Posted by Michael Ann Riley - Wed, Jan 27, 2010 - [Softball] - Viewed 568 times
PULASKI, Tenn. - The 2010 version of the TranSouth Athletic
Conference Preseason Softball Coaches Poll has been released. Martin
Methodist College has been chosen as the TranSouth Pre-Season No. 1
gaining seven of the eight first place votes. The RedHawks are the
defending TranSouth Regular Season Champions and finished the 2009
season as on of the top eight teams in the NAIA.
Union University is in the No. 2 spot in the preseason poll,
followed by Bethel University at No. 3 and Freed-Hardeman University
rounding out the top four. Trevecca Nazarene University was chosen No.
5, Lyon College No. 6, Cumberland was picked No. 7 and Mid-Continent is
in the No. 8 position. These eight teams will be fighting for the 2010
TranSouth Athletic Conference Regular Season and Tournament
Championships.
This year's TranSouth Tournament
will be held in Nashville, Tenn. at the Trevecca Nazarene University
Softball Complex. The 2010 TranSouth Conference Tournament Champion
will get an automatic bid to the May 2010 NAIA Softball National
Tournament in Decatur, Ala.
The NAIA pre-season poll will be released on February 2nd and can be found on the NAIA website www.naia.org
The TranSouth softball teams are gearing up for the 2010 season
which will begin in less than a month. Fans can follow their favorite
TranSouth Softball teams, with information including rosters, scores,
schedules, and standings online at www.transouth.org
Votes were given with a value of 8=1 point and 1=8 points.
BETHEL UNIVERSITY
McKENZIE, Tenn. - Bethel University comes into the 2009 - 2010
softball season, under the leadership of third year head coach Larry
Geraldi, with high expectations along with the name change from Bethel
College. The Bethel University Lady Wildcats have a much tougher
schedule this season with the improvement of all the teams in the
TranSouth conference. Bethel has also added the Gulf Coast Classic
Tournament in Orange Beach, Alabama where many of the top ranked NAIA
teams will be participating along with a doubleheader with NCAA D1
opponent Murray State University.
The Lady Wildcats had a 34 - 14 record last season along with the
TranSouth conference tournament championship. With that championship
the Bethel squad competed in the NAIA national tournament. They
represented Bethel and the TranSouth conference well as they defeated
Georgetown, KY and lost 3 -0 to Oklahoma City and 6 to 2 in extra
innings to Simon Frazier. The Lady Wildcats are still a relatively
young team with only 2 seniors, 5 juniors, 4 sophomores and 7 freshman.
Newcomers to the Bethel Roster are Freshman Brittany Bolen C from
Huntingdon, TN; Ashton Carnahan P-Utility from Waverly, TN; Shelby
Cummings 2B from Trinity Christian School in Jackson, TN; Megan Hinds
IF-OF from Kenwood High School in Clarksville, TN; Katie Pacifici IF- P
from Creek Wood High School in Dickson Co., TN; and Emily Roper IF-OF
from Houston County High School in Erin, Tenn.
Returning players:
Seniors: pitcher Amber Metzger and shortstop Ashley Simmons.
Juniors: pitcher Leah Hensley,
catcher/utility Kasey Winsett, catcher Brittany Edmonds, centerfielder
Lindsey Davis, and infielder Jennifer Townson.
Sophomores: outfield/infield Brooke Cary, outfield Morgan Berry, 3rd
baseman Amanda Renfroe, and catcher/utility Colby Prosser. Redshirt
freshman pitcher Katie Ervin.
CUMBERLAND UNIVERSITY
LEBANON, Tenn. - After going 7-32 and winning just one TranSouth
Conference game a year ago, the Cumberland Bulldog softball team has
big hopes of righting the ship this season.
Under second-year head coach Heather Stanfill, the Bulldogs will
field a very young team, with only two players returning from last
year's squad. With the addition of a pair of transfers, Cumberland has
only four players with game experience.
Infielder Stephanie Gutierrez was named to the All-TranSouth
Second Team after the 2008-09 campaign after leading the team with a
.269 batting average. The junior from Orlando, Fla., is the only
upperclassman on the squad and is expected to a big contributor both on
the field and in leadership.
Among the newcomers that will be thrust into starting roles are
shortstop Megan Lavery, center fielder Victoria Bennett, pitcher/first
baseman Caitlin Gray and pitcher Allison Blackwood.
With a dozen freshmen on a team of 16, most will see significant
playing time and will have some growing up to do quickly in the
Bulldogs' games leading up to conference play.
