Eastern Michigan Athletics
Softball Off to Buckeye Invitational
3/19/2008 2:03:06 PM | Softball
Eagles will play No. 21 Ohio State, Binghamton, Robert Morris and Bowling Green
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EAGLES OFF TO COLUMBUS: After spending the first weeks of the season far from home, the Eagles stay in the Midwest for their next tournament. The Green and White have not played since March 2 after playing 12 games in seven games in California. EMU heads to Columbus, Ohio to participate in the Buckeye Invitational at Ohio State University. Also participating will be Ohio State, Bowling Green and Binghamton. Ohio State, 19-6, is ranked No. 21 in the USA Today/NFCA poll, but unranked in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate poll. Bowling Green is 0-14 on the season, while Robert Morris is 7-7 and Binghamton sports a 2-13 record.
The Eagles and Buckeyes have shared one common opponent this year in Fresno State. The Eagles dropped a doubleheader to the Bulldogs, 0-11 and 3-11, Feb. 25. The Buckeyes defeated Fresno State, 1-0, Feb. 22. The Falcons of Bowling Green, Robert Morris and the Binghamton Bearcats have not shared any opponents with EMU.RARE FEAT: Sophomore Jenny Scherer accomplished one of the rarest feats in softball during a 10-5 Eagle victory over the Toreros of San Diego, Feb. 27. Scherer hit for the cycle, belting a home run, a triple, a double and a single to lead the Eagles to their first victory in the Golden State. It was the first time in program history that anyone hit for the cycle, a rarity in softball. For the game, the sophomore outfielder was 4-for-4 with five RBI and four runs scored. Scherer went backwards in achieving her cycle, hitting a home run in the first inning, followed by a triple in the third, a double in the fifth and ending with a single in the sixth.
SCHERER NAMED MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK: For her efforts during EMU’s 12-game tour of California, Jenny Scherer was named MAC Player of the week for the period ending March 3. It was the second time in her career that she has won the weekly honor. In addition to hitting for the cycle against San Diego, Scherer hit .353 with a .647 slugging percentage for the week, totaling 12 hits, eight RBI, seven runs and two home runs. Scherer also had three multi-hit games during the Eagles’ swing through California.
HITTING THE CENTURY MARK: With the Eagles’ 1-0 victory over Bucknell (Feb. 16) earlier this season, head coach Karen Baird won her 100th game as head coach of the Eagles. Baird is in her sixth season as head coach of the Green and White, steadily improving her program to one of the premier programs in the MAC. Baird reached another milestone this season, picking up her 200th career victory when EMU defeated the University of San Diego (Feb. 29) in a 10-inning thriller at the San Diego Classic.
PLAYING THE BEST: When the Eagles participate in the Buckeye Invitational this weekend, they will be facing their third ranked opponent of the season. Ohio State is ranked No. 21 in the latest polls. EMU has already played San Diego State, ranked 20th at the time, twice and UCLA, ranked fourth. The Eagles are 0-3 against ranked opponents this season and have not beaten a ranked team since defeating No. 21 Louisville, 3-2, March 26, 2006 at the Louisville Tournament. The highest ranked team the Eagles have ever defeated was No. 2 Florida State, 6-5, May 10, 2004.
FRESHMEN ON THE MOUND: After being anchored by upperclassmen for the past several seasons, the EMU pitching staff relies heavily on two freshmen this season. Kari Chambers and Jaclyn Caro have accounted for all six of the Eagles’ wins this season. Chambers (2-5) has a 3.38 ERA in 50.2 innings of work. She has allowed 50 hits while striking out 30 and allowing opponents a .249 batting average. Caro, 4-5 in 51.0 innings pitched, has a 3.53 ERA and a 4-5 record. The California native has struck out 31 batters on the season, allowing opponents to hit .229.
