskies take a much bigger hit with PSAC East pitcher of the year Ashley Lynn’s career in the books. Add #2 pitcher Sheelin Fisher, 1B Jess Rosin, OF Jill Homyak, 1B Stacy Krupiewski, 3B Kayleen Sidisky, and CA Tiff Corliss to that list and Bloom has quite a rebuilding effort ahead of them.

The conference is still sure to be competitive, but Kutztown’s core of superstars will be back and have one more year of experience. The Golden Bears have yet to prove they can overcome their biggest obstacle (beat Lock Haven), but with the returning talent in 2009, there is no reason they shouldn’t come out with loads of confidence. Keep in mind that 2009 will mark the final season of the Steph Denlinger-Ashley Fitzgerald (pictured above)-Krista Cameron-Kim Morrison dynasty, which means they will be pulling all the stops to get to Nationals.

New faces in 2009

Heather Hannum – (Pictured to left - Photo Credit: www.bansheesfastpitch.com) From Horsham, PA, Hannum is listed as both a pitcher and firstbaseman. She joins her sister Nicole, who was a redshirted as a freshman this past season for KU. Unless she proves she can dominate opposing hitters as a freshman, I don’t see her spending much time in the pitching circle in the near future. If she proves she can hit right away, the right-handed hitter is a strong candidate to see time at designated player with Denlinger manning firstbase for one more season. According to rivals.com, she ran a 3.03 20-yard dash last season, third best among softball recruits at that time. At 5”10”-155 pounds, Hannum seems like she has five-tool potential.

The following clips are from stories I found online while researching the soon-to-be-Golden Bear: “The homerun was Heather's third of the day, having launched two in the semi-final contest against the Lehigh Valley Wildcats.” (www.eteamz.com) and “…said H-H senior Heather Hannum, whose two-run, 320-foot home run in the first was the beginning of the end for South.” (www.phillyburbs.com) Mouth watering yet?

Laura Kelley – From Stafford, VA, Kelley is a right-handed hitting outfielder and firstbaseman. With Gregg gone from the outfield, there is a spot open to be filled by either a returning veteran or a freshman. Kelley, who also ran track in high school, will likely get a chance to compete for the job. She considers herself a power hitter and was a key member of her high school team, which enjoyed an undefeated 2008 regular season. According to www.fredericksburg.com, Coach Lawes has been quoted as saying Kelley could see significant playing time as a freshman, as she is versatile and “could develop into a nice power hitter.”

Here is a caption about Kelley from www.fredericksburg.com: “…with Laura Kelley leading the way with four hits, including a bases-loaded triple, and six RBIs.”

Michelle McGinty – From Warminster, PA, McGinty is listed soley as a third basemen, which means Cameron will finally have some relief at the hot corner. McGinty will not see much time at third in 2009, but, like Hannum, will likely be a key contributor from 2010-2012. She seems to have the potential to be a strong third baseman in the field and at the plate. McGinty was a four year starter for her high school team and hit .448 in her senior season. Other numbers from her senior campaign include a 1.184 OPS, 16 RBIs, and .930 fielding percentage.

Nicole Colineri – From Scotch Plains, PA, Colineri is listed as a switch hitting middle-infielder, which means she could be groomed as Morrison’s replacement in 2010 and could spell Krista Tedjeske for playing time next season.

Projected Lineup
A majority of the lineup should stay the same in 2009, but designated player and centerfield voids need to be filled. This is my projected lineup, but it is almost certain to change as Coach Judy Lawes becomes more familiar with her new faces and as the veterans progress this offseason.

Batting Order—Class—Bats—Player—Position—(2008 Stats)

1 – Sr – L – Kim Morrison – 2B – (.279-3-16)
Morrison wasn’t herself in her first season as a leadoff hitter, but improved as the season went on and is likely to return to the role in 2009. She hit just .279 after combining to hit .326 in her first two seasons, but there wasn’t as much of a dropoff from her .352 career on base percentage to .330 in 2008. This was because she drew 14 walks in 2008 after walking just 12 combined times in her previous two seasons. She also saw her individual numbers dip from 2007 to 2008 in doubles (16-9), triples (3-0), and runs (53-42). Her power numbers were also down, but this was not surprising as she moved to more of a table-setting role.

