Softball
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last updated 02/17/09

2009

Power-Hitting Golden Bears Look for Another Postseason Run in 2009

The Kutztown softball team made another deep postseason run last season. With most of the team returning in 2009, the Golden Bears will look to advance even further in the postseason this spring.

Entering her 22nd season as head coach, Judy Lawes guided last year’s Golden Bears to the PSAC East regular-season title for a second straight year, and third-place finishes in the conference and NCAA Division II Mid-Atlantic Regional tournaments.

Two All-America performers, who are also the last two PSAC East Players of the Year, return to power the offense that batted .297 as a team and scored 294 runs a year ago. In all, four players who batted over .300 will be returning for the 2009 season.

The offense will be led by senior utility player Ashley Fitzgerald. A 2008 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and Daktronics First Team All-America selection, Fitzgerald batted .427 (79-for-185) in 52 games. The 2008 PSAC East Player of the Year tied for the team lead with 16 home runs, led the squad with 59 RBIs and a .811 slugging percentage. Her 53 career doubles are a school record. A three-time All-PSAC and All-Region selection, Fitzgerald is expected to bat cleanup and play catcher and designated player.

Power-hitting first baseman Steph Denlinger will bat third. Denlinger was a first-team All-Region pick last year. She hit .349 with 16 home runs, 53 runs scored, 55 RBIs, and 46 walks. In 2007, she led Division II in home runs per game (0.24) and slugging percentage (1.11) and set five PSAC single-season records en route to consensus All-America and PSAC East, Regional Player of the Year honors. A three-time All-PSAC and All-Region selection, Denlinger needs seven home runs to break the NCAA Division II career home run record, which currently stands at 62. She already holds the school’s career records for homers, RBIs, walks and total bases.

The Golden Bear infield will also consist of returning veterans. Seniors Kim Morrison (.279, 42 runs), at second base, and Krista Cameron (.318, 37 RBIs, 29 runs), at third base are three-time All-PSAC selections. Cameron has been named to all-region honors three times, while Morrison has been all-region twice. Morrison hit .279 with 42 runs scored, three home runs and 16 RBIs last year. Cameron hit .318 with 29 runs, 13 doubles, five homers and 37 RBIs. Sophomore Kristin Tedjeske (.248, 21 RBIs) returns at shortstop and will also back-up at catcher.

Newcomer Heather Hannum (fr. Horsham/Hatboro-Horsham) will back up Denlinger at first base, while sophomore Alex Najpauer and rookie Nicole Colinari (fr. Scotch Plains, N.J./Scotch Plains-Fanwood) will provide depth in the middle infield.

In the outfield, Maria Schiavo (.316, 37 runs, 17 RBIs) will play left field and bat lead-off. Schiavo was an All PSAC East second team pick. In right field will be Maggie Reifsnyder (.239, 4 HR, 10 RBIs). The center field position is expected to be filled by a newcomer, with Lauren O’Connell (fr. Northampton/Northampton) and Colinari in the mix. Also looking for playing time in the outfield will be Laura Kelly (fr. Stafford, Va./North Stafford) and Sara Golden (fr. Souderton/Souderton).

The designated player spot will be filled by a rotation of players, including Denlinger, Fitzgerald, Colinari and Michelle McGinty (fr. Warminster/Archbishop Wood). Laine Heisler and Cassie Eiden (fr. Scranton/Scranton) will be the bullpen catchers, as well as pinch hitters. Jess Higgins (fr. Nanticoke/Greater Nanticoke) will be used as a utility player.

The ace of the pitching staff once again will be junior Katlin Arbogast. Arbogast went 25-7 with a 1.41 ERA and 252 strikeouts in 213 innings of work last year. Opponents batted just .183 against her. She was All PSAC East first team and All-Region second team selection. Only a junior, Arbogast is poised to add several KU career records to her arsenal. She already is the career record holder for strikeouts (549) and is in range to break the records for wins, complete games, shutouts and innings pitched this year.

In support of Arbogast will be sophomores Mary Hoch (9-1, 1.58 ERA, 47 SO) and Monica Glomb (10-6, 2.15 ERA, 95 SO).

The 2009 season gets underway Feb. 13 at the South Carolina-Aiken Tournament.

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