|
Scots get greedy, want more than conference title
Release Date:
March 4, 2009
MONMOUTH, Ill. —
Reigning Midwest Conference Coach of the Year John Goddard
isn’t satisfied that his team qualified for the conference
tournament for the first time in five years last season – and his
players aren’t, either.
“Last year our goal was to make the conference playoffs,” said
Goddard. “Once we qualified, we had a letdown. That won’t be the
case this year. The women have set the goal to get beyond the
conference tournament and advance to the NCAA tournament. This is a
very focused and determined group.”
Reaching the national tournament might seem like a pretty lofty
goal considering the team lost four of their top five hitters from a
year ago. Four-time all-conference shortstop Emily Willems
graduated and took her .446 average with her. Also lost to
graduation is catcher Kristen Bickett (.357) and outfielder
Anna Coutts (.295). The Scots also suffered an unexpected
offensive blow when two-time all-league third baseman and academic
all-conference selection Kembra Bell (.349) opted to
concentrate on academics her junior year.
While he wouldn’t mind having those numbers returning, Goddard
isn’t exactly lacking for talent. Fourteen freshman and transfers
will be mixed with 10 seasoned veterans to form what Goddard expects
to be a multi-faceted team.
“We were extremely fortunate to get the amount of quality
recruits that we did,” said Goddard. “We’ve got a good blend of
power and speed. We wanted to build on last year’s successes and
these new players come in with good pedigrees. Some of our new kids
have played on the national stage through the ASA and we expect all
of them, regardless of their national exposure, to contribute.”
Also contributing is the addition of local pitching guru Jeff
Tyrrell. The veteran coach has a plethora of good arms with which to
work.
Sarah Christensen (Galesburg, Ill./Galesburg) enters her
senior campaign as the South Division Pitcher of the Year. She
fanned 73 batters a year ago and is fourth all-time on Monmouth’s K
list. Last year’s No. 2 pitcher, Amanda Murdock (Aledo,
Ill./Aledo), has been “like night and day” in the preseason. The
pitcher who dominated as a prep star has regained that form and
added a four-seam fastball to her repertoire. She is expected to get
plenty of starts in the circle. Crafty senior Ashley Tocha
(Kewanee, Ill./Kewanee) has picked up more velocity to make her
screwball even more effective coming out of the bullpen.
“Coach Tyrrell tells me Ashley has been the biggest surprise of
the pitching staff,” claimed Goddard. “He tweaked her delivery just
a bit and she’s throwing better than ever. The addition of our
pitching coach has really helped develop our younger pitchers and
has strengthened our veterans.”
A trio of freshmen are showing great promise and will deepen an
already strong pitching staff. Elissa Sexton (Rockbridge,
Ill./Greenfield), a hard thrower with “lots of potential” is in the
mix for a spot in the starting rotation. Megan Butler (London
Mills, Ill./North Fulton) and consummate utility player Brittany
Forney (Spring Valley, Ill./Hall) round out a deep bullpen. The
fleet-footed Forney could also see action in the outfield and
infield as well as in the circle. Butler could also log time in the
outfield.
“Elissa can bring the heat,” reported Goddard. “She’s got great
control, but needs to work a bit on her off-speed stuff. Megan is
improving daily and I expect her to get plenty of opportunities
coming out of the bullpen. Brittany is a hard thrower, but she will
probably see more time as a position player.”
If speed kills, the Scots could be deadly, with no fewer than six
players tagged as base stealing threats.
“We have more overall team speed than we have had in the five
years I’ve been associated with the program,” claimed Goddard, who
will also have a good mix of power in the lineup. “We could be
extremely fast and could put together a legitimate lineup that has
six base stealers and three power hitters.”
One of those potential base stealers comes in an unlikely
package. Normally, catchers aren’t known for their speed, but
freshman backstop Lauren Bergstresser (Peoria,
Ill./Richwoods) is routinely among the top three when the
Scots run their speed drills; Forney and senior outfielder Ashley
Parer (Rock Island, Ill./Rock Island) are the other two. A
switch hitter, Bergstresser has power from both sides, but is adept
at reaching base via the slap. She has the early inside track behind
the plate, but junior Natalie Giannini (Richmond,
Ill./Richmond-Burton) has two years collegiate experience under her
belt and is set to spell Bergstresser when needed. Line-drive
hitter Colleen Zumpf (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East), a
freshman, could see action behind the plate or at third once she
“gets her land legs and arms” back after a successful swim season.
