Defiance College 2005 Softball Outlook

DEFIANCE, Ohio— Nothing short than a trip back to Regionals will satisfy the 2005 Defiance College softball team. This year’s Yellow Jackets have a good blend of experience and youth. Eight newcomers join ten returners, including seven who started 25 or more games in 2004. 2004 was a banner season for the Yellow Jackets and this year’s senior class - Chris Moreo, Kalette Peters, Kacy VanderHorst, and Kelly VanderHorst - are hoping to lead the Yellow Jackets to their second consecutive HCAC tournament championship and NCAA Regional berth in 2005.

DC’s infield defense will once again be solid despite the loss of third baseman Sarah Kuhn to graduation. Two seniors who have started 217 games between them, shortstop Chris Moreo and first baseman Kalette Peters, will anchor the infield. Moreo holds the school record for assists and twice has been named to the HCAC All-Conference Team. In 2004 she hit .290 and led DC in RBI’s with 26. Peters was named to the 2004 Central Regional All-Tournament Team and holds the school record for putouts. She was one of DC’s leading hitters in 2004, hitting .345 with 25 RBI’s and 11 doubles. Moreo’s double play partner, sophomore Renee Steffen, had a solid freshman campaign as she started 41 games at second base and hit .250. Several players will compete for the starting job at third base, including Moreo.

Sophomore Monica Sigurdson saw spot action at third base in 2004 and played in 24 games, mostly off the bench as a pinch hitter. Freshman Sara Wlasiuk will also get a long look at third base, as she did a solid job in fall ball. Sophomore Erica Franks joins the team for 2004 and can play either middle infield spot as well as in the outfield. Freshman Sarah Sutter’s athletic ability and versatility will benefit the already strong infield defense as she can and will provide depth at any infield position.

DC’s outfield returns two starters: senior Kacy VanderHorst and sophomore Alicia Allen. VanderHorst, named to the 2004 Central Region 3rd Team and HCAC All-Conference Team, led DC in batting average in 2004, hitting .352. Allen, also named to the 2004 HCAC All-Conference Team, will once again roam the outfield when she’s not in the pitching circle. In 2004 Allen hit .247 and led DC with nine stolen bases. Freshmen Cori Long, Laurel Palk, and Ashley Wickard all will battle for time in the outfield. Long and Palk add the slapping and dragging dimension to the lineup and can do damage on the basepaths. Wickard, also a pitcher, has good pop in her bat and reads balls well in the outfield. Sophomores Franks and Jessica Szuch will also see time in the outfield.

The young DC pitching staff will have a number of pitchers who can step in and contribute in 2005. The pitching staff returns two starters, sophomores Allen and Mandy Crank. Allen came on during HCAC play to be DC’s most reliable starter, finishing 4-1, with a .88 ERA in conference play and 6-4 with a 1.33 ERA overall. Crank will be counted on heavily this season after starting nine games in 2004, finishing the season with a 2-4 record overall, 1-0 in HCAC play. Two freshmen, Robin Diers and Wickard, as well as Szuch, will see time on the mound this spring as well.

The pitching staff has a solid catching corps in which to pitch to as it may be DC’s deepest position. Senior Kelly VanderHorst, a 2003 HCAC All-Conference pick, started 28 games in 2004 and is a fantastic leader behind the plate. Sophomore Jessica Smith started 25 games in 2004, nine behind the plate and 16 as the designated hitter, and was productive, hitting .257 and scoring 17 runs. Freshman Kelsey Sugg will add depth behind the plate and will see time as the designated hitter as well.

The Yellow Jackets are in an unfamiliar position in 2005 of defending a conference title. It’s a position the team is reveling in – they had a taste of Regionals and want to get back again in 2005. The 2005 season promises to be exciting as the Yellow Jackets defend their HCAC tournament championship in their quest for a second straight NCAA tournament appearances.