If Morrison were to be moved out of the top spot, she could swap places with Schiavo or be dropped all the way to at least sixth in the order. She is too good to bat that low, so unless someone breaks out in the offseason and coach Lawes has no choice but to put them first in the order, Morrison will likely return to the top spot. She is a great contact hitter, but needs to work hard this offseason to rebound from a disappointing 2008. Expect her to bounce back and hit around .320 in her senior season.

2 – Jr – L – Maria Schiavo – LF – (.316-0-17)
Like Morrison, Schiavo saw her numbers dip this season, but fortunately it was not as dramatic of a decline. The junior’s batting average fell eight points and she had six less doubles, three less runs scored, 21 less RBIs, six less steals, and 12 less total bases. Those changes aren’t too significant and Schiavo’s on base percentage actually went up three points in 2008 thanks to drawing a few more walks than in 2007. The steep decline in RBIs is a product of Adriane Willmer batting ahead of her in 2007 as compared to a struggling Morrison in 2008.

She is likely to remain the two hitter as she is one of the nation’s top sacrifice bunters. She is an outstanding contact hitter and, statistically, she will basically go as Morrison goes. If there are runners on, she will be counted on to bunt them over. If not, she will need to find ways to get herself in scoring position for the big bats behind her.

3 – Sr – L – Steph Denlinger – 1B – (.349-16-55)
Denlinger had another superstar season in 2008, but the 2007 PSAC East player of the year actually saw a significant decrease statistically. The senior lefty saw her batting average drop from .507 to .349, her homerun total from 24 to 16, and her RBIs from 73 to 55. She also scored 17 less runs, saw her slugging percentage dip from 1.111 to .716, and watched her on base percentage fall from .625 to .491. After walking an almost unbelievable 51 times in 2007, Denlinger walked 46 more times in 2008, with the decline mostly a product of the outstanding protection provided by Fitzgerald in the cleanup spot.

Denlinger’s 2007 season would have been almost impossible to repeat, but I don’t think anyone expected her to regress all the way back to the numbers she put up in her freshman season. I won’t project a return to a 1.736 OPS, but I believe she’s capable of hitting 20 homers again in 2009. Despite the statistical decline, Denlinger was still one of the nation’s top power hitters in 2008 and expect her to be even better in her senior campaign.

4 – Sr – L – Ashley Fitzgerald – CA – (.427-16-59)
Fitzgerald will enter her senior season as arguably the most feared hitter in the PSAC. The senior slugger led the KU offense in 2008, pacing the team in batting average (.427), homers (16-tie), RBIs (59), total bases (150), and slugging (.811). Fitzgerald, who now has 35 career homers and 164 career RBIs, will remain the cleanup hitter in 2008, assuming Coach Lawes doesn’t move her up a spot in the order to get her a few more at-bats. Fitzgerald saw a majority of her time in the field at catcher, but also saw time at shortstop, right field, and designated player. Her versatility makes her an invaluable resource, but, with Hague out of the picture, expect her to man catcher for all of KU’s important games in 2009.

5 – Sr – L – Krista Cameron – 3B – (.318-5-37)
It’s been a one-woman show at third base for KU the last three seasons and it will be hard to imagine anyone besides Cameron at the hot corner after next season. Since her arrival in 2006, the senior has started all 174 of Kutztown’s games at third base, including 62 this past season. She could give way to the freshman McGinty for a few at-bats or spot starts in 2009, but Cameron will be the everyday starter in her final season. Cameron was another Golden Bear who saw her numbers decline in 2008 and it was most noticeable in the power department. She hit just .318 after batting .364 over her first two seasons. Cameron also saw a dip in homers (16-5), RBIs (66-37), runs (47-29), slugging (.724-.472), and on-base percentage (.398-.342).

As you can see, it was a significant offensive decline for Cameron and she will need to return to her 2007 form next season. She is counted on to protect Denlinger and Fitzgerald and it will be hard to do that without the threat of a homerun. She still had a stellar 2008 campaign, but there is room for improvement in her senior season.

