2009 Softball Season Outlook
February 25, 2009 | Softball
Feb. 25, 2009
BOSTON - When the Boston University softball team sprints out on to the field for the first time on Friday (Feb. 27), the squad will have a singular focus on a goal that has remained elusive for the past six seasons - an America East championship crown. With a balanced combination of offense, defense and pitching, head coach Shawn Rychcik has constructed a squad that is more than capable of fulfilling these expectations.
Now in his fifth year at the helm, Rychcik has built the program around his six-member senior class - his first recruiting class since taking over the reigns of the program.
"I brought those six in and all six are graduating as members of the team, which is the most important thing for me," said Rychcik. "It is my first recruiting class as head coach and those kids have stayed with me. For me, they have been the anchor for four years and what I have built this program around."
As opposed to last year's squad, which was a youthful mix with 10 underclassmen, this year's edition has a heavy dose of leadership and experience that will surely guide the newcomers through the early stages of the season as they become accustomed to the program.
Seniors Brooke Hudson and Christy Leath, both mainstays in the Terriers' lineup over the past three seasons, have been appointed co-captains for the 2009 campaign after displaying the ability to lead the team through words and action.
"Christy is a real `lead-by-example' player and as a second-year captain she will be asked to take on a bigger role in guiding this team, while Brooke emerged last year as a player who the team respects and will follow," continued Rychcik. "As a senior she took on the role of leader long before being appointed captain."
Adding a new dynamic to the already established squad is this year's rookie class, which consists of a talented blend of speed, strength and smarts that will provide depth at nearly every position on the field.
"These freshmen came in ready to learn and have a high retention rate for what we are trying to teach them," noted Rychcik.
INFIELD
The Terriers' infield established itself as one of the strongest in the conference and in the nation last season, leading the America East in fielding (.972) and double plays (26) and finishing 26th and third, respectively, in those categories among all Division I NCAA teams.
Over the past three seasons, the infield lineup has remained consistent with Leath anchoring the defense at catcher, Hudson and fellow senior Melissa Dubay holding steady at third base and shortstop, respectively, and junior Rachel Hebert providing a reliable glove at first. In 2008, then-freshman Melanie Delgado was a great addition to the infield as the Terriers' second baseman.
This year should be no different, as Rychcik is confident in the infield's defensive abilities as well as what it brings to the Terriers' offense.
Leath has backstopped the Terriers time and again since arriving on campus three years ago and has been an integral part of the pitching staff's success. In addition, she has been a constant in the lineup. Last year, with her batting numbers down just a tad from 2007, Leath more than made up for it by drawing a program-record 37 walks in 2008, finishing 16th in the nation in that category. A two-time America East All-Conference Second Team honoree and the 2007 AE Player of the Year, she finished the season hitting .240 in 51 games with 16 RBI and a .418 on-base percentage.
"Even though her numbers were not as potent as the year before, she was a productive player," said Rychcik. "We are looking for leadership from her and to be in charge of the pitching staff again this year."
Following another impressive offensive campaign, Dubay heads into her final season in the scarlet and white with high expectations to repeat her accomplishments from 2008. The America East All-Conference First Team honoree batted .351 with 28 runs, eight doubles, seven home runs and a team-leading 31 RBI. Most impressive was her incredible 20-game hit streak that spanned over two months last year. At season's end she was also honored as a TPS Louisville Slugger All-Northeast Region Second Team player.
"I don't know if people realize how good of a year she had," said Rychcik. "She runs the defense, sets plays and brings leadership and consistency."
Playing to Dubay's right in the infield is Hudson, who has not only been solid on defense, but is known to make spectacular plays on the left corner. She batted .247 in 52 games last year with a team-leading 12 doubles to go along with 37 hits and 17 RBI.
"Brooke is an outstanding third baseman. She can come in to get the bunt as good as anybody in the country and she is a great start to double plays," continued Rychcik. "She really emerged last year as our leader and we will need her in that role again this season."
On the opposite corner of the infield is junior Rachel Hebert, who hit .239 last year with 25 runs, three home runs - including a grand slam - and 25 RBI. The 2007 America East Rookie of the Year, Hebert earned second-team all-conference honors as a sophomore.
"We are expecting big things for her as a junior," said Rychcik. "She is in outstanding shape right now and we will be leaning on her in a leadership role. On the field she will be expected to drive in runs in the middle of the order and possibly steal some bases."
Rounding out the infield is sophomore Melanie Delgado, who made an immediate impact on the Terriers last year but will have to wait a bit before picking up where she left off as she will begin the season on the sidelines due to injury. In her rookie campaign, Delgado earned a spot on the America East All-Rookie team after hitting .225 with five doubles, one home run and 17 RBI. Complimenting her offense was her strong defense, as she earned a .973 fielding percentage.
"She is one of the defensive anchors that was so good at turning the double plays last year," said Rychcik. "Once she heals fully from her injury her numbers will pick up, just as when we recruited her."
Senior Megan Coughlin, who can be used as a third baseman and in pinch-hitting situations, brings leadership and another voice of experience to the team. In eight appearances, Coughlin hit .273 with three hits and an RBI against Binghamton.
Adding depth at the catcher position is sophomore Caitlin Rentler, who appeared in 17 games as a rookie and earned the start in eight contests. She recorded three hits - including a double - one run and an RBI.
