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

Softball falls, now faces elimination

The KU softball team fell 3-1 to Bloomsburg in a winner's bracket game on Thursday and will now face elimination the rest of the tournament. The Golden Bears move on to face West Chester Saturday at 11:30. KU's lone run came via an Ashley Fitzgerald solo homerun.

If the Golden Bears beat West Chester, they advance to a 4:30 meeting with the winner of Saturday's first game between California and Shippensburg. If KU loses either of those games, the 2008 season will come to a close.

As always, you can listen to both of Saturday's games live on the Golden Bear Network. Be sure to check back for schedule changes as inclement weather is in the forecast.

Softball set for Regional Playoffs

What: NCAA Division II Mid-Atlantic Regional softball tournament
When: Wednesday, May 7, 2008 – Saturday, May 10, 2008
Where: North Campus Field on the campus of Kutztown University

Tournament Info
The KU softball team will head into the 2008 Regional Playoffs as one of the favorites to advance to Nationals. The Golden Bears finished the regular season with a 44-10 overall record and won the PSAC East crown with an impressive 21-3 mark. KU finished third in this past weekend’s PSAC playoffs and will be the third seed out of eight participating universities in the double elimination Regional tournament.

The Golden Bears opening game will be against sixth-seeded Shippensburg at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Their second game will be on Thursday at 11:30 a.m., if they lose their first game, or at 4:30 p.m., if they win.

The other teams competing for the title will include PSAC champ Lock Haven (1^st seed), Bloomsburg (2), California (4), West Chester (5), Slippery Rock (7), and CIAA champ Bowie State (8).

The Golden Bears were a combined 10-6 against the seven other playoff teams. This included 0-3 vs. Lock Haven, 2-3 vs. Bloomsburg, 4-0 vs. Shippensburg, and 4-0 against West Chester. They did not play California, Slippery Rock, or Bowie State in 2008.

Of the eight playoff teams, three are ranked nationally. Lock Haven is second, Bloomsburg is eighth, and KU is 16^th.

The Golden Bears did not fare well in the PSAC Playoffs. KU scored three runs in the first inning of its first game (a 3-0 win against ESU), but failed to score another run the rest of the tournament. Lock Haven beat them 5-0 and Bloomsburg eliminated them 2-0 in nine innings. That’s a scoreless drought of 21 innings.

Last season, KU was one strike away from winning the PSAC title before the eventual Division II Lock Haven Lady Eagles came back and stole the championship. After defeating ESU 6-1 in their first game of the tournament, the Golden Bears knocked off LHU 3-0 to position themselves one win away from the title. In their next game, KU led 5-2 with Lock Haven down to their last strike, but the Lady Eagles rallied and eventually won in 15 innings. The LHU win forced a grudge match for the PSAC title, which the Lady Eagles won 5-2.

The Golden Bears then participated in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals, which, like the PSACs, were held at North Campus Field. KU was without an ill Katlin Arbogast for a majority of the tournament and it showed on the scoreboard. The Golden Bears lost 2-0 to Edinboro in their first game before pummeling NC Central 21-0 in their second game. They were eliminated the next day when ESU beat them 11-10.

Probable Starting Lineup
1. 2B – Kim Morrison (.292-3-16)
The junior leadoff hitter toned down on the power this season, instead embracing her new role as a table setter for the meat of the order. She slumped at points during the regular season, but has hit well as of late, bringing her average back up to .292. Her .343 on-base percentage is not where it should be for a leadoff hitter, but she has shown improvement in her first season batting high in the order. She has stolen 8 bases in 9 attempts.

2. LF – Maria Schiavo (.318-0-17)
Schiavo is one of the nation’s best in the sacrifice hit category and has been an exceptional two-hitter since her arrival at KU one season ago. Her .318 batting average is fourth best on the team, but she is relied on primarily for her ability to lay down good bunts. Her average of 0.39 sacrifice hits per game ranks her 11^th in division II.

3. 1B – Steph Denlinger (.354-16-55)
Denlinger is one of the most feared hitters in division II softball and likely will receive multiple free passes in the playoffs. The junior lefty leads the team with 16 homers and is tied with Fitzgerald for the RBI lead with 55. She is 19^th in DII in homers per game, 17^th in walks per game, and 32^nd in slugging percentage. When she gets a chance to hit, there is a good chance it will be a homer. However, don’t be surprised if she is intentionally walked on several occasions. Fortunately for her, she has excellent protection in Fitzgerald, which forces opponents to pitch to her.

4. CA/SS – Ashley Fitzgerald (.435-15-55)
The junior cleanup hitter will be the primary catcher, but could see some work at shortstop. Her .435 batting average is tops in the PSAC and 24^th best in DII. She is also 8^th in DII in doubles per game (0.43), and 10^th in slugging percentage (.863). Her team-leading 1.335 OPS is off the charts and really shows how dominant of a hitter she is. Teams will look to walk Denlinger, but it won’t be any easier with Fitzgerald at the plate.

5. 3B – Krista Cameron (.322-5-35)
Cameron might be one to watch in this tournament. The team’s six hitter had five hits in the PSAC tournament last year, homered twice, and had at least one run scored and one RBI in each of the team’s four games. Her home run total has taken quite a dip this season, but she has had yet another solid season as the team’s third baseman and five hitter.

6. DP/CA – Caitlin Hague (.283-1-12)
Hague, one of two seniors on the roster, will likely bat sixth, but has been in rotation with Tedjeske and Reifsnyder all season long. She will be the primary designated player and could catch a game or two. Her .283 batting average is just seventh among the team’s starting nine, but she is a solid hitter with invaluable playoff experience and one of only a few Golden Bears who improved their batting average during PSACs.

7. SS – Krista Tedjeske (.257-2-21)
The freshman shortstop has done a respectable job in 50 starts in her rookie season. Her .257 average is lowest among the starting nine, but she’s done a nice job providing runs with 21 RBIs, which ties her for fourth best on the team, and two homers. She will be looking to improve on making contact as she leads the team with 33 strikeouts.

8. RF – Maggie Reifsnyder (.268-4-10)
Reifsnyder missed KU’s last five games of the regular season and was not at 100 percent during PSACs due to an injury she suffered against Lock Haven last Tuesday. She started the last game of the PSAC tournament, but could split time with Angela Domenici again in Regionals. Reifsnyder is hitting a respectable .268 and has four homers, which is fifth highest on the team despite not playing full time until midway through the season.

