Eastern Michigan Athletics
Softball Announces 2016 Leadership Council
1/21/2016 10:34:00 AM | Softball
Haley Hostetler will be apart of the leadership council for the second consecutive season
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Head Coach Melissa Gentile announced the 2016 Eastern Michigan University softball leadership council, Thursday, Jan. 21. Leading the Eagles this season will be senior Abi Clark (Clinton, Mich.-Clinton), junior Abbie Minsker (Howell, Mich.-Hartland), sophomore Haley Hostetler (New Haven, Ind.-Woodlan), and freshman Nicolle Miranda (Wilmington, Calif.-Port of Los Angeles).
The leadership council takes a different approach to traditional team captains, choosing one student-athlete from each class to make up the group. Gentile and her staff leave the decision up to the players, as each class votes for who should represent them.
"I strongly believe that leaders are developed, and although some may possess natural leadership qualities, being a leader is something that you must work on each and every day," Gentile said. "Our Leadership Council is designed to help mentor our leaders for the long term and to give each class of student-athletes in our program a voice. We meet regularly to talk about issues that may arise, points of emphasis that I want to see from the team, and to mentor our leaders in the different styles of leadership. I am proud of the leaders that our team selected for this year and I think they will all do a great job. I look for a lot out of Haley Hostetler as this is her second year being nominated by her class."
An All-Conference selection last season, Clark served as the Eagles' starting first baseman. One of EMU's top hitters, Clark compiled a .362 batting average a season ago. Ranking second in batting average and doubles (9), the Clinton, Mich. native also ranked third in RBI (20) and total bases (65).
Minsker is set to represent the junior class in her third year in the circle for the Green and White. The Howell, Mich. product posted her lowest ERA of her career a season ago in 18 appearances, striking out 11.
Hostetler was voted to the leadership council for the second time in as many years after representing her class in 2015. Prepared to return to her post at shortstop for EMU, Hostetler belted five home runs in her rookie season while tallying 24 runs and driving in 13.
Miranda bolsters a young pitching staff for the Eagles after a successful prep career at Port of Los Angeles. The Wilmington, Calif. native will represent EMU's newcomers.
Eastern kicks off the season on the road, Feb. 12-14, at the Trojan Invite hosted by Troy University. First pitch of the 2016 season against Evansville is slated for 12 p.m., Friday, Feb. 12.
The leadership council takes a different approach to traditional team captains, choosing one student-athlete from each class to make up the group. Gentile and her staff leave the decision up to the players, as each class votes for who should represent them.
"I strongly believe that leaders are developed, and although some may possess natural leadership qualities, being a leader is something that you must work on each and every day," Gentile said. "Our Leadership Council is designed to help mentor our leaders for the long term and to give each class of student-athletes in our program a voice. We meet regularly to talk about issues that may arise, points of emphasis that I want to see from the team, and to mentor our leaders in the different styles of leadership. I am proud of the leaders that our team selected for this year and I think they will all do a great job. I look for a lot out of Haley Hostetler as this is her second year being nominated by her class."
An All-Conference selection last season, Clark served as the Eagles' starting first baseman. One of EMU's top hitters, Clark compiled a .362 batting average a season ago. Ranking second in batting average and doubles (9), the Clinton, Mich. native also ranked third in RBI (20) and total bases (65).
Minsker is set to represent the junior class in her third year in the circle for the Green and White. The Howell, Mich. product posted her lowest ERA of her career a season ago in 18 appearances, striking out 11.
Hostetler was voted to the leadership council for the second time in as many years after representing her class in 2015. Prepared to return to her post at shortstop for EMU, Hostetler belted five home runs in her rookie season while tallying 24 runs and driving in 13.
Miranda bolsters a young pitching staff for the Eagles after a successful prep career at Port of Los Angeles. The Wilmington, Calif. native will represent EMU's newcomers.
Eastern kicks off the season on the road, Feb. 12-14, at the Trojan Invite hosted by Troy University. First pitch of the 2016 season against Evansville is slated for 12 p.m., Friday, Feb. 12.
Players Mentioned
SS/2B
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballThank You, Team 38
Monday, May 07
Overcoming Adversity: A Lauren Holdsworth Feature
Saturday, February 24
Closing Out a Legacy: Michelle Kriegshauser
Thursday, May 18
EMU Softball Signs Alyssa Feiler
Saturday, March 25