|
Athletics
Campus Life |
 |
| Augsburg College > Campus Life > Athletics |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
| |
|
|
2008 Augsburg College Softball Season Preview Season outlook story -- click here General Information History Coaching Staff Assistant Coaches Sports Information Player &
Team Information Returning Key Players Key Newcomers Key Losses Season Outlook and Notes: MINNEAPOLIS -- For the Augsburg College softball team, progress and improvement can be measured in a few simple steps. First step -- improve from the beginning of the season to the end. Second step -- improve the team's competitiveness in games. Third step -- improve from last season's 4-34 overall record and 3-19 mark in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Final step -- finish among the top four teams in the MIAC, earning a trip to the postseason playoffs. "My main goal every year is to have our players playing a lot better by the end of the year," said Tim Gormley, entering his second season as Augsburg's head coach. "That's always been my main goal. If they continue to improve, and if they're 100 times better by the end of the year, then my goal would be reached. If they're doing that, then hopefully they're enjoying the game a lot more, and they have a lot more knowledge of the game. It goes back to my teaching. I love teaching the game." Last season, Augsburg had 12 of its 38 games decided by one or two runs, and went 1-11 in those contests. This season, a key goal is to become more competitive in the close games, Gormley noted. "We had so many one-run games that could have went either way," Gormley said. "Last year, what we didn't get, and what we hope to get more of this year, is the key hit at the key time when people are on-base." Five starters return to the Augsburg lineup, combined with some young talent in both the infield and outfield. Experience in infield, battery Westerman returns for her second full year as a starter, and has developed a reputation as one of the top catchers in the conference. Behind the plate, she had a .944 fielding percentage (10 errors in 179 chances), with just 11 passed balls last season. And as a hitter, she put together a .236 average with a team-high 14 runs batted in. "I've had the fortunate experience of working with a lot of leaders, and she's definitely way up there, especially doing the things off the field as a leader," Gormley said. "On the field, I think she's one of the best catchers in the MIAC. You're not going to see a better catcher blocking balls, which encourages the pitchers to feel comfortable. She's a very smart person, very observant and a student of the game." Green pitched 53 percent of the team's innings last season, striking out 67 while walking 51 in 124.1 innings of work, building a 4.56 earned-run average and .332 opponent batting average. Entering this season, Green will be expected to pitch the bulk of the team's innings, though newcomer Melissa Larsen (JR, Andover, Minn.) will also be a part of the pitching rotation. "Last year was the first year that she was given the No. 1 pitching role, and I think she did a nice job of taking that role and making it hers," Gormley said. "I like the 1-2 punch that we've got in Sarah and Melissa. Sarah has become comfortable, and the team is comfortable when they see her in the circle." The middle of the Auggie infield is an experienced one, as starting second-baseman Tiffany Magnuson (JR, Green Bay, Wis.) and shortstop Jolene Ross (SR, Arden Hills, Minn./Mounds View HS) return. Both are coming off of all-conference seasons, as Magnuson earned All-MIAC first-team honors for the second straight year, while Ross earned All-MIAC honorable-mention honors, after being named a first-team selection in 2005. As the team's versatile leadoff hitter, Magnuson led the team with a .377 batting average, ranking 10th among MIAC players in overall statistics last season. She also led the team with 43 hits, nine doubles and 15 stolen bases, along with team-bests in slugging percentage (.456) and on-base percentage (.427). Her .968 fielding percentage (five errors in 158 chances) was also a team-best. "She's as quick as cat. She loves to field the ball, and when you have a second baseman in softball, you need someone who can go laterally very quickly, and she can do that," Gormley said. "She can knock a ball out of the park, but she can also lay down a bunt, and she can slap. She's a triple threat when it comes to her at-bats." Ross played both shortstop and outfield last season, and finished second on the team with a .337 batting average in the No. 2 spot in the lineup. A slap hitter at the beginning of her career, she has broadened her hitting stroke and has emerged as a team leader, Gormley said. "Joey brings us great leadership. She's probably one of the toughest kids I've ever worked with. She absolutely loves the game," Gormley said. The corner infield spots will be filled with newcomers. Newcomer Jennifer Castillo (FY, Minneapolis, Minn./Washburn HS) will fill the third-base spot, while Larsen, Green and Ashley Whittenburg (FY, Brooklyn Center, Minn.) will share time at first base. New faces in outfield "Whitney brings athleticism to her position. She takes good swings at the ball, and she has the potential to be all-conference every year, with her ability," Gormley said. Returner Sarah Mueller (JR, Green Bay, Wis./Southwest HS) will likely fill the right-field spot. Mueller battled arm injuries that limited her to pinch-running duties for most of last season, as she appeared in just 15 games. But she has returned healthy and has shown strong improvement, particularly in her ability to bunt and slap-hit the ball, Gormley said. In center field, newcomer Jessa Hinz (FY, Richfield, Minn.) will be the likely starter, while returner Katie Johnson (SR, Montrose, Minn./Wayzata HS) and newcomer Laura Strandell (FY, Pine Island, Minn.) will also compete for time in the oufield. To return to Augsburg Softball, click here To return to Augsburg Athletics, click here Augsburg College, a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III. This is
the official web
site for Augsburg College athletics. |