Another freshman, 5-foot-10 Danielle Adams (Burlington,
Iowa/Fulton), gives the Scots plenty of candidates behind the plate.
“Lauren is still adjusting to the college game,” said Goddard.
“She’s got a good arm and bat, so we expect her to be a major factor
for us. Natalie will also contribute greatly. She’ll be a great
mentor for our young catchers. Colleen is still a few weeks away
from being in form, but once she adjusts to being on dry land,
she’ll be a valuable bat for us. She makes good contact and won’t
strike out much. Danielle is solid and gives us options to move
people around.”
Two-time all-conference junior Maggie Dort (Spring Grove,
Ill./Richmond-Burton) gets the early nod at first base. The
5-foot-11 Dort possesses an aggressive bat and found a late-season
power surge as a sophomore to tie for the team lead in home runs (3)
and finish the year with the team’s fourth best average (.320).
Newcomer Jessica Markley (Galesburg, Ill./Galesburg) can
attack the ball from the left side and will press Dort for time at
first. With both equal defensively, playing time may be determined
by who’s hitting well.
A pair of veterans are a battling for control of second base.
Sophomore Erin Fitzpatrick (New Lenox,
Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) and junior Val Stier (Avon,
Ill./Avon) split time at second last season. The tandem hit within
eight points of one another last year so, like first, second base
could be determined by who’s carrying the hot bat.
It’s an all-freshman left side of the infield where Morgan
Seiler (Chillicothe, Ill./IVC) will handle the shortstop duties
and converted first baseman Chelsea Merritt (Mapleton,
Ill./Illini Bluffs) moves to third. Like her father, Hall of Famer
Bill Seiler, the younger Seiler possesses a solid bat and glove. A
strong-armed fielder with good range, Goddard expects his freshman
shortstop to hit with power. She could be occasionally spelled by
Forney.
Like Seiler, Merritt has a solid glove and an exceptionally good
arm – and she can hit for power. Zumpf or slick-fielding freshman
Brittany Fox (Stronghurst, Ill./West Central) will serve
as Merritt’s backup.
Parer enters her final season ready to patrol center field. The
contact hitter tied for the team lead in stolen bases last season
(6) and anchors a solid outfield. She’ll be backed up by freshman
Britta Dixon (Aledo, Ill./Aledo), who has also taken some reps
on the infield.
“Out in right field” won’t be a bad thing for Monmouth this
season. Freshman Brooke Twohill (Lemont, Ill./Lemont
Township) is a potential base stealer and the fastest of three vying
for the starting spot. The strong-armed rookie also sports a “very
good” bat with occasional power. Senior Maggie Scudella
(Manhattan, Ill./Lincoln-Way) and transfer Megan Kovacevich
(Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) are also in the mix.
Fans may need a program to identify the left fielder and it’s a
dead heat among three with good wheels. Sophomore Haley Lyons
(Grayslake, Ill./Warren), a left-handed hitter, is getting a
challenge from Forney, who is called the third-fastest player on the
team, and another speedy freshman, left-handed slapper Amanda
Snyder (Brimfield, Ill./Brimfield).
“It’s a real dogfight over there,” said Goddard of his left field
options. “Brittany has the most power and speed of the three, but I
expect all of them to get plenty of playing time.”
Goddard will have a full stable of good bats to use in the
designated player position. Forney or Zumpf will likely fill that
role when they’re not playing defense. Although the lineup looks
like it could have as many as six freshmen in starting roles,
Goddard is confident this team is loaded.
“We will be able to score runs,” claimed Goddard. “We have the
best team speed I’ve ever seen and plenty of power. Those two things
should mean we’ll have one of the most dangerous offensives since
I’ve been with the program. If we can get good pitching and good
fielding, we’ll be in every game. I have high expectations for this
group and they have high expectations for themselves.”
The expectations aren’t just for the Scots’ first conference
title since 1987. They want to become a regional and national
contender. With a healthy mix of slick fielders, speed, power and
pitching, plus a deep bench, the Scots may be on their way to
reaching their goal.
|