"We're a young team so there are going to be bumps and bruises
along the way, but we have the potential to shock some people,"
Stanfill said. "We have bought into the new CU' philosophy, so we feel
like we are making progress toward moving the program in the right
direction."
Cumberland opens the season February 19th at home against Tennessee Wesleyan.
FREED-HARDEMAN UNIVERSITY
HENDERSON, Tenn. - After going 96-41 in the last three seasons,
the Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions find themselves with some big
shoes to fill after the graduation of five seniors from last season's
26-9 squad. Among those graduates are Tarrah Tucker and Brittany
Bradford, both of whom were key parts of the program's success in those
three years.
PITCHERS In the circle, the Lady Lions must deal
with the graduation of Tucker, who finished her career holding every
pitching record in school history. However, the team will not be at a
shortage of experience with the return of senior Britney Caldwell, who
has been the team's No. 2 starter the last three seasons behind Tucker.
Last season, Caldwell went 7-6 with a 1.98 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 102
innings of work. Freshmen twin sisters Savannah and Summer Cole will
work together behind Caldwell in the rotation.
CATCHERS After
splitting time behind the plate with Bradford for the last three
seasons, senior Traci Gibbons moves to the position on a full-time
basis. Gibbons threw out 40 percent of base stealers last year. She
also hit .296 with 23 RBI despite spending most of her time in the
ninth spot in the order and is a particularly dangerous hitter with
runners in scoring position. Freshman Amber VanSandt could also see
time in the battery.
INFIELDERS When not in the circle,
Caldwell will likely be at first base, a position where she has split
time for the last two seasons. This season she'll share the position
with sophomore Brittany Yates, and the two will form the anchor of the
Lady Lion lineup. Caldwell hit .279 with five homeruns and 29 RBI last
year while Yates batted .303 with five homeruns and a team-leading 31
RBI. Also back is Jill Brock, who will be a three-year starter at
shortstop. The junior hit .274 in 2009 and led the team in sacrifices.
Augusta
McClary, who started every game at second base last year, will likely
move to third base to make room for the return of Betsy Pickler.
Pickler missed the 2009 season with an injury after hitting .317 with
17 RBI as a sophomore in 2008.
OUTFIELDERS Brittany Steverson
is the lone returning starter in the FHU outfield and will move from
left field to center field this season. Steverson hit .322 last year
after hitting .337 as a freshman. Juniors Natalie Carson and Audra Yopp
have each seen limited action in their first two seasons and their
roles could be expanded this year. Newcomers Caneshia Turner and Brandi
Edwards are also options for playing time.
LYON COLLEGE
BATESVILLE, Ark. - The Lyon College Pipers have made steady
improvements in their two seasons of existence and finished 21-26 and
5-9 in the TranSouth in 2009. But 2010 departures and graduations have
sapped some sage wisdom from the lineup for 2010.
Gone with the wind
are eight every-day starters for head coach Jason Miner's club,
including All-TranSouth Conference performers Taylor Morgan
and Kristi Keller.
However, the pitching staff is still loaded with experience as two
of the three starting pitchers for last year's team will return in the
form of juniors Faith Richmond and Tenequa Martin.
Martin, a righty from Taylor, Ark., also started at designated
player on her off-days and packed quite a punch for the Pipers in 2009.
The right-hander led the team in wins (9-8 in 2009) and set a
single-season school record for home runs (6) in 2009.
Richmond, a right-hand pitcher from Van Buren, Ark., recorded
eight wins and led the Pipers in ERA (3.41) and set a single-season
school record for strikeouts with 102. The Van Buren native was the
first pitcher in Lyon history to notch more than 100 K's in a season.
The starting infield and outfield is loaded with new faces as
seven junior transfers and eight freshmen have reported to practice for
the Spring. Outfielders Kristi Kelley (Alvin CC), Kristan Inman (St.
Petersburg College) and Megan Renn (Sierra College), and infielders
Katie Sentinella (Skagit Valley College), Christine Dykema (Skagit
Valley College) and Lynleigh Nichols (Dawson CC) are among the possible
impact transfers. Helen Zyjewski (Fort Smith, Ark.), Chelsea Fowler
(Huffman, Texas) and Laci Cockrill (Newport, Ark.) are a part of the
immediate difference-makers in the freshmen class for the 2010 campaign.
