"I'm excited about the upcoming season and believe we will continue to improve as we move forward with our transition into Division I," said eighth season head coach Dan Powers. "Our returning players have gained a valuable experience last year about the expectations and rigors of playing a competitive DI schedule."
"We have worked extremely hard in the weight room and expect to see some dividends from all the work we've put in this winter. Our team is in great physical shape and our mental prep is continuing to grow as well," commented Powers.
The Redhawks concluded the 2010 season competing for the inaugural Mountain Division title going into the final series of the season. SU concluded the year 16-32-1 overall, 11-9 PCSC and third in the division.
"Our goal this season is to continue to build up our momentum from where we finished last season. We expect to compete for the top spot in the Mountain Division of the PCSC," Powers' said.
A Look at the Schedule:
This season's boasts another tough schedule, including several squads that are nationally ranked. SU will compete in tournaments at Arizona State, Boise State, the University of Washington and at UNLV prior to opening PCSC conference action. Their preconference schedule includes Arizona State, Brigham Young and Washington, all of which earned a preseason ranking in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 poll.
Seattle U will open up conference action on Saturday, April 9, with a four game series versus Weber State. A key home series will be the weekend of April 22-23, as the defending Mountain Division champs Portland State will travel to Logan Field, and the regular season will cap off with Northern Colorado in May.
"Looking at our 2011 schedule we are very excited to play at Santa Barbara, Arizona State and San Diego," Powers' stated. "We are looking forward to playing in warmer areas of the country until spring comes to Seattle. Portland State will be a great series for us in PCSC play and we get them at our place this year."
Opening the Season:
The Redhawks are opening the 2011 campaign at the UCSB Gaucho Classic I from Feb. 11-13. The Redhawks will open with Western Kentucky in a 10:45 a.m. game and close out opening day with Wichita State at 1 p.m. The following day, SU will square off with Western Kentucky at 1 p.m. and at 3:15 p.m. The Redhawks will close out the weekend on Sunday, Feb.13, with UC Santa Barbara at 11 a.m.
The Returners:
The Redhawks return seven letterwinners, including five starters from 2010. These players will be called on to provide veteran leadership and help the squad grow and develop. The squad will look to sophomore pitcher Jessica Ulrich (Lewiston, Idaho) to carry the load in the circle and pick up where she left off last season. In her rookie campaign, she earned four wins and threw 39 strikeouts. Ulrich is also the Redhawks top returning bat. Last season she hit a team-leading 30 RBIs, behind 29 hits, 27 runs, five home runs, four doubles and a pair of triples, in addition to being named to the All-PCSC First Team.
"Jess is throwing hard and hitting spots, while pitching, and her bat will continue to be a big factor in the middle of our lineup," said Powers.
Behind the plate, SU will see a pair of seniors in Jessica Amador (Whittier, Calif.) and Kate Zender (Enumclaw, Wash.) take charge of the pitching staff. Amador saw action in 42 contests last season and will be looked to provide a lift in the SU offense. Zender played in 24 games, posting 12 starts, and will also be called to provide veteran leadership.
"They both will have major roles in keeping our young staff on track," commented Powers.
In the outfield, senior Katie Gould (Medford, Ore.) will anchor the outfield. She is the only starting returner in the Redhawk outfield in 2011, and enters this season healthy and ready for action.
"Katie will anchor the outfield and be a big part of our offense this season. She finished last year strong and looks like she is fully recovered from her knee injury. I look for her to pick up the table setting role in the beginning of our lineup," Powers' noted.
Sophomore third baseman Allegra Wilde (Kennewick, Wash.) is coming off an All-PCSC First Team performance in 2010. She tallied 29 hits, 16 RBIs, 12 runs, six doubles and a triple in 49 games played and 44 starts.
"Allegra will continue to lock down the hot corner at third base. She had a solid freshman campaign and I expect her to keep getting better each year," said Powers.
Junior Hannah Klein (Camarillo, Calif.) will be moving from the mound to the infield, alternating between first and third base. Klein was named to the All-PCSC Second Team last year, after being called on to pitch a bulk of the Redhawk innings on the mound, while adding 12 hits, 10 RBIs, a pair of runs and a double.
"Hannah will be playing the corners for us this year instead of pitching. I think her bat will be back to the form she had her freshman year and she will bring some needed run support to our lineup," commented Powers.
Theresa Clark (Lakewood, Colo.) improved significantly as the season progressed and will add experience to the infield at second base.
"Theresa came on to the scene as a walk on last year and took over second base half way through the year. She has a lot of pop in her bat and will continue to help us out in the middle of the order," said Powers.
About the Newcomers:
This season Seattle U welcomes seven newcomers to the squad. They will be called on to have major roles both on the field and in the dugout, helping lift their teammates.
Junior college transfer Natalie Leyland (Richland, Wash.) will add experience in the outfield. She currently is a member of the Great Britain National Team and is coming off a solid fall.
"Natalie is going to be a major contributor to our offense this season. She had a great fall for us and looks to be our leadoff hitter with some power potential as well," stated Powers.
Six freshmen make up the class of 2014. Richelle Ashburn (Post Falls, Idaho) was a force on the mound for Seattle U in the fall and will be looked to make a significant contribution this season. Kelli Demianew (Pendelton, Ore.) looked to have decent power at the plate in the fall and will help in the circle, as well.
Brianna Guerrero (Buena Park, Calif.) and Karina Smyth (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) will help hold down the middle infield. Both freshmen have adjusted to the college game very well, according to Powers.
Sarah Petosa (Ashburn, Wash.) adds another fast slap hitter to the lineup. She brings a great arm and range to our outfield which will help SU make great plays in the grass. Classmate Holly Martinez (Fort Collins, Colo.) rounds out the freshmen class. She will look for time in the outfield.
"The freshmen will be called upon to regularly throughout the season," said Powers. "I am looking forward to seeing their progression over the season and them developing into impact players."