2007 Softball Season Preview

Following a season where the Huskies fell one game short of a regional championship to eventual national champion Lock Haven University, the 2007 Bloomsburg University softball team is hungrier than ever to make their 25th consecutive NCAA Playoff appearance and advance to the championship round.

Last season the Huskies were once again one of the top teams in Division II, finishing the season with a 38-17 record, despite the fact they had a number of underclassmen playing key roles. This season the Huskies will have much more experience with 16 players returning from last season.

"We used a lot of young players last year and they are all a year older now," said head coach Jan Hutchinson. "With this core group, including all three returning pitchers and a strong freshmen class, we should be a stronger team this season."

FIRST BASE

Junior Stacy Krupiewski returns at first base after seeing the majority of the action there last season. Krupiewski was solid in the field and at the plate last season batting .286 and making just one error all season long.

Also returning this season will be senior Kristen Koveleski and sophomore Melissa Leeper. Koveleski batted .320 in 18 games and Leeper batted .342 in 22 games last season. Also competing for time at the corners will be freshman Alyssa English.

SECOND BASE

With the graduation of Kelly Zarski at second base, the competition is on to replace her. Competing for the position will be senior Jess Snader and juniors Jessica Rosin and Kristen Castano.

SHORTSTOP

Sophomore Tara Reed anchored the shortstop position last year when she wasn't on the pitching mound. Reed, an All-PSAC selection at both shortstop and pitcher, had an outstanding freshman season leading the team in several offensive categories. Freshman, Mandy Koch who has great range, a strong arm and much game savvy will vie for the starting job at shortstop as well as second base. Jess Rosin will also push both Reed and Koch and can play either shortstop or second base.

THIRD BASE

Senior Jennifer Davis and junior Kayleen Sidisky split time at third base last season and they will likely compete for time again this season. Both players have improved and had excellent fall seasons. Also in the mix will be freshman Alyssa English.

OUTFIELD

A number of players will see time in the outfield this season. Returning this season is senior Missy Bachert, juniors Tara Emery and Jill Homyak, and sophomore Jennifer Miller. Bachert will provide a power threat for the Huskies this season. In just 57 at-bats last season, Bachert drove in 24 runs and hit three home runs. Emery also had a solid season batting .373 in 67 at-bats. Miller will provide solid defense for the Huskies. Last season she did not commit an error all season.

Freshmen Casey Massimini and Nicole Shiko will also see time in the outfield. Both are excellent athletes who were infielders in high school but will move to the outfield because of their excellent speed.

CATCHER

A number of players may see time at catcher this season trying to fill the void left by the graduation of Alyson Taylor. Leading the way is junior Tiff Corliss. Corliss mostly played the outfield last season but backed up at catcher as well. Freshman Jennifer Glocke will also compete for time behind the plate. Glocke is an accomplished player who brings a strong arm, solid fundamentals and offensive power to the team. Alyssa English will play the corners and catch.

PITCHING

With all three starters returning, pitching definitely appears to be a strength for the Huskies in 2007. All-conference selections Tara Reed and Ashley Lynn return as well as junior Sheelin Fisher. Each pitcher has the ability to be dominant and shut down the opposition. Combined the three pitchers set a new school record for complete games (44) breaking the previous record of 41 set in 2001.

"Tara had an outstanding freshman year on the mound, but still has some areas she can improve upon," said assistant coach Susan Kocher. "She threw well during the fall season and we expect to see her making the jump to the next level this season." Reed led the Huskies in E.R.A (1.22) and struck out 148 batters in just 83 innings.

Lynn, a junior, led the Huskies in wins (18) and complete games (21). "Ashley is a tough competitor," added Kocher. "We relied on her heavily throughout the post season last year and expect her to use that experience as a stepping stone to a strong junior season.

"Sheelin has matured into a confident pitcher," noted Kocher. "She has the ability to change speeds and keep the ball down". Fisher went 5-2 last season and posted a 1.94 E.R.A

OVERALL

"I think we'll have a stronger lineup both offensively and defensively compared to last year", added Hutchinson. "We are strong 1 through 9 and we have three veteran pitchers back. We also have more speed than we probably ever had on one team.

The team also had a very strong showing in the fall, winning the prestigious Carole Weil Tournament in Allentown which should bolster team confidence heading into the spring schedule."

The league will be very strong again this year. Lock Haven, the defending national and PSAC Champions, as well as Shippensburg, Kutztown, Indiana and California (Pa.) will battle the Huskies for a conference championship as well as bid to the NCAA Championships in 2007.