Newcomers
Helen Zyjewski (1B/C)
Katie Sentinella (2B)
Chelsea Fowler (SS)
Lynleigh Nichols (3B)
Kristan Inman (LF)
Kristi Kelley (CF)
Megan Renn (RF)
MARTIN METHODIST COLLEGE
PULASKI,
Tenn. - The Martin Methodist College softball program is coming off of
a great 2009 campaign, concluding the season at the NAIA Softball
National Tournament as one of the Elite Eight teams in the nation and
with a top 10 ranking. With the loss of the five senior leaders from
the 2009 squad the returning players and new comers have worked hard in
the off-season to fill those big shoes. The dedication of this year's
team is paying off and things are starting to take form.
With
the addition of nine new players, six of which are true freshman the
RedHawks will be young this season.The three returning seniors have
stepped up to the challenge of leading this fresh squad. A lot of
emphasis will be placed on 2009 TranSouth New-Comer of the Year,
catcher Maria Robinson behind the plate as the commander on the field.
Nicole Curtis, two time 2009 TranSouth pitcher of the week, will be
looked to as a mentor for the new members of the pitching staff. Second
baseman Nicole Velez also a First Team All-Conference selection will be
the anchor for the infield.
Two
junior college transfers Outfielder Karina de Los Santos (Miami Dade
Community College) and infielder Misti Alston from Truitt-McConnell
College, coupled with returning juniors Nicole McWhorter (shortstop)
and Carrie Morris (1st base) will be looked upon to make strong impacts on the season.
Sophomores Tiffany
McCormick (outfield) Samantha Queen (designated player) and 2009
TranSouth Freshman of the year Chrissy Worth (pitcher) will be more
seasoned now and will take on additional leadership roles while
continuing to grow as well rounded players.
The
talented group of freshman have done a great job coming in ready and
willing to work hard as they look to make their own name as a Martin
Methodist College softball player.
With
the opening of the 2010 season less than a month away and the tough
TranSouth Athletic Conference awaiting; the team is training hard to
prepare for their first test February 17th against NCAA Division III Huntingdon College, Coach Brandie Paul's alma mater.
MID-CONTINENT UNIVERSITY
MAYFIELD,
Ky. - When Mid-Continent University softball opens its 2010 schedule
with a doubleheader at Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee, Feb. 17, it
begins with a new coach, high expectations, considerable maturity and
endless versatility.
Former
Cougar and two-year assistant coach Christa Bakemeier replaces Rocky
Stinson as coach and inherits eight returning players from the 2009
team that posted records of 13-39 overall and 1-13 in the TranSouth
conference and placed fourth in the NCCAA National Tournament in
Florida. With Stinson, Bakemeier also recruited six quality community
college transfers and three freshmen, all of whom who are expected to
make an immediate impact.
"This
is one of the best teams I have ever been associated with," claims
Bakemeier. "They mesh well and respect each others' personalities and
are a mature group."
The
new-look Cougars begin with lofty goals - place in the top four in the
TranSouth conference race, win more games than it loses, and win the
NCCAA Mideast Regional which is hosted by MCU, May 4-6. "This team is
serious about softball and has the desire to achieve its goals," says
Bakemeier.
Achieving
the goals begins in the pitching circle, where seniors Amanda Duke and
April Carter and sophomore Victoria Spindor, an All-TSAC second team
choice, return and join junior college transfers Maegan Wilson and
Kelly Fougerousse to form a deep and experienced pitching corps.
Behind
the plate, JC transfer Jennifer Martinez and junior Tristana Williams
combine to replace two-year starting catcher Tiffany Hopwood.
At
first base, Fougerousse and Spindor provide the team's main power
sources. Spindor led MCU with 10 doubles, 4 home runs and 18 RBI last
season. MCU's considerable versatility give Bakemeier plenty of
possibilities in the three other infield positions. Carter, MCU's
returning second baseman, and JC transfer Amanda Hostettler are
candidates at the keystone but also could see action at shortstop along
with freshmen Lindsey Speed, Williams, and Alyssa Ybarra who are
competing for time.
At
third base, sophomore five-tool player Lisa Szatkowski is a leading
candidate but also plays a utility role for the Cougars in the infield
and outfield. Szatkowski led MCU with a .276 average and had 4 doubles,
2 home runs and 17 RBI.
Also
competing for third-base duties are sophomore returnee Nicki Dewitt,
who becomes available at the end of the women's basketball season, and
freshman Marissa Nickerson, who gives MCU another utility player for
several positions.
Left
field is patrolled by junior Hannah Moseley, the returning starter who
hit .246 with 2 doubles, 2 home runs and 13 RBI, and junior college
transfer Jackie Lloyd. Speedy senior Amber Rapert hit .229 with 2
triples, one home run, 13 RBI and 8 stolen bases and is the returning
center field starter with a strong right-field strength arm.Lloyd and
sophomore Kaylee Blankenship are the candidates in right field.
