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By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University softball team endured a dubious first last spring after finishing with a losing record – the first-ever sub-.500 season under head coach Kathy Stewart. But Stewart didn't become the winningest coach in NKU history by accepting such excuses. “Yes, we were young last season,” said Stewart of last year’s squad, which boasted 15 freshmen and sophomores and only one senior, “but honestly, we expect our players to step up and win, regardless of their year.” One year removed from struggling through a 23-25 record, including an 8-14 record in Great Lakes Valley Conference play, the players will have to step up again to compete in 2008. The Norse will be challenged right out of the gate once again this year when they head to Decatur, Ala., for the Charger Chillout where they will face South Region powerhouses Delta State, West Florida and Alabama-Huntsville. Most of NKU’s Chillout foes will already have ten, or more, games under their belt. It is a fact of life for cold-weather teams in a sport whose season begins on Feb. 1. “We go south every year, both due to the weather and wanting to play good competition,” added Stewart, “we can’t focus on that. We have to control what we can control, and go out to play to win.” After Decatur, it’s off to Kissimmee, Fla., for the Rebel Spring Games during Spring Break, where the Norse will take on other cold-weather teams from around the country to get ready for conference play. Though a year wiser, the Norse are still looking for a leader in the dugout. “We don’t really have a ‘natural’ leader. It’s an area where we need to improve,” said Stewart of her squad, which has no seniors. “We are definitely looking for players to lead this team.” Going by the statistics, last year’s leader was Amanda Smith. The junior from Canal Winchester, Ohio, pulled double-duty for the Norse, acting as the team’s No. 1 pitcher as well as the cleanup hitter in the lineup, performing admirably in both roles. Smith hit a team-best .354 average and drove in 26 runs, while striking out just four times all season. In the circle, Smith led the Norse with a 3.05 earned run average and three shutouts. Smith will get some help on the rubber with the addition of freshmen April Ehlers and Chelsie Roy. “[Both newcomers] performed well in the fall, so we are expecting good things from them,” said Stewart of the recruits. Ehlers hails
from Greenville, Ind., where she collected 432 strikeouts
over her last two seasons at Floyd Central High
School. Roy,
who helped lead Grant
County
High School to a 32nd-District championship in 2007, set
career marks for wins and strikeouts while maintaining
a 0.55 earned
run average
in high
school.
Eight of the team’s ten starters in the field return as well, including Rose Broderick, who’s seven home runs in 2007 set a single-season record. A repeat performance in 2008 would make her NKU's all-time home-run leader. Also returning is catcher and base-stealing expert Jenny Weis, who just missed the single-season record with 22 stolen bases while catching nine base stealers herself from behind the plate. Weis also led the team by hitting .438 with runners in scoring position. She will be backed up by sophomore Sam Del Vecchio and freshman Chelsea Toler. Cara Parker at third base also comes back for the 2008 season. Parker lead the 2007 squad with eight sacrifice bunts and 28 runs scored while batting in the No. 2 spot. Chasing the infielders for playing time will be newcomers Gretchen Lorenz and Jamie Raabe, who each saw time in both the infield and outfield during the fall season. The outfield sees two of three starters returning, beginning with hard-hitting Shatona Campbell, who hit a team-best 11 doubles in 2007. Krista Smith, last year’s center fielder, also comes back to patrol the grass for the Norse. One wild card in the mix will be Katybeth Coode, who comes back for her junior season after seeing just two games of action last year before an injury ended her sophomore campaign. Stewart knows that Coode’s left-handed bat will be a huge asset to the Norse lineup. Newcomer Stephanie West, a sophomore transfer from Eastern Kentucky, will also bring a southpaw swing to the plate. “Stephanie will add speed to our lineup,” said Stewart. “She1s proven she is a hard worker and is determined to do well. West hit .462 for the Colonels last season with three runs batted in. West and the rest of her Norse teammates will get to show the hometown fans their efforts early. After NKU’s tests down south, the Norse will open the home portion of their schedule against Grand Valley State on March 16. Missouri-St. Louis and Missouri S&T come to town March 29-30 for NKU’s first conference doubleheaders at home. GLVC foes Saint Joseph’s, Indianapolis, Southern Illinois at Edwardsville and Quincy will each visit Grein Softball Field, while the Norse will take on Findlay and West Liberty State in addition to GVSU in non-conference play at home. No matter what team the Norse play, Stewart will expect results. “Last year’s results were totally unacceptable for what’s expected here." |