9. CF – Kathy Gregg (.303-6-21)
Gregg, one of two seniors on the roster, is one of the team’s best hitters, but is slotted in the nine hole in order to get on base for the top of the order. Her six homers are third best on the team and is one of five Golden Bears above the .300 batting average mark. Her 21 RBIs tie her for fourth on the team and she has a team-high nine steals in nine attempts. Her 29 strikeouts (second worst on the team) are a bit troublesome, but she did not strike out in PSACs.

Key Reserves
OF Angela Domenici (.200-0-3)
While Reifsnyder was out, Domenici filled in the right field spot. The freshman is the top reserve in the outfield, but has just 30 at-bats this season.

DP Tami Wambold (.154-0-2)
Wambold could be used as the designated player, but, if anything, is more likely to see a pinch hit appearance or two. She doesn’t provide much in the contact department, but when she does get a hold of a pitch, there’s a good chance it’ll go a long way.

PR Emily Fazekas (.154-0-1)
Fazekas is the team’s top pinch runner and is likely to have opportunities to score big runs for KU in this tournament.

PR Alex Najpauer (.182-0-4)
Najpauer is another player coach Judy Lawes will go to if she needs a pinch runner.

Probable Pitching Rotation
1. Kait Arbogast (23-7 1.49)
Arbogast is one of the top pitchers in the PSAC and has already rewritten most of the KU pitching record book as a sophomore. She is 14^th in DII in strikeouts per seven innings (9.4), 24^th in wins (23), 22^nd in saves (3), and 24^th in hits allowed per seven innings (4.58). She is the team’s ace and will likely pitch a majority of the team’s innings in the tournament, much like she did in PSACs.

2. Monica Glomb (10-5 2.11)
A freshman, Glomb has started 14 games for KU this season. She pitched well most of the season, but was lit up by Lock Haven last Tuesday, which could cause concerns if she is called on against tough teams in the playoffs. Regardless of that bad outing, she has shown she is an effective pitcher and should be okay if she gets the nod.

3. Mary Hoch (9-0 1.61)
Hoch is another freshman who has done an outstanding job in the pitching department this season. She has yet to lose in 20 appearances (10 starts), but also got banged around a bit by LHU. Hoch will likely see some work in the tournament and it will be interesting to see how she holds up against the conference’s top teams.

Outlook
The Golden Bears will be one of the favorites in the tournament and they have arguably the best offense of the eight teams. Unfortunately for them, Lock Haven’s Kristin Erb seems to have their number and they will need to find a way to overcome the Lady Eagles if they have any plans of competing at the national level. Lock Haven won the national championship in 2006 and was the runner-up in 2007. If KU can get some momentum and knock them off, there is no telling how far they can go. The Golden Bears have also lost three straight to second-seeded Bloomsburg, who also has a stellar pitching option in Ashley Lynn.

If there is a point in the season to play your best, now is that time. The Golden Bears have been close to getting the chance to play at the national level for a while now and time is running out for some of the team’s top players.

What the tournament is going to come down to for KU is the offense. The Golden Bears need to find ways to plate runs against the likes of Erb and Lynn or they won’t have a chance. Arbogast is a stellar pitcher and can keep KU close, meaning 3-5 runs of support is likely all she would need. The Golden Bears are probably the most dangerous team offensively and there is no doubt that they can pound Kristin Erb if they get some momentum.

If the offense breaks out in this tournament, there is no telling what kind of damage KU can do. If not, it’s going to be another disappointing end to an outstanding season.

~Note: This preview is basically an updated version of last week’s PSAC playoffs preview~

Ladies set to compete for PSAC title

What: PSAC Softball Playoffs
When: Thursday, May 1, 2008 – Saturday, May 3, 2008
Where: Lawrence Field on the campus of Lock Haven University

Tournament Info
The KU softball team will head into the 2008 PSAC Playoffs as a favorite to bring home the conference title. The Golden Bears finished the regular season with a 44-10 overall record and won the PSAC East crown with an impressive 21-3 mark. KU will be the top seed in the East and one of six teams competing in the double elimination tournament.

The Golden Bears opening game will be at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday. They will face the winner of the tournament’s first game, a 10 a.m. contest between California (Pa.) (2^nd –West) and East Stroudsburg (3^rd – East). Their second game will be on Friday at either noon or 2:30 p.m. depending upon what happens on Thursday.

The other teams competing for the title include Bloomsburg (2^nd – East), Indiana (Pa.) (3^rd – West), and Lock Haven (1^st – West). BU and IUP will face off at noon on Thursday with the winner taking on LHU at 4:30.

The Golden Bears were a combined 7-5 against the five opposing playoff teams. This included 0-2 vs. Lock Haven, 2-2 vs. Bloomsburg, 3-1 vs. ESU, and 2-0 against IUP. They did not play California in 2008.

Of the six playoff teams, three are ranked nationally. Lock Haven is second, Bloomsburg is eighth, and KU is 16^th.

Last season, KU was one strike away from winning the PSAC title before the eventual Division II Lock Haven Lady Eagles came back and stole the championship. After defeating ESU 6-1 in their first game of the tournament, the Golden Bears knocked off LHU 3-0 to position themselves one win away from the title. In their next game, KU led 5-2 with Lock Haven down to their last strike, but the Lady Eagles rallied and eventually won in 15 innings. The LHU win forced a grudge match for the PSAC title, which the Lady Eagles won 5-2.

The Golden Bears then participated in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals, which, like the PSACs, were held at North Campus Field. KU was without an ill Katlin Arbogast for a majority of the tournament and it showed on the scoreboard. The Golden Bears lost 2-0 to Edinboro in their first game before pummeling NC Central 21-0 in their second game. They were eliminated the next day when ESU beat them 11-10.

Probable Starting Lineup
1. 2B – Kim Morrison (.290-3-16)
The junior leadoff hitter toned down on the power this season, instead embracing her new role as a table setter for the meat of the order. She slumped at points during the regular season, but has hit well as of late, bringing her average back up to .290. Her .344 on-base percentage is not where it should be for a leadoff hitter, but she has shown improvement in her first season batting high in the order. She has stolen 7 bases in 8 attempts.

2. LF – Maria Schiavo (.320-0-17)
Schiavo is one of the nation’s best in the sacrifice hit category and has been an exceptional two-hitter since her arrival at KU one season ago. Her .320 batting average is fourth best on the team, but she is relied on primarily for her ability to lay down good bunts. Her average of 0.39 sacrifice hits per game ranks her 11^th in division II.

3. 1B – Steph Denlinger (.362-15-53)
Denlinger is one of the most feared hitters in division II softball and likely will receive multiple free passes in the playoffs. The junior lefty leads the team with 15 homers and is second with 53 RBIs. She is 19^th in DII in homers per game, 17^th in walks per game, and 32^nd in slugging percentage. When she gets a chance to hit, there is a good chance it will be a homer. However, don’t be surprised if she is intentionally walked on several occasions. Fortunately for her, she has excellent protection in Fitzgerald, which forces opponents to pitch to her.

