Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: EMU Athletics/Randy Mascharka
Eagles' Expectations High for 2012 Campaign
1/19/2012 4:05:00 PM | Softball
The Eagles return 13 players and welcome eight new faces in 2012
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — After posting the second-best winning percentage in program history and making its first return to the Mid-American Conference Championship Tournament since winning it in 2007, the Eastern Michigan University softball team is eager to get back on the field this spring.
The Eagles, who went 26-18 (12-8 MAC) last season, lost four to graduation but retain 13 on the 2012 roster and welcome eight new athletes this year.
After falling short in making MAC Tournament appearances for three consecutive seasons, the Eagles finally overcame that struggle and secured a spot as the fifth seed in the 2011 Conference Championships, but back-to-back losses to Ball State and Kent State sent the Green and White home earlier than desired. This season, Head Coach Karen Baird expects her experienced team to not only return to Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio, but to make a run at the conference title in 2012. She recognizes her senior class as one of the significant factors that will help achieve this goal.
“It was such a burden for us to carry in trying to get back into the tournament,” said Baird, “We have gotten past that and gained experience and bring back a driven senior class that is hungry for a MAC Championship. They expect nothing less this season, and the rest of the team is feeding off of their enthusiasm.”
Leadership will not be lacking this spring, with co-captains Sarah Gerber (North Canton, Ohio-Hoover), Jessica Richards (Canton, Ohio-Jackson) and McKenna Russ (North Canton, Ohio-Hoover), joining fellow seniors Allison Scherer (Stow, Ohio-Stow-Munroe) and Kaylee Tolliver (Amanda, Ohio-Clearcreek). Each has seen significant playing time in their careers, and with seven freshmen on the roster, they should prove to be valuable assets for guiding the Eagles this season.
Gerber returns for her final campaign with the Eagles. A two-time First Team All-MAC selection, Gerber started at catcher in 37 games last season. She has been an asset behind the plate for the Green and White, committing just two errors in 2011 to boost her career fielding percentage to .988, the second best by any EMU player. She also demonstrated her accuracy and arm strength at the catcher position, picking off a conference leading 11 runners in MAC games. Offensively, she cranked out 45 hits in 134 at bats for an overall clip of .336.
Richards will primarily see time at the third base, where she started in all 44 games last year. Richards was named First Team All-MAC in 2011 after a successful junior campaign. She swiped 24 bases in 25 attempts, putting her in the EMU records books as just one of four EMU softball players to steal 24 or more bases in a season. A likely leadoff hitter this spring, the speedy left-handed slapper connected on a team-best 54 hits in 2011 and scored 41 runs for the Green and White—the second most runs scored in the EMU individual season record books.
Russ, who will likely start in left field and hit in the three or five-spot, put together a stellar offensive effort in 2011. The First Team All-MAC Selection hit for the Eagles' second-best individual season batting average of .415 through 38 games, collecting 49 hits with 25 RBI and 18 extra-base hits. She also made the NCAA Division I record books after connecting on her 11th hit in as many plate appearances to tie the third best streak ever recorded – a span that lasted from March 29 through April 1.
Scherer will be coming off of an injury suffered this fall. As a proven power hitter in previous seasons, Scherer will look to resume that role and provide an offensive lift in key situations. She appeared in 23 games in 2011, starting in eight, and served primarily as a designated player for the Eagles.
Tolliver is a lefty-lefty who will be competing for a spot at first base or as designated player. The Amanda, Ohio native started in 13 games for the Green and White last year, driving in six runs and knocking four extra-base hits. An elevated confidence at the plate should put Tolliver in prime position to contribute in her final season according to Baird.
Aside from Gerber, Richards and Tolliver, the Eagles' infield will return Nellie Coquillard (Niles, Mich.-Niles) at second base. The junior should provide a powerful bat to the EMU lineup after coming off of a 34-RBI campaign last season. She tallied 31 hits for the Eagles, 12 of which were for extra bases.
Amanda Stanton (Homer Glen, Ill.-Lockport Township) will take over the role at shortstop after EMU lost Stacie Skodinski to graduation last spring. Although Stanton saw limited action in 2011, Baird is confident in her ability to embrace a starting role in 2012.
“One of the things that excites you with Stanton is her attitude and the enthusiasm she brings everyday,” Baird notes. “She has improved offensively in the offseason and is a great defensive player.”
