2008 Softball Preview

As the Bloomsburg University softball team prepares for a new season, a veteran squad is once again poised to make a run at a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship and a berth in the NCAA playoffs.

The Huskies and coach Jan Hutchinson have a veteran player at nearly every position and along with an experienced pitching staff have all the ingredients needed to make a run at the 15th PSAC title in school history. Throw in a strong group of newcomers and you can see the reason for optimism.

"Having seven seniors among the 17 returning players is a great strength for our team," said Hutchinson. "When you add in some of the freshman that have come in that should help with our overall team depth, we're all very excited at what we can accomplish this year."

CATCHER: Senior Tiff Corliss returns behind the plate after seeing time in every game a season ago. Corliss posted a .995 fielding percentage and committed just two errors on the year.

Looking to back up Corliss will be junior Natalie Zimmerman, a transfer from Clarion who brings even more experience to the position. Last season, Zimmerman batted .304 in 28 games for Clarion and hit seven home runs with 24 RBI to lead the Golden Eagles.

FIRST BASE: At first, senior Stacy Krupiewski returns to the position after an injury limited her play in the field a year ago. In a purely offense role a year ago, Krupiewski finished third on the team in RBI with 21 and earned an All-PSAC first team selection as a designated player.

Fellow senior Jess Rosin looks to share the duties at first after seeing time as a middle infielder her first three seasons. Another player that could add depth to first is freshman pitcher Shavaun Fisher.

SECOND BASE: Sophomore Mandy Koch returns to the position after logging time in 32 games a year ago. Along with Koch, freshman Danielle Lazorka looks to add depth to the position. Lazorka will also see time at shortstop when Tara Reed is pitching.

SHORTSTOP: Junior Tara Reed returns and looks to build off a season in which she led the team in several statistical categories including batting average (.378) and doubles (16). She was named All-PSAC for the second straight year for her efforts.

Along with Reed, sophomore Nikki Shiko will also see some time this season at short after spending all of last season in the outfield. Shiko comes off an impressive rookie season that saw her finish second on the team in batting average at .364 and first in stolen bases with 10. She also garnered a first team All-PSAC Team selection for her efforts.

THIRD BASE: At third, senior Kayleen Sidisky returns to the position after playing in 42 games a year ago. Backing up Sidisky will be Southern Columbia graduate Jenna Hampton, who has shown to have good power at the plate and a strong arm.

OUTFIELD: Several players will look to contribute in the Huskies outfield this season. Senior Jill Homyak will be the most experienced member of the unit and will look to be more of a weapon in Bloomsburg's offense with her bunting skills and speed. Junior Jen Miller looks to build off a season that saw her register a 1.000 fielding percentage, while hitting .262 in limited action. Adding depth to the Huskies outfield will be sophomore Casey Massimini along with three talented freshmen, Emily Young, Lori Neyhard and Lacy Mauro. Mauro may also see some time behind the plate when not in the outfield.

PITCHING: Any team is only as good as its pitching staff and the Huskies feature both a deep and talented group. Senior Ashley Lynn returns after leading the Husky pitching staff a year ago with 22 wins, a 1.21 ERA and 223 strikeouts. Lynn will look to be even more dominant this season as the leader of the Bloomsburg pitching staff.

Along with Lynn, senior Sheelin Fisher and junior Tara Reed return to the staff. Fisher went 11-3 with a 2.15 ERA last year with 106 strikeouts, while Reed was 5-5 with a 2.05 ERA in just 12 appearances on the mound. "Both Tara and Sheelin really struggled with injuries a year ago," added Hutchinson. "But, they are both healthy now and ready for the 2008 season."

Adding depth to that group will be freshman Shavaun Fisher, sister of Sheelin Fisher. Shavaun was a two-time pitcher of the year in the Allentown-area and will to make contributions both as a pitcher and first baseman.

OVERALL: Before Bloomsburg begins to navigate its way through the challenging PSAC East, it will begin its season down south, including a trip to the Smash Hit Tournament in Savannah, Georgia. There, Bloomsburg will match up with perennial national power Armstrong Atlantic in a doubleheader to begin the year.

"This is the first time we have played in this tournament and we know that it is very strong," noted Hutchinson, the all-time leader in wins among Division II coaches. "We're going to be jumping into the fire real fast when we open with Armstrong Atlantic. It should be a great experience."

Within the PSAC , Bloomsburg will have to contend with traditional powers such as Shippensburg, Lock Haven, while also having to deal with up-and-coming East Stroudsburg. All of these teams will battle with Bloomsburg for the conference and regional championships this season.

"This senior class won a regional championship and went to the NCAA Championships as freshmen, so they know what it takes to reach that level," Hutchinson added. "To get back there has really been a driving force for them in practice. They have handled tough games and tough situations before, so they know what it takes to get to that next step and that should really benefit us all season."