2002 Softball Preview

The 2002 Bloomsburg University softball roster is a dynamic mix of experience and young talent. Head coach Jan Hutchinson has seven returning All-PSAC players from a year ago, including All-Americans Lisa Mull and Amber Cowher, and a large and extremely talented freshman class.

Despite losing two two-time All-Americans (Erica Miller and Vanessa Sterner), the Huskies are returning the nucleus of last year's team and are ready to once again compete for the national title. The seniors have the experience of 20 NCAA Tournament games under their belt. The great accomplishment of finishing third at the NCAA Championships in 2000 and fourth in 2001, has only made this group hungrier for the national title that has eluded them.

"Our seniors are good leaders. They are the same vocal leaders we had a year ago, so leadership on the field should be the same as last season," said coach Hutchinson.

Ready to help the returning players make this run, are ten talented freshmen. These newcomers will provide added depth and speed to the team and will all push for playing time.

"I am excited for the coming season. This team has more depth than any team we've ever had. We've always had depth within our batting order, but this year we have more depth on our bench," said Hutchinson. "We certainly have the experience and the pitching that will enable us to be a contender on the national level."

PITCHERS AND CATCHERS

The Huskies pitching staff has plenty of depth this season. Kerri Cooper and Amber Cowher return to lead the Bloomsburg pitching staff. Cooper was a second team All Mid-Atlantic region selection and named MVP of the PSAC Championships. Cowher, who led the PSAC in victories, was a second-team All-American last season.

Joining Cooper and Cowher will be freshmen Jennifer Probst, Jaime Wilson, and Amanda Smith. All three newcomers are mentally tough after gaining valuable post-season experience in high school.

Melanie Anderson returns to the lineup at catcher after missing last season due to injury. In 2000, she was a first team All Mid-Atlantic region selection and named to the All-NCAA Tournament team, beating out the national player of the year for that honor. Tricia DePoe, Becca Kehler, and Deanna Wolfe may also see time at catcher.

INFIELD

The return of Melanie Anderson at catcher will add versatility to the Bloomsburg infield. Several of the Huskies have the ability to play more than one infield position. Liza Pepper, an All-PSAC selection as a first baseman in 2000 and catcher in 2001, will return to the to the infield this season. She will see time at both first base and third base this season.

Christi McHale was a second-team All-PSAC selection at first base last season. This season she will see time both at first base and second base.

Mylan Le is a versatile player who can play any infield position. Last year she started at second base. This season she may see time at shortstop and third base as well.

Freshman Amanda Breon will compete for a starting position at shortstop or third base. She had a solid fall season and brings another strong bat into the lineup.

Freshmen Stephanie Levonick and Sara Roba will also compete for playing time in the infield. Levonick is a middle infielder, while Roba is a first baseman.

OUTFIELD

Bloomsburg has a trio of All-PSAC outfielders returning. Lisa Mull was a second-team All-American last season. She finished the year with a .381 batting average and provides good speed and a solid glove in the outfield. Jessica Shnyder was a first-team All Mid-Atlantic Region and first-team All-PSAC selection last season at centerfield. She finished with a .358 batting average and made just one error all season. Allison Necci was a second-team All-PSAC outfielder last season playing mostly right field. Her .382 batting average last season leads all the returning Huskies.

Samantha Basalik and newcomers Laurel Koster, Sarah McDaniel, and Lisa Lowe will all add depth to the outfield.

The Huskies once again begin the season with a tough schedule on the road before returning home for PSAC play.

"Last season after winning down south, we got too comfortable and didn't play our game against some of our PSAC opponents. We need to instill a game by game mentality into our players so we play each game with the same intensity."

"Right now we need to focus on self and team improvement. We need to play with intensity and not look ahead," Hutchinson said. "It is crucial that we play every game like it is the most important game on the schedule."