Blankenship, who hit .263 in just 12 games before suffering a broken
ankle in early March.
TREVECCA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Trevecca
softball team heads into its second season under head coach Ben Tyree.
They will do so with only one senior, Megan Hemmingsen. The youth
movement will be in full-force as Coach Tyree's first full recruiting
class will be in uniform.
Trevecca
saw its run of three-straight NAIA tournament appearances and four
straight TranSouth Championships come to an end last season, but are
re-stocked and prepared to begin a new run in 2010. Despite missing the
NAIA tournament, the team still posted a 21-win season and were 8-6 in
conference play.
Hemmingsen,
who transferred from Motlow State prior to last season, is from
Woodlawn, Tenn. and will be a the lone senior on this year's team.
The
junior class includes two-year contributors Karli Rush (Mt. Juliet HS)
and Melinda Patterson (Camden HS) as well as transfers Monica West
(Shorter College) and Kelsey Lantrip (Central Alabama). All four will
be looked upon for leadership and production at the plate. Just added
to the roster is another junior, Anais Puertas, a transfer from
Southeastern (Iowa) Community College. The Venezuelan will play in the
infield and outfield.
The
sophomore class contributed as freshmen last year and more is expected
in their second season in purple. Lauren Baker (Beech HS,
Hendersonville, Tenn.), Riley Mashburn (Father Ryan HS, Brentwood,
Tenn.), and Caitlyn Bailey (Wilson Central HS, Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) all
were highly recruited out of high school and produced on the field last
year.
The
2010 freshman class looks to be a full of contributors. Brooke Brennan
(Davidson Academy, Old Hickory, Tenn.), Breanna Zeis (Blackman HS,
Murfreesboro, Tenn.), and Nikki Durham (Sycamore HS, Pleasant View,
Tenn.) will all add to this year's effort on the field.
Coach
Tyree believes his team will compete TranSouth title again this year,
"We have improved our team this year in all areas, to help us reach our
goal of winning the TranSouth Championship. With a TranSouth
championship we'd receive a bid to the NAIA Tournament."
UNION UNIVERSITY
JACKSON,
Tenn. - Union University softball head coach Heather Hall is starting
her third season with the program and looks to build on a third place
conference finish from a year ago. Union is returning 10 players from
last season, including the top three in batting average and RBI. Union
also brings in 10 newcomers to the program in hopes of winning an
eighth TranSouth Conference Title and a advancing to their seventh
appearance in the NAIA National Tournament.
Union
has just three seniors on the squad. Candice Thompson returns for her
fourth year with Union and will play both in the outfield and catcher.
Lindsey Landreneau is back for her third season after an all-conference
performance and a team-high .376 batting average in 2009. Ali Thomas
returns for her second season and was an all-conference performer in
2009 with a .368 average.
The
junior class equals the seniors with the smallest class on the roster
of three players. Brittany Burkett returns at third base after missing
last season with injury. Sara Beth Redmon played second base last
season in 42 games. New to the team this season is Amber Hayes who can
play shortstop and first base and brings a power bat to the lineup.
Six
sophomores are on the 2010 roster for Union, including five who are
back for their second season. Ali Bozza played in 33 games last season
but was limited due to injury. Katie Davis was third on the team with a
.358 average and was named an all-conference player. Emily Anthony
played in 19 games for Union. Hailee Edwards is the lone returning
pitcher for Union. She was 12-6 as a freshman. Carmesha Owens played in
32 games last season at third base. The lone newcomer in the sophomore
class is Sarah Freeman who will battle for a spot, but does have a good
pop in her bat.
The
largest class on the roster is the group of freshmen, made up of eight
players. Taylor Bright plays the outfield and has good speed and good
arm. Keaton Kirk, sister of former Union softball player, Kristin, and
daughter of former Union baseball star, Tony, will compete for a spot
in the outfield and will also give quality innings as a pitcher.
Stephanie Saunders will play first and will provide a lot of offensive
power in the lineup. Britney Garner can play several positions and also
has a power bat that gives Union options.
Brooke Thomas is a highly
touted pitcher and will also see time in the outfield. Michelle Piper
pitches and plays in the outfield, but her speed will get her into
games as a pinch runner as well. Caroline George will spend a lot of
time in the pitching circle as a freshman, and is mature beyond her
classification. Sam Giesler is a true utility player that will be in
the lineup and many different spots.
Union
made strides last season as they worked to return to contention for
conference titles. The Lady Bulldogs return several key players on
offense and defense, but will expect a lot from new pitching arms this
season.
