UC Softball Gearing Up For 2010 Season
Olivia Shanz
Issue date: 3/5/10 Section: Sports
Spring is almost here and the Utica College softball team is ranked seventh in the Empire 8 pre-season coaches poll released last Wednesday. Coaches Pat Mineo and Rinae Olsen, former softball player for UC, will lead the Pioneers into 2010 campaign. Utica College finished last season with an overall record of 16-22, including a 4-8 mark in conference play.
After four key seniors graduated last May, the Pioneers need the incoming freshman to step up to the plate. Returning on the mound is starting pitcher Haley Butler, who will look to lead UC to the Empire 8 title this season.
After taking a year off, Madison Dinsmore will also return to the mound along with freshman Stephanie Romanaw. Behind the plate will be junior transfer student from Monroe Community College, Liz Dennis. In her two years at MCC, Dennis helped the Tribunes win a NJCAA Championship. She tallied 101 hits, including 17 doubles, three triples and eleven home runs to go along with her 72 runs batted in.
The outfield consists of junior captain, Claire Gerlach and two-time Empire 8 All-Conference First-Team Kim Martin, as well as two new freshmen. Courtney Rainbow is expected to have a large impact defensively and offensively, and the Pioneers are relying on her speed and strong-arm of Shannon Bailey to contribute to the outfield.
"We're expecting some really big things from our team, we have a lot of young talent and strong returners so I think that we will definitely have a big season," said junior captain Claire Gerlach. "We are all really close off the field and I think we will be able to take that on the field and have it work to our advantage."
The middle infield will depend on senior captain, Angel Donaghue, freshman Jackie Gallagher, and junior, Christine Williams. Freshmen power hitters Bridgette Plummer and Hannah Barton will hold down the corners of the infield. Also seeing time at these positions will be freshman Erika Newton and Brittany Newton, a transfer from Cortland State.
"When we saw that we were voted to finish seventh in the coaches poll we obviously were not thrilled about the results, but instead of getting down about it we turned it around and are using it as motivation for the girls to strive even harder to finish on top of the conference," said assistant coach Olsen. "There were four of us that graduated last year, it was a big hit to our program but I honestly believe that our incoming players will do a fantastic job filling those holes and will surprise everyone with their talent and will to win. Every girl on the team loves softball and is willing to work extremely hard toward success."
Utica College will begin their season in Kissimmee, FL as they take on Westminster College on Sunday, March 14th with an 11 a.m. start time.
After four key seniors graduated last May, the Pioneers need the incoming freshman to step up to the plate. Returning on the mound is starting pitcher Haley Butler, who will look to lead UC to the Empire 8 title this season.
After taking a year off, Madison Dinsmore will also return to the mound along with freshman Stephanie Romanaw. Behind the plate will be junior transfer student from Monroe Community College, Liz Dennis. In her two years at MCC, Dennis helped the Tribunes win a NJCAA Championship. She tallied 101 hits, including 17 doubles, three triples and eleven home runs to go along with her 72 runs batted in.
The outfield consists of junior captain, Claire Gerlach and two-time Empire 8 All-Conference First-Team Kim Martin, as well as two new freshmen. Courtney Rainbow is expected to have a large impact defensively and offensively, and the Pioneers are relying on her speed and strong-arm of Shannon Bailey to contribute to the outfield.
"We're expecting some really big things from our team, we have a lot of young talent and strong returners so I think that we will definitely have a big season," said junior captain Claire Gerlach. "We are all really close off the field and I think we will be able to take that on the field and have it work to our advantage."
The middle infield will depend on senior captain, Angel Donaghue, freshman Jackie Gallagher, and junior, Christine Williams. Freshmen power hitters Bridgette Plummer and Hannah Barton will hold down the corners of the infield. Also seeing time at these positions will be freshman Erika Newton and Brittany Newton, a transfer from Cortland State.
"When we saw that we were voted to finish seventh in the coaches poll we obviously were not thrilled about the results, but instead of getting down about it we turned it around and are using it as motivation for the girls to strive even harder to finish on top of the conference," said assistant coach Olsen. "There were four of us that graduated last year, it was a big hit to our program but I honestly believe that our incoming players will do a fantastic job filling those holes and will surprise everyone with their talent and will to win. Every girl on the team loves softball and is willing to work extremely hard toward success."
Utica College will begin their season in Kissimmee, FL as they take on Westminster College on Sunday, March 14th with an 11 a.m. start time.
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