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2/27/08 SOFTBALL - 2008 Outlook: Veteran Golden Falcons Look To Benefit From 2007 Pressure |
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 DeSOCIO
Last year’s Golden Falcons went 7-1 over an eight day stretch at season’s end to qualify for the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference playoffs via a tiebreaker, then won two elimination games in the tournament before finishing fourth. All but one defensive starter and the entire pitching staff return, leading Hill to hope that this year will start the way 2007 wrapped up.
“Sqeaking in as a six-seed, playing all those games under playoff pressure, all that is a good thing -- now,” said Hill, beginning her seventh season. “We have good leadership, and I’m hoping that the experience of reaching the playoffs, of being in some bigger games and of punching a couple of teams out, comes through. We should get off to a better start this year and we need to.”
Having added some offensive talent to the roster, Hill believes her perennial goal of a team .300 batting average is as achievable as ever. Felician hit .275 a season ago starting three freshmen and only one senior, and still scored more runs than they allowed.
“I;m optimistic,” Hill said. “We’ve added some bats and have good experience returning. Our goal every year is not only getting to the playoffs, but winning them.”
PITCHERS AND CATCHERS: The entire 2007 pitching staff returns, and Hill will not commit to a rotation, promising only that performance will determine usage. Senior Dara DeSocio (9-7, 2.69 ERA, 67 SO, 2 ShO in 2007) has the most experience, with 40 career starts and 25 wins. Junior Nicole Broecker (8-5, 1.92, 85 SO, 2 ShO) is the power arm, while sophomore Sherry Flynn (4-4, 4.01, 38 SO, 1 ShO) looks for a breakout year. Freshman Amber Doran may also see some innings.
Senior Heather Van Dyke (.387, 31 R, 13 RBI, 12 SB) is a fourth-year starter at catcher. She will once again be pushed by sophomore Rebecca Dodd (.269, 1 HR, 7 RBI).
INFIELD: The infield is only half-settled in the weeks leading up to the March 12 season opener . The first base job is wide open with returnee Brittany Taylor (.240, 12 R, 6 RBI, 5 SB), Dodd, and freshman Samantha Ortiz vying for playing time. Sophomore Hope Van Dyke (.258, 22 R, 13 RBI, 12 SH) returns at second base. Hill faces a difficult decision at shortstop between last year’s starter, Nicole Degenhardt (.318, 2 HR, 17 R, 20 RBI), and 2006 regular Jenna Krowl (.267, 3 HR, 18 R, 19 RBI). Freshman-eligible transfer Lauren DeGrushe has won the starting role at third.
OUTFIELD/DP: Senior Katie Spera (.263, 17 R, 5 SB) has secured one of the outfield positions, and Degenhardt or Krowl, a centerfielder most of last season, will likely occupy another. Doran will be given an opportunity to win the final slot, with Ortiz, the team’s only left-handed thrower, and Broecker (.272, 1 HR, 17 RBI) as other possibilities.
Broecker, Dodd and Ortiz are the leading candidates at designated player. |
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