St. John's University Athletics
2006 Softball Season Preview
2/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 14, 2006
QUEENS, N.Y. - The St. John's Softball team returns 10 letterwinners from last year's 20-30-1 (6-10 BIG EAST) team. Throw six highly capable freshmen into the mix and all the ingredients are in place for the team to get back to its winnings ways. After a 2005 season filled with its fair share of ups and downs, the St. John's softball team is recharged, revamped and ready to play. With a full year as head coach under her belt, Debbie DeJong expects a smoother ride this season as the Red Storm brings a well-balanced squad to the field.
"There is no transition for our girls this season," said DeJong. "Our coaching staff is in place and the team knows what to expect. We're excited about all of the possibilities this season holds for us and feel the pieces are in place for another successful season."
In the offensive scheme of things, the Red Storm returns its top two sluggers, senior Jo Sherlock and junior Tami Hill. Hill had her most successful season in a St. John's uniform, leading the team with a .372 batting average, 33 runs, 58 hits and 14 doubles in 2005. Sherlock has proven to be a hitter pitchers should fear, and last season was no different as she posted a .556 slugging percentage, 38 RBI and eight home runs.
"We lost some leadership from last season's senior class, but I am confident our seniors will step up and fill those roles," said DeJong. "Our sophomore and junior classes have matured significantly over the past year, and I believe the freshmen coming in can impact us right away."
BEHIND THE PLATE
The Red Storm will see new faces behind the plate this season after the loss of four-year starter Jillian Sandoval. Junior Loren Anguiano and freshman Roxann Struble will both see time catching this year's pitching staff. Anguiano, who will also split time between shortstop and the outfield, spent time in her newest position during the team's fall schedule. Seeing action in 33 games last season, Anguiano contributed 15 RBI, four home runs and hit .220.
Struble had a stellar senior season at Don Lugo High School, posting a .415 batting average, five home runs, 20 RBI and first-team all-league honors on three separate occasions. She has the potential to earn valuable time at third base and behind the plate.
AROUND THE INFIELD
Red Storm veterans senior Megan Oliver and junior Tami Hill will be looked upon this season to guide a group of youthful infielders. Defense continues to be the key as three of the squad's returning members posted three or fewer errors around the horn last season. Oliver will spend most of her playing time at third base while filling the leadoff spot in the lineup. She earned third-team All-BIG EAST honors after hitting .308 in league play last season and was second on the team and seventh in the league with 32 runs scored.
Hill will continue to hold down second base for the Red Storm after a phenomenal sophomore campaign in which she recorded career highs across the board. Hill led the team with a .372 batting average, 33 runs scored, 58 hits and 14 doubles. For her offensive efforts, she found herself tied for first in the league in triples (three) and second in batting average.
After earning valuable time in more than 20 games last season, sophomores Bionka King and Danielle Estrada will be back to work this spring. Estrada had a strong freshman outing as she started in 18 games at shortstop, compiling five RBI, two doubles and a .229 batting average. King will be used in both the infield and outfield and started nine games as a freshman. She finished 2005 with a .233 batting average, while contributing seven hits, seven runs and two RBI.
The loss of All-BIG EAST selection and first baseman Allina Sainz will be tough for the Red Storm, but a group of highly touted freshmen will ease the transition. Both Ashley Basilicato and Lauren Lupinetti could see playing time at first base and come to St. John's with impressive high school resumes. Basilicato, a two year captain of her high school team, has garnered both all-league and all-county honors throughout her career and was a solid .310 hitter as a senior. Lupinetti's athleticism will be an asset to the Red Storm lineup as she hit .535 with seven homers and six stolen bases in her senior campaign.
ACROSS THE OUTFIELD
The outfield will be anchored by three seniors this season, all which are known for their solid defense. Blair Belloni and Jessica Marical earned perfect fielding percentages last season and will be back in left and right field, respectively. Belloni, known for her defensive abilities, played in over 30 games last season and scored six runs. Marical has played in all 163 games during her time at St. John's, committing only three errors in her career. She hit .216 last season, drove in six and scored eight.