4. CA/SS – Ashley Fitzgerald (.456-14-54)
The junior cleanup hitter will be the primary catcher, but could see some work at shortstop. Her .456 batting average is tops in the PSAC and 24^th best in DII. She is also 8^th in DII in doubles per game (0.43), and 10^th in slugging percentage (.863). Her team-leading 1.385 OPS is off the charts and really shows how dominant of a hitter she is. Teams will look to walk Denlinger, but it won’t be any easier with Fitzgerald at the plate.

5. 3B – Krista Cameron (.341-5-35)
Cameron might be one to watch in this tournament. The team’s six hitter had five hits in the PSAC tournament last year, homered twice, and had at least one run scored and one RBI in each of the team’s four games. Her home run total has taken quite a dip this season, but she has had yet another solid season as the team’s third baseman and five hitter.

6. DP/CA – Caitlin Hague (.272-1-12)
Hague, one of two seniors on the roster, will likely bat sixth, but has been in rotation with Tedjeske and Reifsnyder all season long. She will be the primary designated player and could catch a game or two. Her .272 batting average is just eighth among the team’s starting nine, but she is a solid hitter with invaluable playoff experience.

7. SS – Krista Tedjeske (.258-2-21)
The freshman shortstop has done a respectable job in 47 starts in her rookie season. Her .258 average is lowest among the starting nine, but she’s done a nice job providing runs with 21 RBIs, which ties her for fourth best on the team, and two homers. She will be looking to improve on making contact as she leads the team with 31 strikeouts.

8. RF – Maggie Reifsnyder (.278-4-10)
Reifsnyder has missed KU’s last five games due to an injury she suffered against Lock Haven last Tuesday, but is expected to be at 100 percent come Thursday. The freshman is hitting a respectable .278 and has four homers, which is fifth highest on the team despite not playing full time until midway through the season.

9. CF – Kathy Gregg (.312-6-21)
Gregg, one of two seniors on the roster, is one of the team’s best hitters, but is slotted in the nine hole in order to get on base for the top of the order. Her six homers are third best on the team and is one of five Golden Bears above the .300 batting average mark. Her 21 RBIs tie her for fourth on the team and she has a team-high nine steals in nine attempts. Her 29 strikeouts (second worst on the team) are a bit troublesome.

Key Reserves
OF Angela Domenici (.222-0-3)
While Reifsnyder was out, Domenici filled in the right field spot. The freshman is the top reserve in the outfield, but has just 27 at-bats this season.

DP Tami Wambold (.160-0-2)
Wambold could be used as the designated player, but if anything, is more likely to see a pinch hit appearance or two. She doesn’t provide much in the contact department, but when she does get a hold of a pitch, there’s a good chance it’ll go a long way.

PR Emily Fazekas (.154-0-1)
Fazekas is the team’s top pinch runner and is likely to have opportunities to score big runs for KU in this tournament.

PR Alex Najpauer (.182-0-4)
Najpauer is another player coach Judy Lawes will go to if she needs a pinch runner.

Probable Pitching Rotation
1. Kait Arbogast (22-6 1.47)
Arbogast is one of the top pitchers in the PSAC and has already rewritten most of the KU pitching record book as a sophomore. She is 14^th in DII in strikeouts per seven innings (9.4), 24^th in wins (22), 22^nd in saves (3), and 24^th in hits allowed per seven innings (4.58). She is the team’s ace and will likely pitch a majority of the team’s innings in the playoffs.

2. Monica Glomb (10-4 2.02)
A freshman, Glomb has started 14 games for KU this season. She pitched well most of the season, but was lit up by Lock Haven last Tuesday, which could cause concerns if she is called on against tough teams in the playoffs. Regardless of that bad outing, she has shown she is an effective pitcher and should be okay if she gets the nod.

3. Mary Hoch (9-0 1.61)
Hoch is another freshman who has done an outstanding job in the pitching department this season. She has yet to lose in 20 appearances (10 starts), but also got banged around a bit by LHU. Hoch will likely see some work in the tournament and it will be interesting to see how she holds up against the conference’s top teams.

Outlook
The Golden Bears will be one of the favorites in the tournament and they have arguably the best offense of the six teams. Unfortunately for them, Lock Haven seems to have their number and they will need to find a way to overcome the Lady Eagles if they have any plans of competing at the national level. Lock Haven won the national championship in 2006 and was the runner-up in 2007. If KU can get some momentum and knock them off, there is no telling how far they can go.

One thing to remember about this tournament is that it is really just a tune up for the Regional Tournament. Five teams from the PSAC will likely be invited to the tournament, which is likely to be hosted by Kutztown. Technically, it doesn’t matter how KU fares in PSACs, since they will need to win the regional tournament to get to Nationals. With that said, the PSACs are an excellent opportunity for them to get the monkey of their back and prove to themselves that they can beat Lock Haven.

If Katlin Arbogast is on her game and the offense is as good as advertised, KU will be a contender for the PSAC title right down to the finish.

Ladies eye PSAC East crown

What: Kutztown Golden Bears @ Shippensburg Red Raiders
When: Friday, April 25, 2008 @ 2:30 p.m. (Doubleheader)
Where: Robb Field on the campus of Shippensburg University
~and~
What: Kutztown Golden Bears @ West Chester Golden Rams
When: Saturday, April 26, 2008 @ 1 p.m. (Doubleheader)
Where: West Chester Softball Field on the campus of West Chester University

Game Info
The KU softball team will head into this weekend’s road trip looking to seal up the PSAC East division title. The Golden Bears have already clinched a playoff spot and lead second-place Bloomsburg by two games with just two doubleheaders left to play. KU will head to Shippensburg for two games on Friday afternoon, before heading back east to West Chester for another doubleheader on Saturday.

KU (17-3) needs to win at least two of those games to clinch at least a share of the PSAC East regular season division title. Bloomsburg (15-5) has also clinched a spot in the postseason and will be looking to dethrone KU atop the division. With two of the three playoff spots in the east accounted for, the race will be on for the final spot. Conveniently, KU will be playing two of the major contenders for that spot. West Chester (10-10) currently holds the third seed, but they are being followed closely by Shippensburg (9-11) and East Stroudsburg (9-13). Mansfield (6-14) and Millersville (6-16) have been eliminated.