"Caitlin will also see time as a designated hitter," said Rychcik. "She probably had one of the biggest turns from freshman year to sophomore year on the team."
Joining the Terriers' infield is newcomer Erica Casacci, a native of Plantation, Fla., who comes to BU after a successful high school career at the athletically renowned St. Thomas Aquinas. She was a three-time Miami Herald All-Broward First Team honoree and All-State First Team selection as a senior. The speedy second baseman will bring a left-handed bat to the lineup and has the potential to see time at the top of the order due to her speed along the base paths and ability to swipe bags.
"She bunts, slaps and will swing away," said Rychcik. "She has really grown into her own since coming on campus, and has become very comfortable. She had an outstanding fall, batting at the top of the lineup. She was very confident and will be a big part of our offense this year."
Casacci's club teammate, Emily Roesch - a native of Palm Beach, Fla. - will add versatility to the infield and has proven to be a quick study as a rookie. Her high school squad won the 6A State Championship her freshman and sophomore years and was the runner-up as a senior.
"She will be our utility player and has learned some new positions in the offseason," noted Rychcik. "Eventually she will be our shortstop and she is very gifted and strong."
Hailing from Mesa, Ariz., freshman Kayla Kruper, who was a two-time East Valley Region First Team honoree and three-year letter winner at Dobson High School, will bring speed to the lineup and likely be used as a pinch runner early on.
"She worked hard increasing her speed and strength during the offseason," said Rychcik. "I also think she has a good awareness of the field and will be a good addition to the infield."
OUTFIELD
Returning senior Shayne Lotito will be expected to produce the way she has in years past, by getting on base and swiping as many bags as possible. In 2008, she finished with a team-high 18 stolen bases and was only caught once. For the season she hit .306 and crossed home 27 times, while hitting six long balls and driving in 22 runs.
"One of her best qualities is her work ethic, and it's really paid off with her strength and speed," said Rychcik.
In the center of the outfield will be sophomore April Setterlund, the 2008 America East Rookie of the Year, who led the team in batting with a .354 average and was tied with Hudson for the lead in doubles (12). In addition, she showed speed along the base paths with 14 stolen bags - second only to Lotito.
"She has become that good of a hitter that we want to move her down in the lineup to an RBI spot," said Rychcik. "She continues to improve and could be one of the best players in the conference."
Moving over to right field, junior Rachel Moeller gained valuable experience as a sophomore, seeing more time in the field and in the batter's box. In 25 games, she collected 13 hits and drew 16 walks with seven RBI and nine runs.
"Rachel has a very strong arm in the outfield, and will be on one of the best outfields in the conference," said Rychcik. "We are going to have a very strong defensive team."
Returning for her fourth season is Nora Militz, a left-handed hitter who will see time as a designated hitter and in the outfield. She hit .211 last year with 15 hits, two doubles and 12 RBI.
"Nora has a great work ethic," said Rychcik. "She brings a nice left-handed stick to the lineup."
Joining the outfield this year will be newcomer Christina Valdes, who comes to BU from Madison, Wis., where she played for James Madison Memorial. During her time at the high school, she was a two-time second-team all-conference selection and a three-year starter in right field.
"She's an outfielder who can help out with catching duties," said Rychcik. "She's confident on the field and understands the game."
PITCHING
The pitching staff, which has been traditionally strong, returns three starters from last year, all of which have been honored by the conference during their careers.
Junior Cassidi Hardy, a two-time America East All-Conference Second Team honoree, will lead the trio after amassing 14 wins in the circle last year with a 3.17 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 27 appearances. Hardy held opposing batters to a stingy .206 batting average and collected six shutouts.
"Cassidi is looking to have a more consistent year, but did have a good season in 2008," said Rychcik. "When healthy, she can be one of the best pitchers in the league."
Junior Megan Currier, the 2007 America East Pitcher of the Year, went 9-9 last year with three shutouts and seven complete games. Rychcik is looking for productive innings from the right-handed pitcher and points out her calm demeanor on the mound and ability to get out of jams as her strengths.
"With her experience, she will be asked to carry a lot of innings this year," said Rychcik. "She is a drop ball pitcher, and does a really nice job of getting out of jams. She pitches to our strength, which is our defense."
Sophomore Kelley Engman was a nice addition to the pitching staff last year and in 25 appearances earned a 6-6 record and owned a 4.42 ERA with 53 strikeouts and two shutouts. For her efforts she was named to the conference's All-Rookie Team.
"Kelley had a great offseason and a really good year in the weight room," noted Rychcik. "She has gotten stronger and her velocity has gone up a bit. The thing about her as a freshman was that she was a very confident person who was able to come in during a big situation."
THE SCHEDULE
In 2009 the Terriers will face five teams that made appearances in the 2008 NCAA tournament and at least four Atlantic 10 teams and three Big East schools. BU will open the first month of its 2009 campaign on the road and will return to BU Softball Field to host at least 11 contests. The five featured NCAA tournament teams are Sacramento State (Feb. 28; March 1), Long Island (March 14), Lehigh (March 22), Massachusetts (April 15) and America East champion Stony Brook (April 18-19), as all five squads received automatic bids for winning their respective conference championships.
With everything in place and the wheels in motion, the 2009 edition of Boston University softball is ready to fulfill its promise and bring home the America East Championship trophy for the seventh time in program history.