6 – So – R – Krista Tedjeske – SS – (.248-2-21)
Tedjeske bounced between the six and eight spot in the order throughout the second half of the 2008 season and will likely be part of a similar rotation in 2009. Tedjeske was the everyday shortstop for KU and, despite a team-high 11 errors, showed some flashes of greatness with the glove in her freshman season. She is likely to return to the everyday role at shortstop, but needs to improve her .635 OPS if she wants to remain the six hitter. Her 21 RBIs were tied for fourth best on the team, but many of them came earlier in the season. If she can get it together offensively, expect her to remain in the six spot, but with some big freshman bats and Reifsnyder fighting for at-bats, the leash is unlikely to be very long.

7 – Fr – R – Heather Hannum – DP – (N/A)
I’ve never seen Hannum swing a bat, but from what I’ve read, you can probably already pencil her into the designated player slot. As mentioned earlier in this article (See New Faces in 2009), Hannum can crush the ball and will replace Denlinger at first base in 2010. Since she would need an injury or some kind of massive slump by Denlinger to see time in her place this season, expect Hannum to see much of her at-bats from the designated player slot.

8 – So – R – Maggie Reifsnyder – RF – (.239-4-10)
Reifsnyder started the 2008 season in a platoon in right field, took over as the full-time starter when Sam Flowers was removed from the team, and ended it in a platoon with fellow sophomore-to-be Angela Domenici. Heading into the offseason with one starter from 2008 already gone (Gregg), Reifsnyder is the favorite to start in right field in 2009. However, she will almost certainly feel pressure from whoever does not get a starting job, may it be Laura Kelley, Nikki Hannum, Natalie Chamerlain, or Domenici.

Reifsnyder hit a hot streak in the middle of 2008, but struggled late in the season before injuring herself against Lock Haven late in the year. Her OPS of .706 was not great, but she did manage four homers, which was fifth best on the team. Reifsnyder had just 10 RBIs despite seeing plenty of at-bats in the six spot, a number which must improve in 2009.

9 – Fr – R – Laura Kelley – CF – (N/A)
It’s hard for me to speculate here as I’ve never seen the freshmen in action, but based on what I’ve read, it seems like Kelley has a great shot to fill in where Kathy Gregg left off as both the centerfielder and nine hitter. Nicole Hannum, Natalie Chamberlain, or Angela Domenici could also get the nod here, depending on who is best suited for the role. As mentioned earlier (See New Faces in 2009), Kelley could potentially be a very good power hitting outfielder. If she can hit near .300 and match the six homers hit by Gregg this past season, she will likely see plenty of time in the starting lineup.

Key Reserves
My projected starting lineup is obviously not set in stone, so here is a look at a few other players who could see action, might it be a minimal or significant amount, in 2009.

Class—Bats—Player—Position—(2008 Stats)

Fr – S – Nicole Hannum – OF – (N/A)
Hannum was redshirted last season, but will compete for a shot to play everyday in the outfield. The switch hitter could also see time at designated player, battling for time there with her younger sister Heather. I don’t know too much about the older Hannum, since she didn’t play last year, but I have to imagine she was redshirted so she can see significant playing time during the next four seasons.

Fr - R - Natalie Chamberlain - OF - (N/A)
Chamberlain was redshirted due to a back injury in 2008, but will compete for playing time in the outfield in 2009. I don't know too much about her, but apparently she will be one of the fastest players on the team and has a decent throwing arm. If she can put the ball in play, Chamberlain could be a candidate to bat out of the nine spot for Coach Lawes.

So – R – Angela Domenici – OF – (.188-0-3)
Domenici saw limited action in 2008 with a significant amount of her at-bats coming late in the season when Reifsnyder was injured. She was just 6-of-32 at the plate, failed to draw a walk, and had just one extra base hit. It should be noted that a majority of those at-bats came late in the season, including during the playoffs, against tough pitching. She will contend for playing time in center and right field.

Fr – S – Nicole Colineri – MIF – (N/A)
(See New Faces in 2009)

Fr – N/A – Michelle McGinty – 3B – (N/A)
(See New Faces in 2009)

Jr – R – Tami Wambold – DP – (.154-0-2)
Wambold is likely to continue as a spot starter and pinch hitter in 2009. This past season, she hit just .154 in 26 at-bats and failed to record an extra base hit.