The Golden Bears are 40-10 overall this season and are ranked 19^th in Division II. They are coming off Tuesday’s home doubleheader with Lock Haven in which they fell by scores of 2-1 and 16-0. KU’s latest division action was a doubleheader sweep of East Stroudsburg on Saturday by scores of 10-1 and 6-2.

Shippensburg enters this weekend’s games after dropping two straight at West Chester on Tuesday by scores of 7-6 and 2-1. The Lady Raiders are 26-22 overall this season, but have dropped four straight games and 11 of their last 16. These teams met at North Campus Field back on April 7 with KU taking both games of the doubleheader by scores of 6-5 and 2-0.

West Chester, as mentioned, knocked off Shippensburg on Saturday to overtake them in the race for the final playoff spot in the PSAC East. The Golden Rams are 31-16 overall this season and have won seven of their last 10. On April 11, KU swept the Golden Rams at North Campus Field by scores of 4-0 and 4-2.

Probable Starting Lineups
Kutztown:
1. Kim Morrison – 2B
2. Maria Schiavo – LF
3. Steph Denlinger – 1B
4. Ashley Fitzgerald – CA/SS
5. Krista Cameron – 3B
6. Caitlin Hague – CA/DH
7. Krista Tedjeske – SS
8. Maggie Reifsnyder – RF
9. Kathy Gregg – CF
SPs: Kait Arbogast & Monica Glomb/Mary Hoch

Shippensburg:
1. Liz Good – RF
2. Sarah Stengle – LF/DH
3. Hope Cornell – SS
4. Lori Knopf – DH/1B
5. Lisamarie Ramagli – 1B/CA
6. Moira Johnson – 3B
7. Amanda Bardo – 2B
8. Jillian Mullan/Chelsea Carson – OF
9. Rachel Wedell – CA/3B
SPs: Lori Knopf & Danielle Shields

West Chester:
1. Tara Colantuono – CF
2. Stefani Kerbacher – RF
3. Jamie McComb – DH
4. Megan Harbaugh – 1B
5. Erin MacNamee – LF
6. Meghan Halberstadt – 3B
7. Alisha DiMarzio – CA
8. Kelsey Rapp/Jackie DiPaola – 2B
9. Kristin McCoy – SS
SPs: Ashley Saussaman & Shannon Padula

Scouting Report
The Golden Bears will look to the pitching trifecta of Kait Arbogast (18-6 1.66), Monica Glomb (10-4 2.02), and Mary Hoch (9-0 1.66) to keep them in games, while counting on the high-octane offense to power them to victories. Steph Denlinger (.366-12-46), Ashley Fitzgerald (.448-14-49), and Krista Cameron (.327-5-32) can all hit the ball out of the park at any given moment and they will need to provide that power this weekend. Kim Morrison (.259-3-16) struggled at the plate earlier this season, but has been better as of late and will continue to lead off. Maria Schiavo (.299-0-14) has seen her batting average dip as of late, but is an excellent sacrifice bunter and another threat to set the table with a big hit at any time. Krista Tedjeske (.237-2-16), Caitlin Hague (.292-1-12), and Maggie Reifsnyder (.278-4-10) have been taking turns hitting in the six through eight spots in the order and that trend will continue until one of the players hits on a consistent basis. Right now, the senior Hague has been the hot hitter and will likely stay in the six spot for now. Kathy Gregg (.306-6-21) could easily hit neat the top of the KU order and will provide a lot of offense out of the nine hole.

The Raiders are likely to turn to the pitching duo of Danielle Shields and Lori Knopf, who will each likely get a start on Friday. Shields (12-7 1.92) leads the pitching staff with 101 strikeouts and is allowing opposing hitters to bat just .216 against her. Knopf (8-7 2.46) has struck out 79 and opponents are batting .227 against her. Both are respectable pitchers, but neither has pitched well over the past few weeks.

Knopf (.371-4-32) also does it as the plate, leading the team in batting average and doubles (13). Hope Cornell (.345-7-36) leads the team in homers, RBIs, and runs (31). Courtney Steele (.323-6-19), Chelsea Carson (.277-0-5), Sarah Stengl (.265-0-18), Jillian Mullan (.265-0-6), and Rachelle Wedell (.262-0-11) are among the other regulars hitting above the .250 mark.

West Chester’s ace is that of Shannon Padula (23-8 1.95), who will see action in at least one of Saturday’s games. She has pitched 190 innings this season for WCU, 130 more than runner-up Ashley Saussaman (4-3 1.40). Brittany Rees (2-1 2.78) and Megan Graham (2-4 5.54) are other pitching options for the Golden Rams.

Megan Harbaugh (.417-7-37) is the team’s top hitter, leading the Rams in batting average, homers, and RBIs. Stefani Kerbacher (.340-0-9) leads the team with 41 runs scored and with 15 steals. Other top-hitting Golden Rams include Erin MacNamee (.392-1-28), Meghan Halberstad (.323-0-13), Tara Colantuono (.313-2-24), Jamie McComb (.310-0-33), and Katie Kmiencinski (.303-1-16).

Outlook
If Saturday evening rolls around and KU is not the PSAC East regular season champion, it will be a big disappointment. The Golden Bears dominated divisional play for the most part and a collapse this weekend would be heartbreaking. Normally, there would be no reason for concern, but it will be interesting to see how the ladies bounce back from losses in four of their last six games, including a 2-1 heartbreaker to Lock Haven and a 16-0 shellacking at the hands of LHU.

If the Golden Bears struggle again this weekend against two quality teams, they will have a tough time contending with anyone in the playoffs. It’s not very often that a team in any league at any level can back into the playoffs and contend. KU can take last week’s struggles and learn from them. They breezed through much of the season, but now they are getting a taste of what level they need to be at if they hope to compete at the regional, and maybe even, the national level.

We know the Golden Bears have the talent to win all four games this weekend, but with Shippensburg and West Chester battling it out for the last playoff spot, every game will count for them. They will be pulling out all the stops in order to squeeze a win out of KU. The ladies need to realize this and treat these games like a playoff tune up. A few big games this weekend in a playoff environment will do wonders come the playoffs in early May.

Senior Day Photos

Here are four photos taken by Tony Vazquez on Tuesday during the Senior Day festivities at North Campus Field.
(From top to bottom)
1. 2008 Team Photo
2. The Canadians. (L to R: Fitzgerald, Morrison, Cameron, Doering)
3. Senior DP/CA Caitlin Hague
4. Senior CF Kathy Gregg

#10 Kutztown set to host #2 Lock Haven

What: Lock Haven Bald Eagles @ Kutztown Golden Bears
When: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 @ 2:30 p.m. (Doubleheader)
Where: North Campus Field on the campus of Kutztown University
Radio: Golden Bear Network at 2:20 p.m. (Mike Clay, Joe Balco)

Game Info
As most of you avid readers know, I normally only write up previews for the PSAC East games. This doubleheader, however, is an exception, as it deserves loads of attention.

