Softball |
Every starter returns for the 2001 East Stroudsburg University softball team headed by All-Conference catcher Erika Lee and designated hitter Casey Dixon and record-breaking pitcher Tina Morak.
And in addition the Warriors have added a second quality pitcher, freshman Monica Sobolesky, to the squad which should help make a team a contender in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference race.
"We're definitely better than last year. The offense should be improved and now we have two pitchers who can take the pressure off of each other and enable both to be successful," said Gunther. Last season, the team relied completely on Morak, who as a freshman appeared in a school-record 36 games, completing 32 of them. She had a 13-20 record, tying the school mark for victories in a season, including five shutouts. "This season, Tina won't have to throw against the same teams as often, especially in both games of a double-header, which will make her much more effective," said Gunther. Sobolesky was an All-State second team pitcher last season for Bloomsburg High School. She helped the team to a 23-2 record and a berth in the district finals. Both pitchers will benefit from the dominating presence of Lee behind the plate. She made both the All-PSAC and and NCAA All-Mid Atlantic Region first team last year as a freshman. The 5-9 Lee batted a team-leading .387, which was third in the conference, with 48 hits in 124 at-bats. She had eight doubles, one triple and one homer.Dixon also enjoyed an outstanding freshman year, hitting .339 as the team's designated hitter. She made the All-PSAC and All-Region second teams. She was the team's top power hitter with 12 doubles, one triple and three homers. The team has one other returning .300 hitter in senior leftfielder Mary Beth Scotch, who batted .307 and hit seven doubles and two triples. Juniors are back at four other positions with 'Nifer Shaw at first base, Deana Geist at second, Tara Greig at shortstop and Jill Higgins in centerfield. All are strong defensive players who are counted on to increase their production at the plate this season. "The junior class will be one of the keys to our success. These players all have been two-year starters and now they have the experience and maturity to go with their talent, " said Gunther.
The other returning starters are senior third baseman Ashling Stevens and sophomore rightfielder Tara Buckley. Outfielder Sarah Kaplan and DP Michelle Salerno and catcher Wendy Witmer also have earned letters. Rounding out the squad are reserve infielders Christy Groff and Dana Parrish and freshman outfielder Kathy Gallagher. "The potential is there for us to be among the top teams in the PSAC East and have a genuine chance to make the playoffs," said Gunther. "With the season so jam-packed, we have to learn to maintain our intensity level and make sure the team is focused and understands that every game counts, not just the games against the top teams such as Bloomsburg," she added.