USU tries for BWC title without any seniors
With eight returning starters on a team that features four juniors, eight sophomores and six freshmen, the USU women’s softball team hopes a young core will send them to the top of the conference.
Perhaps most importantly, head coach Pam McCreesh said this year’s Aggies are confident and expect a lot of themselves.
“They truly believe in themselves,” McCreesh said. “Eighty percent of the game is having confidence in yourself.”
She said among the goals the team has set is finishing in the top three of the Big West Conference – a task that would involve moving up at least four spots from last year.
McCreesh said she will try different rotations in the field and in batting order in the first few weeks. The lineup will likely not be solidified until Big West play.
Here’s a position-by-position look at the Aggies:
Infielders
Gone is first baseman and three-time all-league player (two first team selections) Sandy Taylor. Though the Aggies will miss her .370 batting and .987 fielding percentages, there is a lot of returning experience.
Replacing Taylor at first base will be former outfielder Christina Conrad, who started in 29 games as a freshman. Most importantly, McCreesh said Conrad brings valuable leadership to the team.
“Christina is one heck of a leader,” she said.
Junior Heather Curtis and Sophomores Eva DeJarnette and co-captain Stephanie Vaserhely, all returning starters from last year’s squad, round out the starting infield.
Reliability is probably the best way to describe Curtis, DeJarnette and Vaserhely as they combined for 166 starts last season. Vaserhely was an Honorable All-Big West Conference pick last season after finishing second on the team in batting average.
Other players who will see action in the infield include junior college transfer Kara Tarbet, Kristin Mansfield, Shannon Acevedo and Aimee Johnson. Johnson started 46 games for the Aggies last season, while Tarbet was a member of the NJCAA champion Utah Valley State College Wolverines.
Outfielders
The starting lineup in the outfield is still up in the air, McCreesh said.
With centerfielder Markean Neal out with an injury, McCreesh said freshman rightfielder Casey Smith is the only outfielder currently penciled in as a starter.
“[Smith] has one of the best arms I have seen in all my years coaching,” she said.
Danielle Rodriguez, a starter in 52 games last season, will provide the Aggies with much-needed experience as will Snow College transfer Marnie Andrews. Freshman Jenn Hopkins will also be added to the mix.
Pitchers
With the departures of Kelly Warner and Candie Bowden, the Aggies will turn to veterans Kristin Hommel and Xochitl Ramirez to provide valuable experience.
Hommel was go-to pitcher last season for the Aggies as she led the team in wins (10), strikeouts (104), complete games (15) and shutouts (6), among other things. Ramirez was third on the team in earned run average (3.84) and finished the season with six complete games her own.
USU will also be looking to receive an immediate contribution from freshman Lisa Spencer. Spencer finished her high school career at Santiago High School in Santiago, Calif., as the team’s all-time leader in shutouts and perfect games.
“Fans should expect good pitching,” McCreesh said.
Catchers
Once again, the Aggies will be led by what McCreesh called the team’s “emotional spark” – team co-captain Breanne Nickle. Not only is Nickle the Aggies’ emotional leader, her team-leading three triples tied her for second in the BWC.
“Without a doubt, she is our emotional leader,” McCreesh said. “I’m just glad I have the pleasure of coaching her.”
Redshirt freshman Amanda Carlson will back up Nickle. Carlson was a three-sport letterwinner in high school.