2006 Softball Season Preview
A look at the 2006 Bloomsburg University softball team finds one thing lacking for the Huskies as they head into a new season: experience. After a 45-10 season in 2005 that included its 23rd straight trip to the NCAA Division II championships and a fifth-place finish at the national championships, Bloomsburg heads into the new year with just two seniors on the roster after losing nine players to graduation.
"There is no doubt that we will be looking for Kelly Zarski and Alyson Taylor to provide leadership to our team," said Hutchinson. The eight returning sophomores and two juniors gained a wealth of experience throughout the season and the NCAA playoffs last year. Add to that a talented group of five incoming freshmen and four transfers will add depth in rebuilding a team quickly.
The spring trip will be important in determining the starting line-up for conference play. It will also provide the young pitching staff of two sophomores and three freshmen a chance to adjust to collegiate competition.
"As always our goals remain the same, qualify for and play well in the PSAC and NCAA tournaments," said Hutchinson who is chasing a milestone of her own. She enters the 2006 season just nine wins shy of passing Sandy Jerstad, formerly of Augustana, for the NCAA Division II all-time leader in career softball wins with 1,012.
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CATCHER
Senior Alyson Taylor (Jersey Shore/Jersey Shore) will be behind the plate once again this season after suffering a knee injury in the NCAA tournament last year and missing the fall season. Taylor, a solid defensive catcher, did not make an error all last season.
Backing up Taylor will be sophomore Tiffany Corliss (Lewisburg/Mifflinburg). Corliss played 43 games combined at catcher and outfield. At the plate she showed good power, hitting three homeruns and driving in 17 runs. She also gained valuable experiencing this past fall handling most of catching duties in the absence of Taylor.
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FIRST BASE
A number of players will battle for the starting position at first base. Junior Kristen Koveleski (Mechanicsburg/Mechanicsburg), sophomore Stacy Krupiewski (Trooper/Methacton), a transfer from West Chester University, and freshmen Melissa Leeper (Port Jervis, NY/Port Jervis) and Courtney Rhone (Bloomsburg/Central Columbia), a transfer from Ithaca College, are all solid defensive players and good hitters.
SECOND BASE
All-Conference senior Kelly Zarski (Paxinos/Danville) will return at second base. Zarski possesses great range, a wealth of experience and, as captain, will be looked to for her leadership abilities. Junior Jess Snader (Mount Joy/Donegal) will also see time at second base and will be joined by middle infielders sophomore Jess Rosin (Brooklyn, NY/James Madison), Kristen Castano (Nanticoke/Nanticoke) and freshman Lisa Bohner (Northumberland/Shikellamy) who will split time between short stop and second base.
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SHORT STOP
Jess Rosin, playing behind senior short stop Amanda Breon last year, saw limited time but played well when given the opportunity. As a sophomore she will challenge for the starting spot with freshman pitcher, shortstop Tara Reed (Williamsport/Williamsport). Middle infielders Castano and Bohner bring depth and talent to the position.
THIRD BASE
Laurel Koster's graduation has opened the door for sophomore Kayleen Sidisky (Bellefonte/Bellefonte) and junior transfer Jenn Davis (Center Valley/St. Patricks-St. Vincents). Sidisky has improved her range, has a solid arm and is playing with more confidence. Davis played her high school years in California and anchored third base for Northampton Community College's 40-0 season last spring. An accomplished defensive player, Davis brings switch hitting capabilities to the offensive line-up.
OUTFIELD
Sophomore Jill Homyak (Lehighton/Marian Catholic) is the most experienced returning outfielder after playing 43 games in center field as a freshman last season. Homyak has great range, a strong arm and reacts quickly to the ball coming off of the bat. Sophomore Tiff Corliss saw most of her playing time as a starter in right field. Corliss is a very strong defender, shows great composure and brings power to the plate.
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Junior Kristen Koveleski and sophomore Tara Emery (Sunbury/Shikellamy) saw limited time last year. Both are talented players and will challenge for a starting position.
Missy Bachert (Coplay/Parkland) who had stellar careers at Parkland high school and Northampton Community College joins the Huskies as a junior. Bachert has power hitting capability, a stong arm and good range. Freshman Jen Miller (Muir/Williams Valley) brings great speed to the line-up both offensively and defensively. She also has a lot of experience at second base and will add depth at the position as well.
PITCHING
The graduation of senior All-Region pitchers Amanda Smith and Jaime Wilson leaves the Huskies with a young, but talented pitching staff. Sophomore Ashley Lynn ( Riverside/Danville), went 7-2 her first year and threw three shutouts in her first four career starts. She allowed just 33 hits in 53 innings. Lynn came on strong during the year and gained valuable experience in the PSAC and NCAA tournaments.
Sophomore Sheelin Fisher (Coplay/Allentown Central Catholic) pitched back-to-back no hitters in her first two career starts. She finished last season 4-1 with a 1.78 ERA. After a solid freshman campaign, Fisher has added some pitches and performed well during the fall season.
Freshman Tara Reed (Williamsport/Williamsport) had a great career on the mound for Williamsport high school. Reed has speed and movement on the ball, throws with a lot of confidence and shows a lot of composure on the mound. When not on the mound, she will challenge for a starting spot at short stop. She is also a very good hitter and will bring depth to the offensive line-up.
Freshman Lisa Bohner (Northumberland/Shikellamy) was a four time first team All-League and player of the year in the league as a senior at Shikellamy High School. After suffering a knee injury last spring she missed all of the fall season. She returns to the line-up this spring as a pitcher and middle infielder.
Freshman Kristina Tice (Port Jervis, NY/Minisink Valley), Minisink Valley H. S. (New York), was an All-State pitcher in high school and the 2005 Player of the Year in her league. She brings depth to the pitching staff and a very poised hitter. She will also challenge for time in the outfield.
OVERALL
Once again Shippensburg will be one of the top teams in the PSAC along with Kutztown, Mansfield and East Stroudsburg. Shippensburg has won the three previous PSAC Championships and will certainly contend for the title along with Bloomsburg this year.
"There are a number of tough teams in the conference. So we can't take anyone for granted," said Hutchinson. "We just need to go out and try to play our best every game and we will be successful. This year's team is young but very talented and with hard work and dedication we will reach our goals."
