Eagle softball aiming to repeat as champs

By DAVE CLARK

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM - Senior leadership. Chemistry. Work ethic.

For the New Ulm Eagles girls softball team, coach Jim Pearson hopes this is their trifecta for winning.

The Eagles finished the 2001 campaign tied with St. Peter for the South Central Conference championship with an 11-1 record, with the only losses coming in head to head competition. Will the Eagles have to improve on that and their 15-6 overall record in order to repeat as champions?

"I think we'll stand a chance to be right in the thick of things," said Pearson. "I'm expecting St. Peter to be competitive again this year. Waseca, Blue Earth and Fairmont are also improving. But we have senior leadership up the middle and a nice chemistry."

"This year's group is working extremely hard. I think they're seeing a lot of improvement. They have a really excellent work ethic and they're a lot of fun to be around."

Good softball begins with good pitching, which should be an Eagles strength. Senior Cassie Schultz returns to the mound after carrying an 11-3 record and 1.01 ERA in her last year of competition. "Cassie is working really hard and doing an outstanding job. She has an excellent attitude. Cassie should get the majority of work, barring injuries," said Pearson.

Backing up Schultz will be sophomore Jocelyn Janni, who moves up from B-squad. "Between the two, they should be pitching all the innings," said Pearson. Senior Nikki Williams will be the Eagles catcher, coming off a season that saw her with a .296 batting average (BA) and on base average (OBA) of .450 with 12 runs batted in (RBI). "We're expecting good things from her," said Pearson. "She will be a leader."

There are also seniors planted at first base, second base and shortstop. First baseman Jodi Schmidt played a backup role last year, but along with junior Kayla Farasyn, the two will get "the lion's share of work at first base," Pearson said.

Brittany Gorres returns for her second year at second base and third year of varsity play. "She had key hits last year with 12 RBIs and she's one of our tri-captains," said Pearson.

Last year's leading hitter, Allison Boddy, will handle shortstop, bat second, and hope to match and improve on her team leading 28 hits, 24 RBI, .406 BA, .551 OBA and 11 stolen bases. Boddy was All-Conference and All-Journal last year and is a tri-captain of the team.

Leading off ahead of Boddy will be junior third baseman Sheena Steuber, who enters her third year of varsity play. In 2001, Steuber hit .270 with 17 hits, scored 25 runs, walked 15 times, had 16 stolen bases, was on base a total of 43 times and had an .524 OBA. "Boddy and Steuber kind of set the table for us at the top of the order," said Pearson.

Senior tri-captain Christine Wendinger returns for her second consecutive year of patrolling centerfield, coming off last year's .276 BA and .500 OBA. The other outfield positions will be held by a number of possible starters. Junior Cassandra Hibbard joins the varsity from B-squad and junior Rachel Kitzberger "will be seeing action in the outfield early on," Pearson said.

Three others could play either infield or outfield for the Eagles. "Junior Laura Yager could help us out on the infield. Also juniors Stephanie Navara and Jackie Bode, who are both up from B-squad," said Pearson.

The Eagles begin their season with a home game on Monday at 5 p.m. against Owatonna.