64 °f Overcast
  • Sat, 04/20 | Softball vs. Occidental L, 5-4 (Final) BX | RC
  • Sat, 04/20 | Softball vs. Occidental L, 6-1 (Final) BX | RC
  • Fri, 04/19 | Softball at La Verne L, 3-2 (Final) BX | RC
  • Fri, 04/19 | Softball at La Verne L, 6-1 (Final) BX | RC
  • Sat, 04/13 | Softball at Cal Lutheran L, 9-1 (Final - 5 innings) BX | RC | LS | V

February 4, 2011

2011 Softball Season Preview

2010 Season Recap
After losing five key seniors in 2009 and adding only two freshmen to the 2010 roster, the Sagehens were forced to face a 33 game season with only twelve players on the roster. With a depleted roster, compounded by a number of injuries, the Sagehens only managed to post a 12-21 overall record and a 5-19 record in conference. However, the team did enjoy some historic moments. The Sagehens became the first softball squad in school history to beat Southern California powerhouse Chapman Univeristy. The Sagehens swept the Panthers 10-2 and 2-1. Alexis Garcia (PI ’11) led the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in batting average, posting a .500 average. Garcia was named to the All-SCIAC First Team and became the first Sagehen in over 10 years to be named to the All-West Region team.

Graduating Players
The Sagehens graduated two key seniors in 2010. Melanie Gularte (PI ‘10) was a force on the mound for the Sagehens in 2010. Despite recovering from shoulder surgery, Gularte pitched 81.2 innings in 24 games and posted a 5.23 ERA and a 5-9 record. Gularte was also named a captain for the 2010 season. In the outfield, the Sagehens graduated Susan Stahlman (PO ’11), who posted a .958 fielding percentage and played in 31 games. Stahlman was also named a captain for the 2010 season.

Returning Outfielders
Four outfielders will return this season to compete for the Sagehens. Emily Buika (PI '12) was named as one of the captains for the 2011 season. Buika’s strong arm and range provided an important weapon for the Sagehens in center field last season and she will continue to be an asset this year. After posting a solid first half in 2010, Jamie Goldberg (PO ’11) suffered a torn rotator cuff that limited her effectiveness in the second half. After successful surgery over the summer, she returns to left field at full strength and will be counted on to provide power at the plate. After a strong finish last season, Cat Ulrich (PO '12) will also return to the outfield for the Sagehens and will be a key batter from the left side of the plate. Christina Scheckler (PI ‘ 13) will also return to the Sagehen outfield after the completion of her P-P basketball season.

Returning Infielders
P-P will return five key infielders to anchor their lineup this season. Alexia Garcia (PI ’11) led the P-P offense in 2010, posting a .500 batting average, .589 slugging percentage, 8 doubles and 13 RBIs. Garcia was named team MVP and Offensive MVP. Shortstop Arianna Roach (PI ’12) posted a .290 batting average with two homeruns and solid defense in 2010. Returning team captain Ali Corley (PO ’11), the Sagehens’ all time single-season home run champion, displayed her power in 2010 batting .302 with 9 homeruns and lead the team in RBIs with 27. She will also be a force at catcher this season with her powerful arm. Brianna Marcantoni (PI ’12) was our team MVP last season and will continue to be a key player at first base and at the plate. Marcantoni posted a .350 batting average with 13 RBIs and 3 homeruns in 2010 earning her a spot on the All-SCIAC Second Team. Kathryn Rabak (PO ’13) will also be expected to contribute at third base and catcher. Rabak hits 7 doubles last season and posted 9 RBIs.

Returning Pitcher
Carolyn Cross (PO ’13) returns to the mound for the Sagehens this season. Cross led the Sagehens on the mound in 2010 as a freshmen pitching 117.1 innings in 26 games and posting a 3.70 ERA with 66 strikeouts. Cross also posted a .281 batting average with 2 homeruns and 10 RBIs at the plate.

Newcomers
Pomona-Pitzer will add nine freshmen to their roster this season. After competing with only two pitchers last season, the Sagehens look forward to adding depth to the pitching rotation with freshmen pitchers Caitlyn Hynes (PO ’14), Marilyn Cresswell (PO ’14) and Nickelle Raschick (PO ’14). Georgia triplets Lauren Boden (PO ‘14), Stephanie Boden (PO ’14), and Allison Boden (PO ’14) will add depth to the infield and play important roles at the plate. Gina Bock (PO ’14), Jamie Garcia (PO ’14) and Shannon Julius (PI ’14) will add speed to the outfield.

Season Outlook
The Sagehens have a tough SCIAC road ahead of them this season where they will face perennial rivals Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Redlands, both of whom earned berths to the NCAA Division III Regionals last year. They will also face Pennsylvania’s venerable Swarthmore College for the first time and nationally ranked Linfield College. However, with a solid returning core and a plethora of talented new faces, the Sagehens should make a run for the SCIAC playoffs this season. Always a strong offensive force, the Sagehens will add enough depth and speed to their pitching, defense, and offense this spring to hopefully send them back to the SCIAC playoffs for the first time since 2008.