The 10^th-ranked Kutztown University softball team will play host to the 2^nd-ranked Lock Haven Lady Eagles on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. The Golden Bears enter the game at 40-8 overall in 2008, while The Lady Eagles are 34-6.

The teams have not met in the regular season since 2005, with the scheduled meetings in 2006 and 2007 being cancelled due to inclement weather. They did, however, meet during the postseason of each of the last four seasons.

In 2004 (another season in which their regular season meeting was cancelled due to rain), KU eliminated the Lady Eagles from the PSAC playoffs with a 9-6 victory. In 2005, Lock Haven returned the favor with an 8-0 shellacking, which eliminated KU from the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals. In 2006, the Lady Eagles came up victorious by a score of 5-1 in a non-elimination game in the PSAC playoffs. LHU went on to win the Division II National Championship.

The teams met three times during the PSAC playoffs last season, including an epic 15 inning Lock Haven comeback win. In the first meeting, KU won 3-0, which meant a win in the teams’ second meeting would earn them the PSAC Championship. The Golden Bears led 5-2 with Lock Haven down to their last strike, but the Lady Eagles rallied and eventually won in 15 innings. The LHU win forced a grudge match for the PSAC title, which the Lady Eagles won 5-2. Lock Haven would go on to finish second in the nation.

The Golden Bears enter the game fresh off a doubleheader sweep at East Stroudsburg on Saturday. KU won game one 10-1 before taking game two by a score of 6-2. The Golden Bears have won 19 of their last 22 games and have already clinched a PSAC playoff berth. At 17-3 in the PSAC East, they lead the division by three games with four games left to play.

The Lady Eagles, meanwhile, are 15-1 in the PSAC West and have also clinched a spot in the PSAC playoffs. Their latest action was a doubleheader sweep of California (Pa.) on Saturday by scores of 4-1 and 3-0. LHU has won 22 of its last 23 games.

Probable Starting Lineups
Kutztown:
1. Kim Morrison – 2B
2. Maria Schiavo – LF
3. Steph Denlinger – 1B
4. Ashley Fitzgerald – CA/SS
5. Krista Cameron – 3B
6. Maggie Reifsnyder – RF
7. Caitlin Hague – CA/DH
8. Krista Tedjeske – SS
9. Kathy Gregg – CF
SPs: Kait Arbogast & Monica Glomb/Mary Hoch

Lock Haven:
1. Julia Popovich – LF
2. Sarah Norris – 3B
3. Kristin Erb – P/DH
4. Amanda Roosa – CA
5. Ilia Lopez – SS
6. Erica Eisenbise – RF
7. Devin Glezen – 2B
8. Amanda Gutmaker – DH
9. Nancy O’Connor – CF
SP: Kristin Erb

Scouting Report
The big matchup on Tuesday is going to be the powerful Kutztown offense against the All-American arm of Lock Haven’s Kristin Erb.

Erb, a junior from Reading, has already carried her team to a national title as a freshman and to a runner-up finish as a sophomore. This season she is 29-6 with an almost unbelievable 0.30 ERA, which is tops in division II. She has struck out 293 batters in 231.1 innings of work. Erb, the best pitcher in division II softball over the last three seasons, is the likely candidate to start both games for the Lady Eagles.

The Golden Bears will try to counter with their high-octane offense, which ranks as one of the most prolific offenses in division II. Ashley Fitzgerald (.457-14-49) has dominated in her junior season, leading KU in batting average, homers, and RBIs. Steph Denlinger (.377-12-46) has also been stellar and would likely have even better numbers if she wasn’t walked a team-high 38 times. Krista Cameron (.338-5-32) has flown under the radar a bit this season, but has quietly had another outstanding season. Kathy Gregg (.308-6-21) is another great player who doesn’t get a lot of the accolades in her role as the team’s nine hitter.

Kim Morrison (.255-3-16) and Maria Schiavo (.300-0-13) have both been inconsistent this year, but both are extremely talented and serve as excellent table setters at the top of the KU lineup. Caitlin Hague (.298-1-12) has done a good job in a part-time role as a designated player/catcher this season and will bat in the six or seven spot. Freshmen Maggie Reifsnyder (.289-4-10) and Krista Tedjeske (.237-2-16) will see plenty of work in the doubleheader. Reifsnyder will likely start both games in right field, while Tedjeske will probably start game one at shortstop.

The KU pitching staff will be overshadowed by Erb, but the young trio stacks up pretty well. Kait Arbogast (18-5 1.65) will start one of the games. A sophomore, Arbogast is the team’s ace with the other two pitchers who see significant action both in their freshman campaigns. Monica Glomb (10-3 1.69) and Mary Hoch (9-0 1.35) have very similar numbers so far in 2008 and both are likely to see some work on Tuesday.

It should also be pointed out that KU also ranks near the top 20 in the nation in both team ERA and in fielding percentage.

The Lock Haven offense will look to rattle the young KU pitching with a very formidable lineup. Sarah Norris (.392-12-34) will hit out of the two-spot and leads the team in batting average, runs (34), and homers. Amanda Roosa (.358-9-38) is second in batting average and homers and leads the team in RBIs. Erb (.348-3-24), the team’s three hitter, is not limited to just a pitching role, as she is stellar at the plate as well.

Julia Popovich (.269-0-6) is the leadoff hitter and is tied with Norris and Devin Glesen (.275-6-17) with a team-high eight steals. Erica Eisenbise (.294-5-28) and Ilia Lopez (.268-4-18) have both started all 40 of Lock Haven’s games. Amanda Gutmaker (.292-4-11) and Nancy O’Connor (.230-1-9) round out a well balanced lineup.

If Erb is not pitching, Popovich (5-0 1.34) would take the ball. She has started seven games this season and worked 41.2 effective innings.

There is no doubting that the Golden Bears have the tools to not only beat Lock Haven, but to sweep them. Kristin Erb is an unbelievable talent, but the Golden Bears proved last year that they could defeat her. If any team in the PSAC has a chance, it’s going to be KU. The Golden Bears have the offensive talent, a great batch of pitchers, and an outstanding fielding team. If they play their A-game on Tuesday, they certainly will contend for the win in both games. Come expecting a lot of excitement, but don’t expect to see too many runs on the board.

