Softball Heads to Desert to Kickoff 2009 Season
2/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
GAME NOTES (.pdf)
The Seton Hall softball team opens the 2009 season at the Sportco Kickoff Classic in
THE MATCHUPS
VS.
FEBRUARY 6 - 1:00 p.m.
SCOUTING THE HERD
VS. UIC
FEBRUARY 6 - 7:45 p.m.
SCOUTING THE FLAMES
UIC went 24-33 overall, but posted a 12-9 record in the Horizon League. Senior Sarah Clynes is the top returning offensive player as well as the number-one starting pitcher for the flames. Clynes hit .370 with 12 dingers and 40 RBI in played in all 57 games. In the circle, she threw 210 innings and notched 15 wins with a 3.70 ERA and 146 strikeouts.
VS. UNLV
FEBRUARY 7 - 1:00 p.m.
SCOUTING THE REBELS
New head coach Pete Manarino brings his 843 career wins to the desert after spending the last 23 seasons at
WALDRON LOOKS TO BUILD ON STELLAR 2008
Senior Kealan Waldron put together one of the finest offensive seasons in school history in 2008 with a .361 batting average, 12 home runs, and 35 RBI. Her 57 hits were the third-highest single-season total in school history. Waldron is in the top-10 in career home runs and doubles, and should crack the list in several more categories as the 2009 season unfolds.
EXPERIENCE IN THE CIRCLE
The Pirates return four of five pitchers from the 2008 season. Senior Kim Schweitzer and junior Ashley Forsyth are both proven commodities as starters, and are slated to split the starting duties to begin the season. Sophomore Katie Stilwell started 10 games last season and could earn a spot in the rotation. Junior Danielle Zanzalari should be a key contributor out of the bullpen.
GOING DEEP
Waldron and classmate Amanda Winn come into the season ranked sixth and eighth on the career home run list, respectfully. Waldron has 16 dingers, and Winn has recorded 11 big flies.
BIG EAST PRESEASON POLL
Seton Hall was picked to finish 12th out of 13 teams in the BIG EAST Preseason Poll. Last season the Pirates were 6-16 in the conference and placed 11th. DePaul was tabbed as the favorite to win the BIG EAST by the conference coaches.
KATIE PIERCE JOINS THE STAFF
Katie Pierce returns to Seton Hall on Ray Vander May’s staff to direct the Pirate infield and coach first base. Pierce was a standout shortstop on the Seton Hall’s back-to-back BIG EAST Championship teams in 2004 and 2005. She currently holds the SHU career records in games played (215), runs scored (131), and doubles (48).
CAPTAINS OF THE SHIP
Senior infielder Amanda Winn and junior pitcher Ashley Forsyth have been named 2009 team captains.
EIGHT JOIN THE SHIP
The Pirates welcome eight newcomers to this year’s squad. Catcher Nicole Loewenstein has an inside edge on splitting the back-stop duties, while the rest of the neophytes should vie for time at their respective positions.
FORSYTH TABBED FOR SCHOLARSHIP
Junior pitcher Ashley Forsyth was one of four Seton Hall students nominated for the Truman Scholarship. The award is handed out to 60 students nationwide that hold junior status who are pursuing a career in public service
