February 22, 2010

2010 RedStorm softball preview

Rio Grande --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm women's softball team is ready to get the 2010 season underway. After a third place finish in their final season in the American Mideast Conference and a 21-win season in 2009 the RedStorm feel pretty confident heading into their initial season in the Mid-South Conference.

Rio Grande returns an outstanding core group in 2010 led by seniors Leah Hamman (Lexington, OH) and Kaylyn Heading (Hilliard, OH). Rio Grande head coach David Pyles will count on his two seniors heavily this season. "Both seniors are solid at the plate and we will need them both to provide a lot of our offense," Pyles said.

Hamman, honorable mention All-AMC a year ago, is the top hitter returning. She led the 2009 team with a .412 batting average. She also led the team in home runs (4) runs scored (39), RBI's (25), triples (5) and stolen bases (22).  "She played left field last year, we may move her to center," Pyles said. "She has improved every year."

Heading moved to catcher last season after playing third base and shortstop earlier in her career and handled the switch seamlessly. Heading (.321, 3 HR, 23 RBI) was honorable mention All-AMC last season. "She handles our pitchers well and gives us good leadership," Pyles said. 

Junior shortstop Amber Bowman (Hebron, OH) is another veteran who will be counted on for leadership. Bowman (.250, 0 HR, 22 RBI) was one of the top run producers on the team last year and made honorable mention All-AMC in the process. "She has worked very hard in the off-season and we look for her to have a good year," Pyles said. 

Also returning for the RedStorm are sophomore pitchers Anna Smith (Ross, OH) and Allison Mills (West Chester, OH). Smith (12-7, 1.65 ERA) was a 1st Team All-AMC performer in 2009 as the ace of the staff. Her freshman season was highlighted by a perfect game and a no-hitter in a doubleheader versus Point Park.

Mills (8-8, 4.05 ERA) also proved to be very capable in the pitcher's circle and both Mills and Smith will need to be strong this season for Rio Grande. 

"Both have experience and we should be strong in the circle," Pyles said. 

Pyles runs down the keys to having a successful season. "As always we need to do the basic fundamentals," Pyles said. "We have two veteran pitchers, so we have to have good pitching. We must play good defense, we have improved from last year and should be sound all the way around and we have to score runs and get everyone hitting well, not just our top 3 or 4 but 1 through 8." 

Other returning players for Rio Grande are sophomore outfielder Marissa Lennox (Gahanna, OH). Lennox hit. 213 with one home run and six RBI's last season while manning the right field position. Sophomore Chelsie Brooks (North Lewisburg, OH) is back at first base. Brooks hit .244 and had 7 RBI last season. Utility infielder Stevie Sharp (Grayson, KY) also returns and gives Rio some versatility in being able to play multiple positions. 

Sophomore Lindsay Stevens (Bellefontaine, OH) played first base and did some pitching for Rio Grande last season and will likely battle for time in those roles again this year. Stevens went 1-0 in two appearances in the pitcher's circle and had one complete game in 2009. 

Sophomore Nicole Sargent (Pataskala, OH) returns as a key bat off the bench and will likely contend for time at the designated hitter spot. Sargent batted .278 with one home run and eight RBI's last season. 

Rio does return a solid core of players, but will also have plenty of youth on the roster with five freshmen. "Our youth and inexperience is an area of concern heading into the season," Pyles said. "We start league (MSC) play so early that the freshmen are going to need to get their jitters out of their system very quickly," Pyles said. "Every freshman is going to be a key in some way, somehow."

Among the freshmen, Katie Fuller (Hamilton, OH) is a likely starter at second base. Kaitie Stewart (Pleasant Hill, OH) is a southpaw outfielder who did some pitching in high school but will not likely pursue that spot in college. Kaylee Walk (Unionville Center, OH) is another in a long line of players from Fairbanks High School in the Marysville area to suit up for the Rio program. Walk will challenge for playing time in the outfield. Mackenzie Rucker (Proctorville, OH) will back up behind the plate and in the infield and Jessica Gall (Mt. Vernon, OH) will join the squad at the conclusion of the basketball season. 

One newcomer for Rio Grande is transfer Jaymie Rector (Heath, OH). She is a sophomore, but has four years of eligibility after attending Ohio University last year. "She will be our lead-off hitter and anchor third base," Pyles said. 

Coach Pyles gives his outlook for the season. "We are joining a new conference. Its' going to be interesting to see new teams. Based on research it looks like Georgetown and Campbellsville will be the top teams we are going to have to beat," Pyles said. "We have a strong non-conference schedule with Fairmont State, West Virginia State and the University of Charleston, all good (NCAA) DII programs."

"We have Madonna scheduled to be here at our place March 18^th. They are a Top 20 program," Pyles added. "If everyone stays healthy we should have a very good season. I like the make-up of this team."

Pyles has always set lofty goals for his teams and 2010 is no different. "As always our goal is to reach the national tournament. So we may toy with our line-up early in the season, but we want to be at the top of our game come conference tournament time," he said. 

Rio Grande was picked to finish 6^th in the Mid-South Conference pre-season coaches' poll. Despite the prediction, Pyles believes his team can come and compete in year one in the MSC. "In all honesty I think we can come in and immediately compete for the conference title," he said. "I'm always a very optimistic coach, I have been over the years and sometimes that optimism has worked out and sometimes it hasn't, but I think we can come in and compete." 

The Mid-South Conference regular season begins in early March with the MSC Tournament scheduled for April 30 - May 2 in Danville, Ky.

Rio is scheduled to open up, February 24 at the University of Charleston.