Courtney Nicholson (Navarre, Ohio-Canton Central Catholic) will vie for time at first base after coming off of a .265 season at the plate in 2011. Baird mentions that she enters this spring more relaxed and should be a valuable asset defensively for EMU's infield.
A few new faces will also look to earn playing time in the infield. Junior-transfer Courtney Loe (Bedford, Mich.-Bedford/West Liberty) comes from West Liberty University. She will primarily serve as the back-up catcher and should see action in mid-week contests. Loe will also provide some support at the plate, as she led WLU in batting average (.305) last season.
Freshman Jenn Lucas (Pinckney, Mich.-Pinckney) could see some innings in the infield or outfield this season, and Baird notes her athleticism as one factor that will help make that happen.
Fellow rookies Kelli Janiczek (Canton, Mich.-Plymouth), Amanda Herron (Columbus, Ohio-Saint Francis De Sales), Katie Fenech (Northville, Mich.-Northville) and Melissa Felkey (Tecumseh, Mich.-Tecumseh) also have the potential to contribute with duties according to Baird. Janicek will provide help as a bullpen catcher, while Herron's bat could help find her way into the lineup. Fenech may see time as a pinch hitter and Felkey's strong arm and speed will be an asset to EMU's outfield.
The outfield should be solid with the retention of three everyday players. With Russ set in left, junior Katy Blaharski (Carleton, Mich.-Airport) will maintain her role in centerfield. The quick lefty-slapper will provide speed and experience on both sides of the game.
“Blaharski is a great leader, and I expect big things from her this spring,” said Baird. “She is the type of athlete that is always looking to elevate her game.”
Lindsay Smith (Seville, Ohio-Cloverleaf) will get looks in right field after starting in that position 23 times last season. Baird notes her hard work in the offseason should help attribute to a more consistent performance defensively. She also adds that Smith's ability to step up to challenges will help her adjust to hitting from the right side after spending 2011 as a lefty-slapper.
Perhaps one of the biggest improvements last season was the Eagles' pitching staff, moving from 10th in the MAC in earned run average (4.57) to third overall in the conference with a team ERA of 3.04. Much of that progress resulted from the performances of starters Lauren Wells (Lowell, Ind.-Lowell) and Jenna Ignowski (Niles, Mich.-Niles). Both return for the Eagles this spring.
Assistant Coach Marissa Young is excited to see her pitching staff take the field, and notes that expectations are high this season.
“Expectations are high, but the key is that they are doing the little things daily to help meet these expectations,” said Young. “They are pushing themselves every day to get better, and it should put us in a great position once season is underway.”
Wells, a Second Team All-MAC and All-Freshman honoree, returns after showcasing an impressive rookie season. The lefty went 9-6 on the year and 5-3 in conference play. She posted a 2.13 ERA in MAC contests, good for second in the conference, and held MAC hitters to just a .250 average. Coach Young is anticipating these numbers to continue into the 2012 campaign and sees Wells to be a solid starter once again for the Green and White.
Ignowski is also returning after posting solid numbers for the Eagles last year. The 2011 Academic All-MAC selection recorded a 13-7 record in 28 appearances. In 118.1 innings of play, she fanned 121 batters and held opposing hitters to a .232 clip. She also threw seven complete-game shutouts (second-best in the MAC), four of which were against conference opponents and was named MAC West Pitcher of the Week on three separate occasions last season.
New to the staff are Lindsay Rich (Perrysburg, Ohio-Perrysburg) and Jessica Wilkes (Glen Ellyn, Ill.-Glenbard South).
Rich has shown promise in the fall and has made the necessary adjustments transitioning from high school to college-level pitching.
Wilkes will be coming off of an injury suffered in the fall, but Coach Young anticipates her to step in and throw spot innings for the Green and White this season.
Sophomore Shaina Peters (East Jordan, Mich.-East Jordan) could also see time on the mound as well or may be called upon to pinch run for the Eagles.
Overall, the staff should provide a diverse arsenal in term of pitches and speeds—something that excites Coach Young.
“Our pitchers are all different and compliment each other very well,” said Young. “This will give us the opportunity to keep opponents off balance and give hitters a different look throughout the game. The pitchers have bought into this and are embracing their strengths.”
