2005 Bloomsburg University Softball Preview

The Bloomsburg University softball team comes into this season with eight seniors and eight freshmen on the roster. However, that doesn't seem to be worrying head coach Jan Hutchinson as she views the Huskies situation as a great mixture of young and old.

“We have a lot of returning upperclassmen that are really strong players,” said Hutchinson, who is entering her 28th season at the helm of the club. “We have a very talented group of freshman who are softball fanatics. They work hard and they love the game, so I think they are definitely ready to step in and play.”

The Huskies finished last season at 28-16-1, a record Hutchinson feels may be driving the seniors to right the ship this year.

“I know the seniors are disappointed with last year,” she said. “They know we were capable of going further in championship play. I think their enthusiasm and work ethic shows that they want to do better this year.”

Hutchinson realizes that it's a long season and the Huskies will have to peak at the right time in order to reach their goals.

“We have to take each game one at a time,” she said. “Our short range goal is to play our best every game. We want to get into the PSAC Championships and to do well enough to get into the NCAA Championships. Our long range goal is to qualify for the PSAC and NCAA Championships.”

CATCHER

Junior Alyson Taylor returns this season after starting 35 games last year. She has looked very good in preseason workouts after posting strong numbers last season batting .258, while only making two errors behind the plate.

Also looking to see time behind the plate this season are freshman Tiffani Corliss and sophomore Tina Jennosa.

FIRST BASE

Seniors Dee Wolfe and Sara Roba will split time at first this season and are both very good hitters and will probably bat in the designated player position when not on the field defensively. Hutchinson acknowledged that one doesn't have the edge over the other offensively or defensively so look for both players to be used in any way possible this season.

Last year Wolfe hit an impressive .340 with 31 RBI's, while Roba made just one error defensively.

SECOND BASE

Junior Kelly Zarski returns after seeing significant time in the infield last season. Expect sophomore Jess Snader to see time at second as well after getting just two starts a year ago. Freshman Kaylene Sidisky will also be fielding balls at second and brings a very good bat to the line-up.

SHORTSTOP

Senior Amanda Breon returns to short this season after putting up spectacular numbers last season batting .311 with seven home runs. Breon has great range in the infield and is a strong hitter with great speed.

Freshman Jessica Rosin will fill the role at short as needed. Rosin is a hard nose player who has done very well in preseason workouts.

THIRD BASE

Senior Laurel Koster is expected to remain the Huskies key third baseman after starting 40 games last season. Koster batted .255 with 12 RBI's in 2004.

Also available to see time at third will be Corliss and Sidisky.

OUTFIELD

Right now it remains to be seen who will be filling the slots in the outfield on opening day. Several players have shown they can play defensively at that position. Seniors Sarah McDaniel and Stef Kline are speedsters who can fly around the bases and both field the ball very well.

Jennosa and fellow sophomore Kristen Koveleski have both looked very strong in preseason workouts. Tara Emery and Jill Homyak are a pair of freshman who will certainly push for playing time as well.

No matter who the Huskies put in the outfield, Hutchinson feels confident that they will be very strong defensively.

PITCHING

With the return of three out of four pitchers from last season, this year's staff is shaping up to be a strong and experienced one. Senior Amanda Smith returns after stepping up last year, especially late in the season, posting a record of 11-2 with an ERA of 0.94.

Senior Jaime Wilson did very well for the Huskies on the mound last season posting a record of 5-3 with an ERA of 1.49. Junior Jen Probst will see more action in 2005 after seeing limited action a year ago.

Freshmen Ashley Lynn and Sheelin Fisher are two very strong pitchers who will be vying for time on the mound as well.

Hutchinson said to look for all five to see action on the mound this season.

OVERALL

Shippensburg has had a stronghold on the conference and the region the past two seasons but the Huskies will be looking to put an end to that this year. Hutchinson feels that the players are very enthusiastic about the upcoming season.

“We try not to focus on one team,” she said. “I want the team to step up to the challenge and to fear no one. Shippensburg, Kutztown, Mansfield and East Stroudsburg will all field strong teams in the Eastern Division this year.”

This year's large core of seniors may be just what is needed for Bloomsburg softball to return to the NCAA Championships.

“The seniors know what they want and they've done a good job taking charge already,” she said. “They're anxious and are taking on the leadership role as a group.”