Ladies clinch playoff berth

Recap:
Friday, April 18 vs. Bloomsburg:
Game 1: L 2-5
Monica Glomb was lit up for five runs, four earned, on 10 hits in a complete game effort as KU fell 5-2 in game one. Steph Denlinger hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to cut the KU deficit to one run, but the Huskies answered with a two spot in the top of the seventh to put the game out of reach. Kathy Gregg was 2-for-3 at the plate.
Game 2: L 1-4
The Golden Bears left 10 runners stranded in a 4-1 game two loss, allowing the Huskies to complete the daily sweep. Maria Schiavo and Gregg each had two hits in the loss. Maggie Reifsnyder was 0-for-3 and stranded seven runs. Kait Arbogast took the loss for KU, allowing four runs on nine hits in seven innings.

Saturday, April 19 @ East Stroudsburg:
Game 1: W 10-1
The Golden Bears bounced back on Sunday with a 10-1 smoking of ESU in game one. KU put up 17 hits in the win, led by three-hit days by Maria Schiavo and Caitlin Hague. Steph Denlinger, Ashley Fitzgerald, Krista Cameron, and Maggie Reifsnyder each had two hits. Arbogast was the winning pitcher, tossing a complete game, four-hitter. She allowed just one unearned run and struck out nine.
Game 2: W 6-2
The Golden Bears put 10 more hits on the board in game two en route to a 6-2 win. Hague, Kathy Gregg, and Krista Tedjeske carried the offensive load with two hits a piece. Tedjeske scored twice and drove in two runs. Mary Hoch was the starting pitcher for KU but was replaced by Monica Glomb after 2.2 innings of work. Glomb was the winning pitcher, tossing a scoreless 4.1 innings, while allowing just two hits.

What we liked:
The Golden Bears bounced back nicely on Saturday after a big letdown on Friday afternoon. Besides the two losses to Bloomsburg on Friday, ESU was the only other PSAC East team that had beaten KU this season. Instead of coming out in a funk against a team that knew they had it in them to knock off a good team like KU, the Golden Bears came out swinging and dominated the Warriors. Caitlin Hague was 6-of-10 (.600) and Kathy Gregg was 7-of-12 (.583) over the weekend. Both drove in two runs and scored twice. Maria Schiavo had a decent weekend, going 5-for-13 (.385) at the dish. Ashley Fitzgerald was 4-for-11 (.364), while Steph Denlinger was 4-for-12 (.333) and drove in five runs. Kim Morrison scored five runs in the four games. Krista Tedjeske seems to have broken from her slump. She was 3-for-10 (.300) at the plate, scored twice, and drove in two.

What we didn’t like:
You won’t see these names in this section very often, but the pitching wasn’t on the top of its game this weekend. Ace Kait Arbogast was 1-1 with a 2.15 ERA in 13 innings of work. She allowed 13 hits in that span, but did strike out 15 hitters. Monica Glomb was also 1-1, but with a bit higher of an ERA at 2.52 in 11.1 innings. Mary Hoch threw just 2.2 innings in game two against ESU and allowed four earned runs on five hits. At the plate, Krista Cameron hit a speed bump, managing just a 3-for-15 (.200) weekend. Maggie Reifsnyder seems to have cooled off, as she was 3-of-13 at the plate, including 0-for-6 against BU. Overall, the offensive output looks good for the weekend, but KU left a lot of runners on base. This was most notable in game two against Bloomsburg on Friday, as KU certainly had several opportunities to take the lead and even run away with that game. The Golden Bears did not bring their A-game on Friday and one can only hope that their performance will serve as a wake up call for the rest of the season.

Impact:
The Golden Bears sweep of ESU on Saturday clinched them a spot in the PSAC playoffs. KU (17-3) also had a chance to clinch the PSAC East title this weekend and, although they still maintain a three-game lead in the division, Bloomsburg (13-5) is certainly not out of the running. The Huskies will likely hold on for one of the two remaining playoff spots, but the third is certainly up for grabs. Shippensburg (9-9) holds the spot right now, but West Chester (8-10), ESU (8-12), Mansfield (6-12), and Millersville (5-15) are not far behind. KU’s biggest doubleheader of the season will come on Tuesday when they play host to PSAC West contender Lock Haven. The Lady Eagles are ranked second in the nation and are 34-6 overall in 2008, including 15-1 in the West. The Golden Bears, meanwhile, enter the game 40-8 this season and are 10^th in the nation. Check back this afternoon for a full doubleheader preview.

Softball ready for rematch with Huskies

What: Bloomsburg Huskies @ Kutztown Golden Bears
When: Friday, April 18, 2008 @ 2:30 p.m. (Doubleheader)
Where: North Campus Field on the campus of Kutztown University
Radio: Golden Bear Network at 2:20 p.m. (Clay, Johnson, Kemps)

Game Info
The 10^th-ranked KU softball team can clinch at least a share of the PSAC East title on Friday afternoon when they play host to 19^th-ranked Bloomsburg.

The Golden Bears are 38-6 overall this season and 15-1 in the PSAC East. The Huskies (9-5) have allowed KU to pull away over the last few weeks, but still remain in second. Shippensburg (9-7) currently has a relatively tight hold on the third and final playoff spot, but West Chester (6-8), ESU (6-10), Millersville (5-11) and Mansfield (4-12) are still in the mix.

The Golden Bears enter the game fresh off Wednesday’s doubleheader sweep at Mansfield. KU won 8-0 and 6-0 to complete the season sweep of the Mounties.

The Huskies, meanwhile, are coming off a split with East Stroudsburg on Wednesday afternoon. Following a game one 2-1 loss, the Huskies rebounded with an 8-0 shellacking of the Warriors. With a 34-7 overall record this season, Bloomsburg comes into the game just percentage points behind the Golden Bears.

These two teams met at Bloomsburg back on April 6 with the Golden Bears sweeping the doubleheader by scores of 5-1 and 2-1.

Last season, KU won three of the four matchups between the teams. At North Campus Field, the Golden Bears fell 9-0 before winning 7-1. Later in the season, KU won 3-2 and 5-2 on the road.

Probable Starting Lineups
Kutztown:
1. Kim Morrison – 2B
2. Maria Schiavo – LF
3. Steph Denlinger – 1B
4. Ashley Fitzgerald – CA/SS
5. Krista Cameron – 3B
6. Maggie Reifsnyder – RF
7. Caitlin Hague – CA/DH
8. Krista Tedjeske – SS
9. Kathy Gregg – CF
SPs: Kait Arbogast & Monica Glomb/Mary Hoch

Bloomsburg:
1. Tara Reed – SS
2. Mandy Koch – 2B
3. Lacy Mauro – LF
4. Jenna Hampton – DH
5. Kayleen Sidisky – 3B
6. Nikki Shiko – CF
7. Casey Massimini – RF
8. Tiff Corliss – CA
9. Jess Rosin – 1B
SPs: Ashley Lynn & Sheelin Fisher

Scouting Report
The Golden Bears have already swept the Huskies once, and with the PSAC East title within their grasp, they should be as motivated as ever to sweep the Huskies out of Kutztown. The Huskies do, however, have a lot of talent, including a few top-notch offensive threats and one of the best pitching staffs around. The teams are relatively even and, like in the first meetings, both games are likely to be close right down to the finish.

