Sports Home • Today at BU • BU Home • Alumni • Admissions • Academics

2003 Bloomsburg University Softball Preview

BLOOMSBURG-- Despite losing six players, the 2003 Bloomsburg University softball team has plenty of experienced returning players to once again compete on a national level. With only two returning seniors, Bloomsburg is a young team, but they gained big game experience on the way to a third place finish at the NCAA Championships last year. The Huskies enter the season ranked third in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association pre-season poll.

“Our biggest challenge is that we lost a lot of great leaders,” said coach Jan Hutchinson. “Our seniors last year were our vocal leaders. Our returning players must step up into greater leadership roles in order for us to be successful.”

The Huskies will be tested early with a tough schedule at the Francis Marion Tournament followed by the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, FL. This tough schedule will help Bloomsburg prepare for conference play. “The PSAC East is strong this year. It's the toughest it's ever been,” said coach Hutchinson. “Our schedule down south will give us a chance to get our feet wet and prepare for PSAC play.”

Leading the way for Bloomsburg this season are two seniors and two junior All-Americans. Senior Liza Pepper (Cumbola/Pottsville) returns at first base, while senior Melanie Anderson (East Hampton, NY/East Hampton) returns at catcher. Junior Amber Cowher (Williamsport/Williamsport), a second-team All-American selection in 2001, returns on the mound, while junior Jess Shnyder (Milton/Milton), a first-team All-American selection in 2002, returns to anchor the outfield.

Cowher will anchor a solid pitching staff for the Huskies. Last year she got stronger as the season progressed. She was named the most valuable player of the Mid-Atlantic Regional championships after posting a record of 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA. The Huskies will look to her to step into a bigger leadership role this season.

Three sophomores round out the pitching staff. Amanda Smith (Sandy Ridge/Philipsburg-Osceola) showed confidence and poise on the mound last season posting a 6-1 record. She has good movement and control and offers a variety of pitches.

Jaime Wilson (Olyphant/Bishop O'Hara) pitched in some big games last season and finished with a 5-0 record. The Huskies are looking for her to become more consistent this season.

Jennifer Probst (Harrisburg/Central Dauphin) rounds out the pitching staff. Last season she took a medical red shirt and is now physically 100%. She has good speed on her pitches, with the ability to mix speeds. Her great work ethic is allowing her to keep improving.

Melanie Anderson returns at catcher for the Huskies. She is technically strong and has great composure and poise behind the plate. She also provides a strong bat in the Bloomsburg lineup. The Huskies are looking to her to become a leader this season.

Junior Becca Kehler (Klingerstown/Tri-Valley) and freshmen Alyson Taylor (Jersey Shore/Jersey Shore Area) and Crystal Condran (Hummelstown/Hershey) will push for playing time at catcher as well. Kehler returns to the Huskies after playing mostly designated hitter last year. Last season she set school records for homeruns in a game with three and RBI in a game with seven. She continues to improve as a catcher. Taylor offers a strong presence behind the plate. She has good foot speed and a strong arm and bat. She showed improvement over the fall season and will push for a spot in the starting lineup. Condran is a versatile player with a good bat and good arm. As a member of the field hockey team she missed the fall season, but she is working hard to push for playing time.

Senior Liza Pepper returns at first base to anchor the Bloomsburg infield. The three-time All-PSAC selection has been an impact player since her freshman season. Last season she finished with a .365 batting average. She has emerged as one of the team leaders this year. Sophomore Sara Roba (Emmaus/Emmaus) will also play first base. Last season she saw some time at first base and also at designated hitter. She finished the season with a .327 batting average.

Sophomore Stephanie Levonick (Osceola Mills/Philipsburg-Osceola) and freshman Kelly Zarski (Danville/Danville) will contend for a starting position at second base. Levonick was named first team All-PSAC last season as a utility player. She has good range and speed and also provides a strong bat. She finished last season with a .347 batting average. Zarski has very good fundamentals and has already showed improvement through the fall season. She very quick and is an excellent base runner.

Amanda Breon (Bellefonte/Bellefonte Area), who played both shortstop and third base last season, will play shortstop this season. Just a sophomore, she has already begun to take a vocal, leadership position on the team. She is a naturally gifted athlete and shows great range in the infield. She also provides a great bat and the ability to bunt. Levonick and Zarski provide depth at the shortstop position.

Sophomores Laurel Koster (Whitney Point, NY/Cicero North Syracuse) and Deanna Wolfe (Milton/Milton) will compete for a starting spot at third base. Koster is a strong athlete. She is an aggressive power player, but also provides quickness. She finished last season with a .340 batting average. Wolfe did not see a lot of playing time last season, but is a natural, fundamentally strong player on the field and is a power hitter at the plate. She has matured as a player and has become more confident.

Junior Jess Shnyder returns at centerfield for the Huskies. She led the Huskies in batting with a .409 average. She is a sound fielder with excellent speed. Bloomsburg will look to her to become a leader in the outfield this season.

Several other players will battle for the other two starting positions. Junior Samantha Basalik (Warminster/William Tennent) was solid in the outfield last season for the Huskies. She has continued to improve from the spring to the fall. She has matured as a player, becoming more consistent and confident.

Sophomores Lisa Lowe (Yardley/Pennsbury) and Sarah McDaniel (Dallastown/Dallastown Area) will look to contend for time in the outfield despite limited playing time last season. Lowe has improved greatly as she has transitioned to the college game. McDaniel is fast and has a strong arm in the outfield.

Infielders Sara Roba and Kelly Zarski and catcher Alyson Taylor will also compete for time in the outfield.