With their 10th season set to commence in less than 24 hours, the Seattle University softball team is ready to embark on a new era of Redhawk softball. Behind seventh season head coach Dan Powers, the team will commence play in their first full season in Division I and as a member of the Pacific Coast Softball Conference (PCSC). Joining the PCSC marks SeattleU's first season as a member of a DI conference during their decade of play.
"This is the first time we will compete in a DI conference," said Powers. "We are looking forward to being a member of the PCSC and to find success throughout the season, as we have matched up well in the past against these teams."
The Redhawks will compete in the Mountain Division of the PCSC, which will comprise of Idaho State, Northern Colorado, Portland State, Utah Valley and Weber State. Prior to the 2010 season getting off, SeattleU was voted by the coaches to finish in second place, behind defending conference champions Portland State.
"Being voted to finish second in our division is a nice accolade and shows we are doing good things here, but does not add any extra pressure," Powers said. "The players expect to do better than second, but we like playing the underdog role."
This season the Redhawks will look to build upon their 18-20 overall record in 2009, behind 11 returning letterwinners, including five starters.
"Heading into our first season in the PCSC, we are very excited about building new rivalries within our division," said Powers. "Portland State has had the most success the last few years and is the favorite again this season. We are working hard to close the gap and potentially push them for the conference title."
Beginning on the mound, senior Kelsey Reynolds will be Powers prime target in the circle. She went 9-11 last year, including 45 strikeouts and two shutouts in 20 appearances. The three year letterwinner enters this year behind 179 strikeouts and 12 shutouts on her career. Hannah Klein will enter her second season on the mound for SeattleU. She is coming off a nine win season, where she put together 32 strikeouts and three shutouts in 108.1 innings pitched. She was voted Freshman of the Year for Independent Schools and was the MVP of the Independent Championships. Rounding out the trio of SU pitchers is freshman Jessica Ulrich. The Lewiston, Idaho native will compete for time on the mound and see time in relief for the Redhawks.
Behind the plate, junior Jessica Amador returns for her third season at SeattleU. Powers will look to her to be in charge of the pitching staff and build upon her 27 hits, 18 RBIs, 13 runs and two home runs in 2009. Vying for time at catcher is junior Kate Zender and freshman Cailtin Melnychenko. Both will also assume pinch hitting and designated hitting roles, as well.
The infield will be anchored by veteran first baseman Lauren Berin. She is returning for her junior season and will be looked on to provide leadership both in the field and at bat. Berin hit 21 hits, 21 RBIs, 15 runs, four home runs and three doubles in 2009. Senior Megan MacIssac returns to action after redshirting last season. She will move over to third base from shortstop in place of the graduated Jamie Foote. Junior Lauren Carlson will work for minutes on third base, as a backup to the veteran MacIssac. Senior Sandra Hernandez and freshman Theresa Clark will split time at second base. Hernandez saw action in 33 games last season, where she had 14 hits, seven runs, seven RBIs, two doubles and a home run. Freshman Allegra Wilde will be looked to provide an immediate impact, as she will be taking over starting shortstop duties. She is the lone newcomer to earn a starting position in 2010. She has showed a lot of promise of being a big DI softball player in the preseason.
In the outfield, SU will return three letterwinners, including senior anchors Katie Antich and Katie Peterson. Antich returns as the Redhawks big bat, after hitting .380 in 2009. She tallied 41 hits, 22 runs, three RBIs, two doubles and a triple as a junior. Peterson followed, with a .303 batting average, after hitting 36 hits, 29 runs, eight RBIs and seven doubles. Rounding out the trio of Katie's in the outfield is sophomore Katie Gould. After redshirting her true sophomore season in 2009, she returns to the outfield after only seeing action in five games before going down with an injury. Freshman Rosie Harrington will be platooning with the upperclassmen and provide the team with speed off the bench.
"With six seniors on the team this year we are poised to have a solid season," commented Powers. "The leadership of the upperclassmen combined with our talented underclassmen should be a good mix as we head into our first DI season. Everyone has high expectations and are working hard towards accomplishing our goals. The future looks very bright for our program and we hope to make a splash in the PCSC this season."
The Redhawks will kick off the 2010 season at the Red Desert Classic in Saint George, Utah. They will take on Northern Colorado, at 10 a.m. PT, and Brigham Young, at 12:30 p.m. PT, on Friday, February 12. The following day SU will square off with San Jose State at 12:30 p.m. PT and Utah at 3 p.m. PT. SeattleU will close out their opening weekend with Utah State on Sunday, Feb. 14, at 10 a.m. PT.