Even with the loss of an outstanding senior class, the Wittenberg softball team seems to have the right personnel to be competitive in the upcoming 2011 season. Senior captain Jessi Allen cites the girls’ “team first attitude” as the reason for their potential looking forward to the spring.
Last season, the Tigers were fortunate enough to have a phenomenal pitcher in Brooke Boswell, who graduated this past spring. However, head coach Becky Hall has done her homework, bringing in freshman like Rachel Ross and Shelby Ross to accompany junior Anna Kvartunas in replacing Boswell on the mound.
“They will definitely be relied on,” said Allen, who last season received first-team All-NCAC honors.
This year the Tigers are pretty well rounded, which is different from last year when they had a defensive advantage with Boswell. Offensively, Wittenberg returns four out of their five best hitters with Allen, and juniors Fallon White, Jessica Snyder and Tori Amicon. Snyder and White are also notable returning defensive players at the short stop and third base positions.
To prepare for the spring, the Tigers have been hitting three times a week along with lifting and conditioning. All this training they put in over the off-season seems to have had a positive effect on not only their skills and athleticism, but also their relationship as a team. “We just jell a lot better,” said Allen
Big conference match-ups for the Wittenberg softball team this season include Hiram and Denison who knocked the Tigers out of the tournament last year. The Hiram game, Allen says, is one that they are determined to win, having had a rather insulting experience in their game last season due to disorderly fans. This season, Wittenberg will host Hiram, giving the Tiger fan base a chance of revenge on the conference rival.
The softball team has already competed in the Ohio Collegiate Charity Classic, which takes place in the fall and their first home game is against Malone on Friday, March 18th at 3:30 p.m.
(Ben Groff / s12.bgroff@wittenberg.edu)