Two-time NFCA Division I Mid-Atlantic Region selection Jo Sherlock will be back in center field again this season and is a major offensive contributor. She led the team with a .556 slugging percentage, eight home runs, 38 RBI and three sacrifice flies while coming in second with a .302 batting average and 11 doubles. The middle order combination of Sherlock and Hill should be a lethal one, as both were ranked in the top five of the BIG EAST in various offensive categories.
Competing for time in the outfield will be freshmen Alyssa Clark and Melissa Pilley. Pilley is another solid recruit known for her all-around athleticism as a four sport standout from North Canyon, Ariz. Clark had her best season as a senior posting a .444 batting average and earned three varsity letters as a leftfielder.
IN THE CIRCLE
Plagued by injuries during the 2005 season, the Red Storm pitching staff will be rejuvenated by a mix of youth and strong arms. The squad will look to junior Kim Lerch and sophomore Lisa Geer to step up after the loss of Meghan Allman, who had a 3.12 ERA in 21 games last season.
Lerch was forced to shut it down early last spring due to injury. Before getting hurt, she led the staff with a 2.21 ERA over 50.2 innings pitched, struck out 21 batters and earned a 4-4 record. With a healthy junior season, Lerch could easily step in as a leader in the circle.
Geer made a name for herself in her debut season, ranking second in the BIG EAST with four saves, 10th with 91 strikeouts and sixth with 34 appearances. She led the Red Storm staff in all three categories as well as innings pitched and opponent batting average. Over 110.2 innings, Geer posted a 3.67 ERA while holding opponents to a .232 batting average. Although she is only a sophomore, she brings veteran qualities and BIG EAST experience to this season's staff.
Another exciting addition to the red and white is freshman Jessica Foley. She will work to earn time in the circle as well as in the outfield. Foley earned 10 wins with one loss during her senior season, posting a 0.66 ERA over 53 innings. She struck out 22 while walking only three.
"Jess has a good chance of seeing some time if she continues to work hard," said DeJong. "Lisa, Kim and Jess are all competitive in the way that they all want to be on the mound. All three of them have different looks and styles which gives us more depth. We can come out and throw the first few innings with one pitcher and close with another, using a completely different style."
THE SCHEDULE
The Red Storm faces a tough schedule in both non-conference and BIG EAST play. The red and white will compete against nine teams that advanced to the 2005 NCAA Tournament and will play its first 15 games on the road.
Beginning with the Triangle Classic in Chapel Hill, N.C., St. John's will kick off the 2006 season with 15 straight road games. The stretch includes a spring break trip to Florida where the team will tour the state, reaching three different cities while playing in the Stetson University Tournament, Florida State Tournament and at Bethune-Cookman from March 3-12.
After being picked to finish ninth in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches Poll, St. John's will also face the challenge of competing in the expanded, new-look BIG EAST conference. With the addition of Louisville, DePaul and the South Florida into the league, eight teams will now make the conference tournament. All three new programs advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season, with DePaul going all the way to the final eight.
"We are very excited about all of the changes the BIG EAST has made," said DeJong. "The addition of DePaul, Louisville and South Florida has strengthened our conference tremendously. We are looking forward to competing on an even higher level and feel as though we will be ready to do just that."
Conference play will start on the road with back-to-back games in Pittsburgh on March 25 and Syracuse March 26. The team has not played Pittsburgh since the 2004 season when the Panthers edged the Red Storm 2-1 and 4-3 in a doubleheader at Pittsburgh.
St. John's home schedule is highlighted by games against BIG EAST foes and local rivals Rutgers and Seton Hall on April 9 and 15. Villanova will be part of a home conference-doubleheader weekend for Red Storm on April 8. DePaul and Notre Dame will also make the trip to Queens in what could be post-season clinchers for any of the three teams as the games take place in the final weekend of regular season play.