HOME SWEET HOME: When EMU headed west for its spring trip, one Eagle was right at home. Freshman Jaclyn Caro hails from the Golden State, having grown up in Chino, Calif. The Eagles spent their trip in Southern California, right near Caro’s hometown. EMU played games at San Diego State, San Diego, Fresno State and Cal-Riverside, traveling all around the southern tip of California. While in her home state, Caro compiled a 3-4 record with a 3.83 ERA. She fanned 26 batters in 40 innings of work, picking up all three EMU wins during the 12-game swing of California.
LEAP YEAR ACTION: The Eagles made the most of the leap year, playing twice on the year’s extra day. The two games marked the first time since the 1992 season that the Green and White were in action on Feb. 29. It was only the second time that EMU competed on the leap day. EMU went 1-1 this year on Feb. 29, falling to James Madison, 1-6, before defeating San Diego, 1-0, in a 10-inning thriller. The Eagles are now 1-3 on the extra day. The previous leap day action was Feb. 29, 1992, when the Eagles dropped two games to East Carolina, 1-2 and 1-4.
FAMILIAR FACE TO EMU: When the Eagles played a double-header at Cal-Riverside, a familiar face will be in the dugout. Former Eastern Michigan coach Connie Miner is now the head coach of the Highlanders. Miner is the winningest coach in Eagle history, posting a 269-254-2 overall record during her nine-year run in Ypsilanti. She was named the Mideast Regional Coach of the Year following the 1988 season, after posting a 36-21 (21-11 MAC) campaign. She last coached EMU during the 1996 season. Since leaving the Great Lakes State, Miner has coached at San Jose State, North Carolina and now at UC-Riverside. Miner got the best of her former team, defeating the Eagles in a doubleheader, winning the first game, 6-2, before pulling out a slim 1-0 victory in the nightcap.
KARI CHAMBERS NAMED MAC PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Freshman Kari Chambers was named Mid-American Conference West Division Pitcher of the Week, Feb. 19, following the action at the Longwood Lead-Off Classic, Feb. 15-17. Chambers went 2-1 with a 0.86 ERA in the first collegiate action of her career.
She allowed only three hits, one run and fanned five batters en route to the 2-1 victory over Longwood. She picked up her second victory of the year, Feb. 16, when the Eagles defeated Bucknell University, 1-0. Chambers once again pitched a complete game, earning the first shut-out of her young career. She gave up five hits and struck out three to pick up the win for the Green and White. Chambers started the final game of the tournament against Pittsburgh, Feb. 17, giving up seven hits and two earned runs while striking out five batters.
FRESHMEN GROWING UP FAST: When the Eagles took the field for the first time in 2008, the lineup featured a few young faces who certainly did not act like freshmen. Stacie Skodinski began her collegiate career on a good note, hitting .400 (6-15) with a double and a triple while in Farmville, Va. for the Longwood Lead-Off Classic. Kari Chambers also made a splash during her debut weekend, going 2-1 on the mound with a microscopic 0.86 ERA. Pitcher Jaclyn Caro picked up her first victory when she came on in relief against Bucknell, giving up five hits and one earned run to lead the Eagles to victory. Caro also had the lone home run of the weekend for EMU.
DEFENDING OUR TURF: The 2008 Eastern Michigan University softball team looks to defend its Mid-American Conference West Division title and Tournament Championship this season. After capturing the first division title and tournament championship in school history, the team looks to a few familiar faces, as well as some newcomers to help "Defend our Turf."
EMU PICKED SECOND IN WEST: The Eagles were picked to finish second in the West Division by the MAC coaches in the annual preseason poll. Kent State was picked to repeat as East Division champion, as well as to win the 2008 Championship. On the West side, Central Michigan was picked to finish first, with WMU tabbed third, Ball State fourth, Northern Illinois fifth and Toledo sixth. Bowling Green was picked to finish runner-up again in the East Division and Miami was picked third. Ohio, Akron and Buffalo rounded out the East Division poll.