Those strengths will help the Green and White as they open their season at the Central Florida Tournament on Feb. 24-26 in Orlando, Fla. The Eagles' 10-day swing through the Sunshine State will give Baird an opportunity to put a lineup into place that will help EMU reach its primary objective in 2012 — a MAC Championship.
The Eagles, who went 26-18 (12-8 MAC) last season, lost four to graduation but retain 13 on the 2012 roster and welcome eight new athletes this year.
After falling short in making MAC Tournament appearances for three consecutive seasons, the Eagles finally overcame that struggle and secured a spot as the fifth seed in the 2011 Conference Championships, but back-to-back losses to Ball State and Kent State sent the Green and White home earlier than desired. This season, Head Coach Karen Baird expects her experienced team to not only return to Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio, but to make a run at the conference title in 2012. She recognizes her senior class as one of the significant factors that will help achieve this goal.
“It was such a burden for us to carry in trying to get back into the tournament,” said Baird, “We have gotten past that and gained experience and bring back a driven senior class that is hungry for a MAC Championship. They expect nothing less this season, and the rest of the team is feeding off of their enthusiasm.”
Leadership will not be lacking this spring, with co-captains Sarah Gerber (North Canton, Ohio-Hoover), Jessica Richards (Canton, Ohio-Jackson) and McKenna Russ (North Canton, Ohio-Hoover), joining fellow seniors Allison Scherer (Stow, Ohio-Stow-Munroe) and Kaylee Tolliver (Amanda, Ohio-Clearcreek). Each has seen significant playing time in their careers, and with seven freshmen on the roster, they should prove to be valuable assets for guiding the Eagles this season.
Gerber returns for her final campaign with the Eagles. A two-time First Team All-MAC selection, Gerber started at catcher in 37 games last season. She has been an asset behind the plate for the Green and White, committing just two errors in 2011 to boost her career fielding percentage to .988, the second best by any EMU player. She also demonstrated her accuracy and arm strength at the catcher position, picking off a conference leading 11 runners in MAC games. Offensively, she cranked out 45 hits in 134 at bats for an overall clip of .336.
Richards will primarily see time at the third base, where she started in all 44 games last year. Richards was named First Team All-MAC in 2011 after a successful junior campaign. She swiped 24 bases in 25 attempts, putting her in the EMU records books as just one of four EMU softball players to steal 24 or more bases in a season. A likely leadoff hitter this spring, the speedy left-handed slapper connected on a team-best 54 hits in 2011 and scored 41 runs for the Green and White—the second most runs scored in the EMU individual season record books.
Russ, who will likely start in left field and hit in the three or five-spot, put together a stellar offensive effort in 2011. The First Team All-MAC Selection hit for the Eagles' second-best individual season batting average of .415 through 38 games, collecting 49 hits with 25 RBI and 18 extra-base hits. She also made the NCAA Division I record books after connecting on her 11th hit in as many plate appearances to tie the third best streak ever recorded – a span that lasted from March 29 through April 1.
Scherer will be coming off of an injury suffered this fall. As a proven power hitter in previous seasons, Scherer will look to resume that role and provide an offensive lift in key situations. She appeared in 23 games in 2011, starting in eight, and served primarily as a designated player for the Eagles.
Tolliver is a lefty-lefty who will be competing for a spot at first base or as designated player. The Amanda, Ohio native started in 13 games for the Green and White last year, driving in six runs and knocking four extra-base hits. An elevated confidence at the plate should put Tolliver in prime position to contribute in her final season according to Baird.
Aside from Gerber, Richards and Tolliver, the Eagles' infield will return Nellie Coquillard (Niles, Mich.-Niles) at second base. The junior should provide a powerful bat to the EMU lineup after coming off of a 34-RBI campaign last season. She tallied 31 hits for the Eagles, 12 of which were for extra bases.
Amanda Stanton (Homer Glen, Ill.-Lockport Township) will take over the role at shortstop after EMU lost Stacie Skodinski to graduation last spring. Although Stanton saw limited action in 2011, Baird is confident in her ability to embrace a starting role in 2012.
“One of the things that excites you with Stanton is her attitude and the enthusiasm she brings everyday,” Baird notes. “She has improved offensively in the offseason and is a great defensive player.”
Courtney Nicholson (Navarre, Ohio-Canton Central Catholic) will vie for time at first base after coming off of a .265 season at the plate in 2011. Baird mentions that she enters this spring more relaxed and should be a valuable asset defensively for EMU's infield.