The Golden Bears will look to the pitching trifecta of Kait Arbogast (17-4 1.59), Monica Glomb (9-2 1.58), and Mary Hoch (9-0 1.19) to keep them in games, while counting on the high-octane offense to power them to victories. Steph Denlinger (.381-11-41), Ashley Fitzgerald (.465-14-48), and Krista Cameron (.353-5-30) can all hit the ball out of the park at any given moment and they will need to provide that power on Friday. Kim Morrison (.254-3-16) will leadoff for KU has been playing well over the last few weeks. Maria Schiavo (.292-0-12) will be called upon to move base runners out of the two hole, but is another threat to set the table with a big hit at any time. Maggie Reifsnyder (.302-4-9) has recently been moved to the six hole to provide a threat behind the “big three” and she has not disappointed. She is quietly becoming the power hitter coach Judy Lawes was hoping for. Krista Tedjeske (.231-1-14), Caitlin Hague (.257-1-10), and Kathy Gregg (.278-6-19) are all capable hitters who will look to provide runs from the bottom of the order.

The Huskies will rely on their superstar pitcher Ashley Lynn (15-3 0.93) to carry them to the Promised Land. The senior has allowed opponents to hit just .208 and has struck out 138 in 128.1 innings of work. Sheelin Fisher (11-2 1.08) will likely start game two, while Tara Reed (7-2 0.98) rounds out a stellar pitching staff.

BU’s offensive attack is led by six regulars who are hitting above .300. Tara Reed (.420-1-21) leads the team in runs scored with 28 and steals with 10. Reed and Jenna Hampton (.324-3-21) have the most RBIs, while Hampton is tops on the team in homers. Mandy Koch (.313-2-11), Nikki Shiko (.351-2-10), Tiff Corliss (.316-1-13), and Lacy Mauro (.317-0-16) will also be counted on for run production.

In order to continue their assault of the Huskies, the Golden Bears will need the continued superb work of the pitching staff. Kait Arbogast, Monica Glomb, and Mary Hoch have been quite the trifecta this season and will be key to the team’s success the rest of the way. I’d expect both games to be close and I wouldn’t be completely surprised if Bloomsburg was able to steal one of the games. As good as KU is, the Huskies are also a top 25 team in the nation and can break out at any time.

Ladies make quick work of Mounties

Recap:
Wednesday, April 16 @ Mansfield:
Game 1: W 8-0
Kait Arbogast extended her scoreless innings streak to 20.1 straight innings as KU easily handled Mansfield in game one by a score of 8-0. Arbogast tossed the five inning complete game and allowed just two hits, while striking out eight. Steph Denlinger and Krista Cameron each had two hits and a homer. Ashley Fitzgerald continued her dominance at the plate, going 3-for-4 and driving in four runs. Maggie Reifsnyder was 2-for-3.
Game 2: W 6-0
The Golden Bears completed the day with another shutout, but this time it was Monica Glomb and Mary Hoch on the hill in the 6-0 affair. Hoch got the win, tossing five innings of three hit ball. Glomb pitched the final two innings, allowing just one hit. Fitzgerald again was 3-for-4 at the plate, drove in three runs, and scored twice. Denlinger walked in all four of her at-bats and scored three runs. Reifsnyder and Caitlin Hague had the only other KU hits in the game.

What we liked:
What else is new? Another doubleheader sweep—more great things to say. The pitching was almost perfect, as the Kait Arbogast-Monica Glomb-Mary Hoch trio allowed no runs on six hits and struck out 12 on the afternoon. Ashley Fitzgerald was a combined 6-of-8 (.750) at the dish, drove in a whopping seven runs, and scored three times. Steph Denlinger reached base in seven of her eight trips to the plate and scored five runs. Maggie Reifsnyder continues to improve, as she was 3-for-7 (.429) at the plate.

What we didn’t like:
There is nothing much to point out her, but a few players had a rough day. Leadoff hitter Kim Morrison had just one hit, but walked twice during the two games. Maria Schiavo was 0-for-7 at the plate out of the two spot in the order. Fortunately for them, Fitzgerald, Denlinger, Krista Cameron, and Maggie Reifsnyder had outstanding afternoons.

Impact:
Not only did KU sweep Mansfield, but Bloomsburg also split its doubleheader with East Stroudsburg. With eight divisional games to play, the Golden Bears (15-1) lead second place Bloomsburg (9-5) by five games. Shippensburg (9-7) currently has a relatively tight hold on the third and final playoff spot, but West Chester (6-8), ESU (6-10), Millersville (5-11) and Mansfield (4-12) can still get back in the race. The Golden Bears, ranked 10^th in the nation and 38-6 overall this season, need to win just two more games to clinch a playoff spot and are closing in on clinching the division title. It won’t be easy over the next few days, however, as they have what will likely be their hardest stretch of the season. They will host 19^th-ranked Bloomsburg at home on Friday and will then entertain 2^nd-ranked Lock Haven in a non-divisional doubleheader on Tuesday. A sweep of the Huskies on Friday would clinch KU at least a share of the PSAC East regular season title. I’ll have both of those games on the Golden Bear Network for your listening pleasure.

Ladies look to sweep Mansfield

What: Kutztown Golden Bears @ Mansfield Mountaineers
When: Wednesday April 16, 2008 @ 2 p.m. (Doubleheader)
Where: Helen Lutes Field on the campus of Mansfield University

Game Info
The KU softball team will head into Wednesday afternoon’s doubleheader at Mansfield as the top team in the PSAC East with an impressive 13-1 record. At 36-6 overall, the Golden Bears are ranked 10^th in the nation and are second in the region behind second-ranked Lock Haven. In the East, they currently lead second place Bloomsburg (8-4) by three games and are well ahead of Shippensburg (7-7), West Chester (6-8), Millersville (5-9), East Stroudsburg (5-9), and Mansfield (4-10). With 10 games to play including Wednesday, KU is still far from clinching a division title and still needs a few more wins to clinch a playoff berth.

