Feb. 2, 2005
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- The year 2005 is shaping up to be a good one for Northwestern softball.
After making their second-consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament and finishing fourth in the conference last season, the Wildcats return a wealth of experience along with some of the best talent the Big Ten has to offer.
"We are an older, more mature squad now," NU Head Coach Kate Drohan says. "We had a lot of freshmen and sophomores in our starting lineup last season who got some great experience. This will make the biggest difference with our pitching staff, which will finally be considered a group of veterans."
Three freshmen and four sophomores were regular starters in the field or in the circle for the Wildcats a year ago. While these 'Cats are one year older and wiser, it is their ability and gaudy numbers they bring with them that makes the sky the limit for Drohan's squad.
All told, NU brings back two first-team All-Big Ten selections and a pair of second-teamers, including the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. All four of those honorees also were named to the NFCA All-Mideast Region squad.
That talent begins the season with a stiff test at the Pepsi Arizona Softball Classic, where the Wildcats will face three teams (Kansas, Oklahoma State and Tulsa) receiving votes in the preseason NFCA/USA Today coaches poll along with host No. 3 Arizona.
Northwestern plays two games on both Friday and Saturday, opening the season at Noon CT against New Mexico State. The tourney concludes with a single game on Sunday.
Following is a preview of the 2005 Northwestern Wildcats by position:
OUTFIELD
The lone senior on the Northwestern roster also has the chance to become one of the most prolific offensive 'Cats in school history. Erin Mobley has started every game of her NU career and figures to do so again this season. The past two seasons she has been a first-team All-Big Ten selection.
"I am counting on Erin to be our anchor," Drohan says. "I really think this is her year to shine. In addition to her ability to hit for average and power, she is in great shape and I think we will use her speed more than in the past."
She enters the season ranked in the top-three all-time in batting average (.330), slugging percentage (.467) and on-base percentage (.396) at Northwestern. She also ranks in the top-10 in home runs, runs scored and total bases.
In center field, junior Sheila McCorkle returns after starting every game as a sophomore before a wrist injury limited her to pinch-running duties in the postseason.
"Sheila has great experience starting every game until the injury," Drohan says. "She is vocal, aggressive and knows the game well. She will help generate runs and move runners."
Also vying for time in center and right are sophomores Elizabeth Piatt and Lauren Olson, as well as freshman Kristen Salamon.
"Elizabeth will continue to run for us and get some work in the outfield," Drohan says. "Lauren also ran in some key postseason situations for us and Kristen is an extremely hard worker and very versatile."
Piatt and Olson both scored as pinch-runners in last year's NCAA Tournament.
In left field, sophomores Katie Logan and Jessica Miller return after both seeing starting time as freshmen. Logan spent most of the year in left before the McCorkle injury, then moved to center while Miller started in right.
"Katie and Jessica compliment each other very well," Drohan says. "Katie is a triple-threat player with great speed and athleticism. Jessica has power and a very strong arm."
INFIELD
At the corners, Northwestern returns the most prolific power duo in the Big Ten Conference.
Sophomore Garland Cooper -- a first-team All-Big Ten selection last year--led the conference with a .384 batting average while shattering five NU offensive single-season records as a freshman. After starting all of last year as the designated player, she will man first base this season.
At the hot corner, junior Kristen Amegin returns after a breakthrough year that saw her hit 10 home runs including a pair of walk-off bombs in the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Regional. She also led the Big Ten and set an NU record with 37 walks en route to a second-team All-Big Ten nod.
Combined, the duo clubbed 21 home runs, more than four other Big Ten teams hit all season.
"Kristen and Garland will keep making each other better in the lineup," Drohan says. "Kristen's clutch performances in the postseason show her maturity and confidence while Garland is going to continue to be a force in the conference."
Backing the duo at the corners and seeing alot of time as the DP will be sophomore Megan Hinck, who is also a member of the Wildcat pitching staff.
"Megan will play a big role as our designated player," Drohan says. "She has improved so much during the offseason and has both power and speed. She will fill in on the field in addition to her time in the circle."
The middle infield will be NU's youngest unit this season with junior Ashley Crane competing for time with a trio of freshmen: Stephanie Churchwell, Kelly Odell and Darcy Sengewald.
"We are very young in the middle, but I really like our athleticism," Drohan says. "Ashley has experience and the hardest overhand throw on the team. We are really counting on her to be interchangeable at short and second.
"Stephanie is an elite athlete with fantastic range. Darcy is a very hard worker whose best opportunity will be at second while Kelly is also very quick and very game saavy."
Churchwell will primarily be used as a shortstop while the other three could see time at both positions.
CATCHER
Making her return behind the plate after spending her first two Northwestern seasons at first base is junior Jamie Dotson, who played catcher during her entire high school career. She takes over the reins from graduated J.C. Kira, who was Northwestern's starting backstop the past four years.
"Jamie will be our anchor behind the plate," Drohan says. "She is excited to get back there. She has a quick release and controls the game well."
Amegin will serve as Dotson's backup.
PITCHERS
All three of Northwestern's hurlers return this season, comprising what Drohan calls a "veteran" staff. Junior Courtnay Foster and sophomore Eileen Canney return with a wealth of postseason experience and some phenomenal numbers and accolades, along with Hinck, who was impressive in limited action as a freshman.
"The dynamic of the three is very unique," Drohan says. "They are a true staff, with each one bringing different strengths along with durability and aggressiveness."
Foster enters the 2005 campaign ranked fourth on NU's all-time strikeout list after just two seasons.
Canney ran her record to 19-5 during her rookie season, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year and second-team All-Big Ten accolades.
Hinck earned a save in her first collegiate appearance before carrying a no-hitter into the fourth inning of her first career start as a freshman.