A SEASON OF FIRSTS: The 2007 season was one to remember for the EMU softball program. The team won its first West Division title in school history, as well as capturing its first MAC tournament championship. The Eagles also made the first post-season appearance in program history, traveling to Ann Arbor for the NCAA Regional. EMU’s season ended with losses to Michigan and Oregon State. On the individual level, Lauren Clark was named MAC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, the first time an Eagle has accomplished that feat. Head coach Karen Baird was named Coach of the Year, becoming the first EMU coach to earn the honor. EMU also finished five games above .500 (27-22), the highest since the 1999 season when the team went 31-26. The .551 winning percentage was the highest since the 1994 Eagles went 37-26 (.587).
On the other side of the coin, the Eagles dropped 11 of their first 12 games before regrouping to finish 27-22. The Green and White never lost more than three in a row following the rough start. EMU also rattled off winning streaks of six and eight games during the season.
FAMILIAR FACES: Even though EMU lost some important players to graduation, there will be plenty of experience left. Seniors Ashley Strauss, Jessica Grant and Lindsay Ritz all return to keep most of the infield in tact. Strauss was a second-team All-MAC performer last year, while Ritz was named to the All-Tournament team. Grant is a three-year starter at second base who gives the Eagles a strong defensive presence. Jenny Scherer will now be a permanent fixture in right field after splitting time between designated player and the outfield. Scherer was named First Team All-MAC, as well as to the All-MAC Freshman team after she led the Eagles with 11 home runs. Seniors Stephanie Sabo and Heather Giroux are back to patrol the outfield. Sabo is a valuable bunter, while Giroux uses her speed to get on base. Junior Heather Han returns behind the plate to give the young pitchers a calming presence. Sophomore Michelle Hletko is the only returning pitcher with game experience for the Green and White.
EAGLE NEWCOMERS: With the loss of seven seniors, the 2008 freshman class has some big shoes to fill. Stacie Skodinski will step into the starting lineup at shortstop, a spot left vacant with the graduation of two-time MAC Player of the Year Lauren Clark. Also with the departure of Michelle Lloyd and Aimee Woodrum, the Eagle rotation will rely heavily on freshmen. Jaclyn Caro and Kari Chambers will compete for a spot in the rotation. Lauren Delapaz will compete for time at third base and the designated player, while Brooke Carpenter will look for playing time at DP. Senior walk-on Nicole Prescott will give the Green and White some speed off the bench.
ROAD WARRIORS: Trying to play an outdoor sport in the Michigan spring weather presents quite a problem for the EMU softball team. After playing only eight home games last season, the Eagles are scheduled for 12 this season. The Green and White open up their season on the road, playing in three tournaments. The Eagles play their first 21 games on the road, before returning to Varsity Field to host Cleveland State in a doubleheader, March 25.
TO SERVE MY TEAM...AND COUNTRY: Senior walk-on Nicole Prescott will give the Eagles a much needed boost on the base path or wherever her team needs her. During her time at Eastern Michigan, Prescott has been a prominent cadet in the ROTC program. She is ranked in the top four percent in the country in ROTC, as well as being a member of Phi Epsilon Kappa, a physical education professional fraternity.
RECORDS IN SIGHT: A few Eagles are close to having their names etched forever in the record book. Senior Ashley Strauss has 26 doubles, which is only one away from being in the top 10 all-time. Strauss is also on pace to be in the career top-10 in fielding percentage, RBI and put-outs. Senior Stephanie Sabo has not committed an error since her freshman season, and is on pace to have the all-time greatest fielding percentage. Sophomore Jenny Scherer is well on her way to owning the all-time home run record after blasting 11 last season. After one season, she is already ranked eighth on the all-time list.
THE COACHING STAFF: Head Coach Karen Baird returns for her sixth season guiding the Eagles. Baird has a 195-234 career record over 11 seasons as a head coach, both at EMU and Abion. In her five years as the Eagles’ coach, Baird owns a 97-142 record, including a 50-58 MAC mark. Baird was the first coach at EMU to be named the MAC Coach of the Year, following the historic 2007 campaign. Assistant coach Jennifer Teague is back for her third year on the Eagle staff working with the pitchers and catchers. Assistant coach Eric Oakley was promoted from a volunteer assistant coach this past season. He will be working with the outfielders, as well as coaching base running and strength and conditioning.