The Golden Bears enter the game fresh off a weekend sweep of West Chester and Millersville. KU beat WCU 4-0 and 4-2 at home on Friday before beating Millersville 8-0 and 1-0 at North Campus Field on Saturday.

The Mounties enter the game at 10-13 overall this season and are last in the division at 4-10. They are coming off Monday’s doubleheader split with West Chester in which they lost game one 5-1 before taking game two 3-2.

The team’s met earlier this season in Kutztown on March 29. Both games were close, but it was the Golden Bears who managed to take 4-3 wins in both contests.

Probable Starting Lineups
Kutztown:
1. Kim Morrison – 2B
2. Maria Schiavo – LF
3. Steph Denlinger – 1B
4. Ashley Fitzgerald – CA/DH
5. Krista Cameron – 3B
6. Maggie Reifsnyder – RF
7. Caitlin Hague – CA/DH
8. Krista Tedjeske – SS
9. Kathy Gregg – CF
SPs: Kait Arbogast & Monica Glomb/Mary Hoch

Mansfield:
1. Shana Markwis – LF
2. Janelle Antes – 2B
3. Jess Christ – SS
4. Gabriella Carrullo – DH
5. Jen Stein – CA
6. Nicole Yost – RF
7. Megan Trutt – CF
8. Amanda Lewis – 1B
9. Sarah Cullen – 3B
SPs: Whitney Brown & Lindsey Knapp

Scouting Report
As usual, the Golden Bears have a much better lineup and pitching staff. Coach Judy Lawes will likely look to Kait Arbogast to pitch one of the games and to either Mary Hoch or Monica Glomb in the other. Since Glomb started game one on Saturday and Arbogast threw three innings in game two, I’d imagine Arbogast and Hoch will be the starters.

2B Kim Morrison has picked it up as of late after a mid-season slump and will continue to set the table along with two-hitter LF Maria Schiavo. 1B Steph Denlinger, CA/SS Ashley Fitzgerald, and 3B Krista Cameron will anchor the heart of the order with RF Maggie Reifsnyder beginning to heat up in the six spot. Caitlin Hague is the favorite to bat seventh and play designated hitter in one game and catch the other. SS Krista Tedjeske has struggled as of late, which was dropped her from sixth to eight in the lineup. CF Kathy Gregg is excellent out of the nine spot.

Mansfield is expected to throw Whitney Brown and Lindsey Knapp at Kutztown. Brown leads the team in starts, while Knapp is tops in ERA and strikeouts (56).

Jess Christ leads the team in batting average and is second in RBIs. Megan Trutt and Nicole Yost are the only other regulars hitting over .300. Janelle Antes has scored a team-high 17 runs, while Shana Markwis has a team-best 13 RBIs. Antes, Markwis, and Jen Stein have each hit two homers, tops on the team.

(New rankings as well as updated player stats will be added tonight or Wednesday morning)

Ladies extend win streak to nine

Recap:
Friday, April 11 vs. West Chester:
Game 1: W 4-0
KU scored two unearned runs in the first inning and never looked back, knocking off the Golden Rams 4-0 in game one. Kait Arbogast was stellar, tossing a complete game five-hit shutout, while striking out nine. Kim Morrison and Maggie Reifsnyder each had a pair of hits to lead the offense.
Game 2: W 4-2
Mary Hoch allowed two runs in the first inning, but her offense responded with three in the bottom of the second and an insurance run in the third as KU completed the season sweep of WCU. Hoch tossed a complete game, allowing just those two runs on four hits. Ashley Fitzgerald was 2-for-3 and hit a solo homer, while Krista Cameron and Caitlin Hague each added two hits.

Saturday, April 12 vs. Millersville:
Game 1: W 8-0
The Golden Bears scored at least one run in every inning and applied the mercy rule for the third consecutive meeting with the Marauders this season. KU led 5-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning when Fitzgerald hit a walkoff three-run homer to end the 8-0 affair. Maria Schiavo and Steph Denlinger each recorded two hits and scored twice for KU. Monica Glomb was on the hill for KU and allowed just four hits in five innings of work.
Game 2: W 1-0
Morrison scored the only run of the game in the bottom of the first inning as KU shutout the Marauders for the third consecutive time this season, this time 1-0. The Golden Bears outscored the Marauders 27-0 in four 2008 meetings. Lauren Doering pitched well in a rare start, allowing just three hits in four innings of work for the win. Arbogast came on in relief and earned the save, throwing three perfect innings.

What we liked:
The pitching was stellar as usual with the three-headed monster of Kait Arbogast, Mary Hoch, and Monica Glomb joined up with Lauren Doering to allow just two total runs in four games. Arbogast really stands out, as she struck out 13 in 10 innings and allowed no runs, while earning a win and a save. Ashley Fitzgerald just keeps getting better and better, which is amazing since she is already a top hitter in the nation. This weekend she was 6-of-9 (.667) at the plate, homered twice, and drove in five. It was great to see Kim Morrison finally bust out of her slump. She was 5-of-13 (.385) at the plate over the weekend and scored three runs. Freshman Maggie Reifsnyder is starting to come into her own and was outstanding in her role as the six hitter behind the Denlinger-Fitzgerald-Cameron trio. She was 4-of-10 (.400) at the plate and homered. Caite Hague also hit well, going 3-for-7 (.429) at the plate.

What we didn’t like:
As usual, there isn’t much bad you can pull out of four straight wins. Steph Denlinger certainly did struggle, however, managing a hit in just one of the four weekend games. She was 2-of-11 (.182) at the plate, scored twice, and drove in just one run. Kathy Gregg also had her problems, managing just one hit in nine at bats (.111). She did, however, drive in three runs, second best on the team. Game two against Millersville could be viewed as slightly worrisome, since KU managed just one run on three hits against a respectable, but not great left-handed pitcher. Since the Golden Bears sport a bunch of lefties in their regular lineup, it could be tough to score against a top-notch lefty should they see one at the regional or national level. That’s something to keep an eye on.

Impact:
The weekend sweep moved the 10^th-ranked Golden Bears to 13-1 in the PSAC East and to an impressive 36-6 overall. They lead Bloomsburg (8-4) by three games and Shippensburg (7-7) by four, which means they are getting close to clinching the division title and even closer to clinching a playoff berth. Following a doubleheader at Mansfield on Wednesday, KU will play a very telling batch of games. Following a home doubleheader with Bloomsburg on Friday, KU will visit ESU on Saturday before a return home on Tuesday the 22^nd for the matchup of the year. That is when Kristin Erb and the Lock Haven Lady Eagles will be in town to prove they are the top team in the Region. The Golden Bears will look to stay hot heading into a doubleheader that everyone will be watching closely.