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By Lindsey Ramstetter, NKU Sports Information After two consecutive seasons below .500, Northern Kentucky University head softball coach Kathy Stewart believes “this team has the right attitude, work ethic and ability to put NKU softball back on the map.” With a record of 338-117 at NKU, Stewart hopes this, her 11th season, will bring the Norse back to the NCAA tournament. The Norse made five trips to the NCAA tournament from 2002-2006. Stewart hopes this year’s four seniors can end their careers like they began them, with a trip to the NCAA tournament. As freshmen they helped the Norse come within one game of playing in their third consecutive NCAA Championship. Although expectations are high for returning seniors Cara Parker, Amanda Smith, Katybeth Coode and Shatona Campbell, Stewart is quick to point out that everyone is expected to step up. “We expect anyone that plays, regardless of their role, to contribute to the team winning,” said Stewart of her team. The team will have its chance to showcase its talents February 20-22 when it travels to Decatur, Ala., for the Charger Chillout. The Norse will face fierce competition including Barry University, who ended last season with a NCAA Division II South Region Softball Championship. According to Stewart, “We have to leave it all on the field each time we play, do the little things right, and play to win, and I believe the wins will come; and winning is contagious.” To get back on the map, the Norse will have to be led by the seniors. Parker, a third baseman from Maineville, Ohio, hit .318 and started all 48 games for NKU, fielding at a .943 clip and recording 108 assists. Parker belted five home runs and knocked in 16 runs. She had a four-game hitting streak from April 6-10, 2008, including a walk-off grand slam to defeat Findlay, 8-4. Campbell, an outfielder from Fairfield, Ohio, knocked in 13 runs while hitting .262 in 40 starts and put together an eight-game hitting streak April 13-20, batting .611 with seven RBIs over the stretch. Coode, an outfielder from Louisville belted an NKU single-season record 10 home runs and knocked in 24 runs while slugging .597. Her .399 on-base percentage led the team, as did her seven multiple-RBIs games. Canal Winchester, Ohio, native Smith hit a team-best .319, led the team with 16 doubles and boasted a .400 on-base percentage while splitting her time between first base and the pitching circle. She drew a team-best 18 walks and shared the team lead with 12 multi-hit games, earning All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honors. Smith started all 48 games for the Norse last season, with 18 of those in the circle where she posted a 3.23 earned run average and a 6-8 record. Smith threw three shutouts and struck out 50 while walking only 19. “What makes these players stand out, with all the seniors, we talk about them ending their careers the way they began it, which is competing in the NCAA tournament,” Stewart said.
Juniors Stephanie West, Rose Broderick and Sam Del Vecchio will also try to make their mark to put the Norse back into contention. Broderick hit .308 with 13 doubles, three home runs and 21 RBIs while leading the team with 48 hits. She had a team-high 12-game hitting streak from March 12-30. Del Vecchio earned 10 starts behind the plate in 2008 and responded by hitting .302 with four RBIs. West started 44 games, hitting .282 with 22 runs scored and was 19-for-21 on stolen base attempts. West, an outfielder, also led the Norse with seven sacrifices in 2008. A cadre of talented sophomores returns with a wealth of experience gained last season. Centerfielder Gretchen Lorenz played in 47 games in 2008 with 46 starts. She hit just .192 with 10 RBIs, but her .977 fielding percentage led NKU outfielders. April Ehlers earned All-GLVC second team honors after going .318 at the plate with 21 RBIs and 17 runs scored to go along with 143 strikeouts in the circle. As a pitcher she maintained an 8-15 record with a 4.29 earned run average. Chelsie Roy was the only NKU pitcher with a winning record, going 6-5 with a 3.55 ERA in 25 appearances, including eight starts in 2008. Roy pitched a seven-hit shutout against West Liberty State on April 16, 2008. Catcher Chelsea Toler started all 48 games in 2008, 42 behind the plate, while hitting .248 with 13 RBIs. Toler threw out seven base stealers and picked off one. Jamie Raabe, who saw action in 30 games, primarily as a pinch runner, will also look to make her mark on the 2009 season. Dani Finley, a 2006 graduate of Milford High School, transfers in after one season at Urbana University where she was a first-team All-American Mideast Conference South Division selection and AMC South Division Freshman of the Year. Finley hit .377 in 25 games with a team-best six home runs and 17 RBIs. In the circle, Finley made 15 appearances with 13 starts and nine complete games with a 2.18 earned run average and a 6-5 record. Finley saved one game and recorded the Blue Knights’ only shutout. Four freshmen also join the team looking to make a contribution. Simon Kenton High School graduate Jessica Farris will challenge for time in the infield. Rachael May, a utility player from Westerville, Ohio, Ashley Gates, an outfielder from South Bend, Ind., and Caroline Snyder, an outfielder from Nicholasville, Ky., will also try to make an early impact. |