A few new faces will also look to earn playing time in the infield. Junior-transfer Courtney Loe (Bedford, Mich.-Bedford/West Liberty) comes from West Liberty University. She will primarily serve as the back-up catcher and should see action in mid-week contests. Loe will also provide some support at the plate, as she led WLU in batting average (.305) last season.
Freshman Jenn Lucas (Pinckney, Mich.-Pinckney) could see some innings in the infield or outfield this season, and Baird notes her athleticism as one factor that will help make that happen.
Fellow rookies Kelli Janiczek (Canton, Mich.-Plymouth), Amanda Herron (Columbus, Ohio-Saint Francis De Sales), Katie Fenech (Northville, Mich.-Northville) and Melissa Felkey (Tecumseh, Mich.-Tecumseh) also have the potential to contribute with duties according to Baird. Janicek will provide help as a bullpen catcher, while Herron's bat could help find her way into the lineup. Fenech may see time as a pinch hitter and Felkey's strong arm and speed will be an asset to EMU's outfield.
The outfield should be solid with the retention of three everyday players. With Russ set in left, junior Katy Blaharski (Carleton, Mich.-Airport) will maintain her role in centerfield. The quick lefty-slapper will provide speed and experience on both sides of the game.
“Blaharski is a great leader, and I expect big things from her this spring,” said Baird. “She is the type of athlete that is always looking to elevate her game.”
Lindsay Smith (Seville, Ohio-Cloverleaf) will get looks in right field after starting in that position 23 times last season. Baird notes her hard work in the offseason should help attribute to a more consistent performance defensively. She also adds that Smith's ability to step up to challenges will help her adjust to hitting from the right side after spending 2011 as a lefty-slapper.
Perhaps one of the biggest improvements last season was the Eagles' pitching staff, moving from 10th in the MAC in earned run average (4.57) to third overall in the conference with a team ERA of 3.04. Much of that progress resulted from the performances of starters Lauren Wells (Lowell, Ind.-Lowell) and Jenna Ignowski (Niles, Mich.-Niles). Both return for the Eagles this spring.
Assistant Coach Marissa Young is excited to see her pitching staff take the field, and notes that expectations are high this season.
“Expectations are high, but the key is that they are doing the little things daily to help meet these expectations,” said Young. “They are pushing themselves every day to get better, and it should put us in a great position once season is underway.”
Wells, a Second Team All-MAC and All-Freshman honoree, returns after showcasing an impressive rookie season. The lefty went 9-6 on the year and 5-3 in conference play. She posted a 2.13 ERA in MAC contests, good for second in the conference, and held MAC hitters to just a .250 average. Coach Young is anticipating these numbers to continue into the 2012 campaign and sees Wells to be a solid starter once again for the Green and White.
Ignowski is also returning after posting solid numbers for the Eagles last year. The 2011 Academic All-MAC selection recorded a 13-7 record in 28 appearances. In 118.1 innings of play, she fanned 121 batters and held opposing hitters to a .232 clip. She also threw seven complete-game shutouts (second-best in the MAC), four of which were against conference opponents and was named MAC West Pitcher of the Week on three separate occasions last season.
New to the staff are Lindsay Rich (Perrysburg, Ohio-Perrysburg) and Jessica Wilkes (Glen Ellyn, Ill.-Glenbard South).
Rich has shown promise in the fall and has made the necessary adjustments transitioning from high school to college-level pitching.
Wilkes will be coming off of an injury suffered in the fall, but Coach Young anticipates her to step in and throw spot innings for the Green and White this season.
Sophomore Shaina Peters (East Jordan, Mich.-East Jordan) could also see time on the mound as well or may be called upon to pinch run for the Eagles.
Overall, the staff should provide a diverse arsenal in term of pitches and speeds—something that excites Coach Young.
“Our pitchers are all different and compliment each other very well,” said Young. “This will give us the opportunity to keep opponents off balance and give hitters a different look throughout the game. The pitchers have bought into this and are embracing their strengths.”
Those strengths will help the Green and White as they open their season at the Central Florida Tournament on Feb. 24-26 in Orlando, Fla. The Eagles' 10-day swing through the Sunshine State will give Baird an opportunity to put a lineup into place that will help EMU reach its primary objective in 2012 — a MAC Championship.
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