Pitching depth fuels optimism
Sports Information Department – 112 Dods Hall
Phone (716) 673-3100 / Fax (716) 673-3136
CONTACT: Jerry Reilly,
Sports Information Director
DATE: Thurs., March 12. 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Softball
FREDONIA, N.Y. -- A 4-0 start to the 2008 season gave the Fredonia State softball team a ray of optimism. A lack of pitching depth eventually proved the team's undoing, something the 2009 team should not have to endure.
Seven players are listed as pitchers on the pre-season roster, only one of them a holdover from last's year's 11-24 campaign. If head coach Lorrie Corsi has his way, junior right-hander Andrea Devon won't even come close to the 70 innings she logged last year when she was pressed into service in the circle. In her stead, Corsi has infused the pitching staff with five freshman, one sophomore, and one junior.
Based on the non-traditional fall season and winter indoor drills, it's safe to say the Blue Devils have never had as much pitching talent on one team at the same time. The freshmen are right-handers Jennifer Tighe, Ashley LaPorta, Lauren Larson, and Allison Ghyzel along with left-hander Michelle Lattner. Sophomore right-hander Jessica Nelson and junior right-hander Rebecca Zimmerman are also new to the program.
Tighe (outfield), LaPorta (second base), Larson (third base), Lattner (first base and outfield), and Zimmerman (third base) could all find themselves as position players on days when one of the others is pitching. Nelson is also an option at first base and as a left-handed pinch hitter.
Zimmerman, a transfer from Jamestown Community College, and freshman Brittany Lis were members of the Fredonia State's SUNYAC championship volleyball team in the fall. Some of their work ethic has already worn off on their spring-sport teammates. Lis has been splitting time between second base with several teammates, among them freshman Gabrielle Ciccarello, and at catcher with fellow freshman Katie Turvey. Turvey's bat is middle-of-the-order variety.
In addition, freshman shortstop Courtney Wight, a solid defender, should give the Blue Devils just one more new face in the starting lineup. Sophomore Rachel Burrows has been backing up Wight and other teammates at several positions, while junior Jessica Connelly, a Monroe Community College transfer, has been backing up at both corner outfield spots.
Among the returning players, Devon and fellow co-captain Brittany Connell will likely return to their more natural positions of first base and left field-respectively. Connell played some first base last season when Devon was forced to pitch. They will be joined by two other holdovers -- sophomore outfielders Maria Siderakis and Amy Coniglio. The speedy Coniglio took over in center field late in the season while Siderakis was second on the team in hitting (.333), Devon led the team in RBI (22), and Connell hit a team-high three HRs. Connell is the lone senior on the 2009 roster.