Jr – R – Emily Fazekas – IF – (.154-0-1)
Fazekas was primarily called upon as a pinch hitter in 2008, seeing only five starts and 13 at-bats during the 62 game season. She could see a few spot starts again next season, but will again see considerable time as a pinch runner.

So – R – Alex Najpauer – IF – (.182-0-4)
Like Fazekas, Najpauer was used strictly as a pinch runner last season. She batted .182 in just 22 at-bats, but did appear in 32 games for KU. She will likely be the number-two pinch running option behind Fazekas again in 2009.

Jr – L – Laine Heisler – CA – (.150-0-1)
Heisler has seen little action during her first two seasons at KU, but with Hague graduated and no other catchers besides Fitzgerald currently on the roster, Heisler could end up as the backup catcher, which would bring on a decent amount of playing time. Heisler had just 20 at-bats in six 2008 starts, putting up a less than impressive .340 OPS.

Other Reserves: Anne Arbogast, Joanna Spangler – Unlikely to see significant action in 2009.

Pitching Staff
The Golden Bears will return every member of their young pitching staff next season.

Rotation Spot—Class—Throws—Player—(2008 Stats)

1 – Junior – R – Katlin Arbogast – (26-7 1.41)
After being forced to carry a majority of the pitching load as a freshman in 2007, Arbogast was awarded with some relief in Mary Hoch and Monica Glomb in 2008. The 2007 PSAC East Pitcher of the Year responded with a better season in almost every area, but fell just short of winning the 2008 POY award to Bloomsburg’s Ashley Lynn. Arbogast improved her ERA from 1.82 to 1.41, her WHIP from 1.15 to 0.95, her opponent batting average from .205 to .183, and her strikeouts per 7 innings from 8.1 to 8.6. She walked 33 less hitters, allowed 50 less hits, and improved her record from 27-9 in 2007 to 26-7 in 2008. Arbogast will be one of the top pitchers in the PSAC during the next two seasons and is the early favorite to take home the 2009 PSAC East Pitcher of the Year award.

2 – Sophomore – R – Monica Glomb – (10-6 2.15)
Glomb’s ability to pitch effectively for over 100 innings in 2008 was a welcome surprise for everyone, especially Kaitlin Arbogast, who needed a break after tossing a school-record 249.1 innings in 2007. Now a sophomore, Glomb has a solid year of experience under her belt and will look to improve to the next level in 2009, which would mean minimizing the already small dropoff when Arbogast is out of the game. Glomb’s ERA may look a bit high, but it took a huge hit late in the season due to a few bad outings. She should be even better next season, which would make her one of the East’s top pitchers.

3 – Sophomore – R – Mary Hoch – (9-1 1.68)
Just looking at the numbers from last season, Hoch appears to have done a better job than Glomb, but Coach Lawes turned to Glomb more often, allowing her 30 more innings of work. That did not stop Hoch from having an outstanding season, notching a 9-1 record and an impressive 1.68 ERA. Both freshmen pitchers jumped to outstanding starts last season, but both went on to struggle late. If Hoch outpitches Glomb early in 2009, she in turn is likely to get more work. The biggest concern about Hoch is her lack of an ability to strike out opponents, managing just 47 in 70.2 innings (4.7 K/7).

4 – Sophomore – R – Lauren Doering – (2-0 1.98)
Coach Lawes called on Doering just six times in 2008, but the Canadian rookie did her job in 17.2 innings of work. Her ERA is probably a bit deceiving as her performance wasn’t quite as good as it indicates due to seven unearned runs. Her WHIP of 1.70 is way too high, but she did average more than a strikeout an inning. She will, at best, return as the fourth option again in 2009.

Other Pitching Reserves: Maggie Reifsnyder, Heather Hannum – Unlikely to see significant action in 2009.

So, there you have it. If you have any other inquiries on the 2009 team, please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond as soon as I gather the information. Keep in mind that this was written based completely on the information I have at the present time and is likely to change based on the happenings of the current offseason.

UPDATES:
5/29/08 - More info added about Michelle McGinty
5/30/08 - Added Natalie Chamberlain info