2008 Softball Preview
2/13/2008 12:00:00 AM | General
After a one year hiatus, the Seton Hall softball team made a return trip to the BIG EAST Championship in 2007. The Pirates have virutally everyone back from a season ago, and have added depth to their pitching staff.
“Last year was an educational year for us,” head coach Ray Vander May said. “We had one of the toughest schedules we had ever put together, and got off to a slow start. We did not have a full crop of pitchers which did not help either. As the season went on though, low batting averages started to move upward, and defensively we were better, and that helped us get into the BIG EAST Championship last year.”
Vander May believes last season’s early exit from the Championship gives his team a little extra motivation heading into the spring. “A few years ago, we only had one senior and made the BIG EAST Tournament in
The Pirates lost just one senior from a year ago, and Vander May hopes history will repeat itself in 2008.
Senior Jenna Best and junior Kealan Waldron return after leading the team in most offensive categories a year ago. Best, a member of BIG EAST Championship teams in 2004 and 2005, hit .262 with three homeruns and 18 RBI. Waldron tied the single-season school record with a 12 game hit-streak en route to batting .273 with 11 doubles and 17 RBI.
“Jenna Best knows what it takes to be a champion.” Vander May said. “She has two rings, she’s been to NCAA Regionals, been an All-Region First Team Player, and she’s a captain of the team. She’s a great power hitter and she will play a key role in our season.”
“Kealan has been one of our strongest players,” continued Vander May. “She hits for power and has been good defensively. She should show improvement from her experience and be one of the top tier players in the BIG EAST.”
Junior Kim Schweitzer carried the bulk of the pitching duty last season, throwing 202.1 innings, picking up 13 wins, and posting a 4.01 ERA. “I’ve seen a big improvement with Kim this past fall,” Vander May said. “This year she is showing so much maturity, and has more confidence in her stuff. Kim competed for us very strongly for us all year, but I think she will benefit from having a full crop of pitchers to help her out.”
Senior Jessica Jones is slated to be the other starter, and is back after missing the 2007 campaign for personal reasons. In 2006, Jones made 17 starts, going 5-9 with a 2.74 ERA and 97 strikeouts. “We expect a lot from Jess,” Vander May said. “She’s been to two BIG EAST Championships, and we’re really counting on her this year and excited that she’s coming back.”
Sophomore Danielle Zanzalari and the additions of transfer Ashley Forsyth and freshman Katie Stilwell are slated to work out of the bullpen and Vander May believes they will help the overall depth of the pitching staff.
“With this kind of pitching staff, my biggest dilemma is just getting everyone enough work,” said Vander May. “Our staff has a tremendous amount of potential. Each one brings something different to the table, so it will give batters a different look.”
Behind the plate, senior Christa Leighton will see the majority of action, while freshmen Jamie Gates will also see some time. “Christa has really learned how to call a game,” Vander May said. “She puts in a lot of time off the field with working with the pitchers on her own. So she knows how to work the pitchers. She hit very well for us in the fall and I think she’s ready to step up and have a great year.”
The Pirates also have added several other newcomers that could step in and make an immediate impact. Brittany Schillizzi is slated to begin the season at shortstop, while Nalin Bennett and Michelle Reed earned two starting spots in the outfield after strong fall seasons.
“Brittany Schillizzi could be one of the strongest infielders we’ve had at Seton Hall,” Vander May said. “Michelle and Nalin add speed that we did not have last year in the outfield in addition to the players we have coming back.”
At second base, junior Leah Menichetti is back after a solid defensive season and improving her batting average .025 points from her freshman campaign. “Leah has been a starter for two years, and we expect big things. She is very good defensively, and has improved consistently with the bat. She can help us get some wins.”
There is a trio of players looking to round out Seton Hall’s infield. Junior Shannon Pease saw the majority of time at the corner last season, but classmate Amanda Winn had a very productive fall season and earned the job to start the season. Junior Maggie Simkiss is also back after missing all of 2007 with a broken wrist.
“There is quite a battle going on to play first base,” said Vander May. “
Seniors Ashley Constantini and Maura Lund came to Seton Hall as pitchers, but will enter their final year patrolling the outfield. “Ashley has improved every season she has been here, and will battle for time in centerfield,” Vander May said. “Maura has shown that she can consistently make contact with the ball and should be a contributor this season.”
Junior utility player Daria Glynos is a valuable returning member who saw action in 34 games in 2007. “Daria is a player I can put pretty much anywhere on the field,” Vander May said. “She’s even catching a little bit too. The only place we haven’t put her is at pitcher, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she can do that too. She’s an excellent hitter, and will be involved in the action.”
With more pieces in place Seton Hall hopes to build on last year’s experience and gain from it. “I was really excited that we got into the BIG EAST Championship, and played a DePaul team that went to the College World Series,” Vander May said. “We got to see what it takes to get to that level. This year I think we have a much stronger team, and if they come together like I believe we can, this group can make a lot of noise this year.”
