Ball State University Athletics
2007 Softball Season Preview
February 05, 2007 | Softball
2007 Softball Season Preview
Ball State softball looks to head in a new direction under first-year head coach Craig Nicholson. Nicholson says his team's biggest challenge is to change the current mentality of the BSU program.
"Changing the mentatlity of the team will be an important factor for our team's success this year," Nicholson says. "We need to learn how to win games, how to hold on to a lead to close out games and how to play with confidence so as a team we expect to go in and win each game."
Ball State is coming off multiple losing seasons and has not made the Mid-American Conference Tournament since 2002, yet the goal for the Cardinals remains lofty -- capturing a MAC Championship.
"Our non-conference schedule will give us the chance to get better as the year goes along," Nicholson says. "We want to be playing our best at the end of the year in order to compete for the MAC Championship."
Pitching
Junior Amanda Pick and sophomore Laura Masch lead the pitching staff for the Cardinals in 2007. Elizabeth Milian will also have opportunities on the mound this spring.
Pick, who is listed as a utility player, will have the opportunity to pitch numerous innings this season.
"We will look to Amanda to have a successful junior season both on the mound and at the plate," Nicholson says. "She understands the game very well, and she has the ability to not only be a run producer at the plate, but to also throw with a variety of ball speed and control from the mound."
Masch went through her freshman season battling injuries, but is another pitcher expected to be on the mound in 2007. Milian will get opportunites on the mound and at first base. Nicholson believes Milian has good power at the plate, has a great sense of the strikezone and can hit all over the field.
"With our limited numbers, we are counting on Laura and Elizabeth to contribute for us to be successful."
Behind the Plate
Junior Abby Gross will be the starting catcher for the Cardinals in 2007. Gross has experience at the position, after spending the majority of her sophomore year behind the plate.
"Abby is a solid catcher, who has good arm strength and can block the plate well," Nicholson says.
She led the Cardinals in four hitting categories last year -- hitting .282, recording five home runs, 35 hits and seven doubles.
Outfield
The leader in the outfield for the Cardinals will be senior Kelli Jeziorski. Jeziorski returns after starting all 43 games last season. Allie Pennock and Brittney Jones will also spend a majority of the season in the outfield.
Jeziorksi hit .254 last year and led the team in runs with 23. She played right field a year ago, and while she is expected to remain in right, the senior could also see time in center.
"Jeziorski has a great arm and is one of two senior leaders on this team," Nicholson says. "She will hit high in the lineup after her solid junior performance."
Pennock will play left field and also bat lead off for the Cardinals.
"Allie has great speed and will have the ability to steal bases," Nicholson adds. "In addition, Allie covers lots of ground in the outfield."
Jones is a freshman who has an opportunity to make an immediate impact for the Cardinals this season.
"Brittney will get the chance to play center field as she also has great speed and gets a good jump on the ball," Nicholson says. "She is very athletic and has a very good arm from the outfield. At the plate, she has good power."
Infield
The Cardinals' infield will have some new faces in 2007 and will look for the senior leadership of Taylor Yancey to be productive this season. Yancey started all 43 games at third base last season and will stabilize the infield.
"Taylor brings a tremendous amount of experience to a young team," Nicholson says. "She will look to drive in runs at the plate. A year ago, she hit .224 with four doubles and two triples. We will need that effort again this season."
Kamilah Holle has improved during the offseason and will get the nod at shortstop for the Cardinals.
"Kamilah has all the tools for being a good shortstop," Nicholson says. "She has good arm strength and will be a key component for our team's defense."
Stephanie Talarek and freshman Alisha Etzler are in a position battle to play second base. Talarek is a transfer from UNC-Greensboro.
"Stephanie has a good swing and has the ability to drive in runs," Nicholson adds. "Alisha is a good athete and will impact this team. Whichever player doesn't get the start at second base will be the back up utility player for the rest of the infield."
Katelyn Gunderson and Amber Wolf will spend a majority of the season as a utility player.
"Gunderson is a true utility player that can play a lot of different posistions," Nicholson says, stating Gunderson will see time at right field and at catcher. "She will be able to provide power near the bottom of the batting line-up. Amber is a player that could see quality at bats as the designated hitter. She has good power at the plate, which is important in that slot."
Schedule
Nicholson and the 2007 Cardinals open the season Feb. 17 with a pair of tournaments in Tennessee. IUPUI visits Muncie for the home opener March 8, before BSU travels to Florida and Iowa over spring break. The team's quest to return to the upper echelon of the MAC begins March 30 at Ohio.
