PHILADELPHIA—La Salle Softball heads to Spartanburg, S.C. to open its 2011 campaign Friday at noon, when it takes on Oakland University at the USC Upstate Tournament. The Explorers will also see action against Howard later Friday afternoon, before taking on Lafayette and host-USC Upstate over the course of the rest of their opening weekend.
The Explorers, who don’t host a game at West Field until March 22 when Saint Peter’s comes to town, are opening a 17-game road swing at USC Upstate. After this weekend, the Explorers will have a week off before spending Spring Break (March 7-11) in Florida to take part in the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, FL (March 7-9) and the USF Under Armour Showcase in Tampa, FL (March 11-13). The road stretch concludes in St. Louis, MO with the start of Atlantic 10 Conference play when the Explorers battle the Saint Louis Billikens.
Third-year head coach Brianne Brown is returning seven starters from the 2010 season, while welcoming six newcomers. Brown knows that this season will pose some challenges, but the plan is to take each game one at a time if the team wants to reach its goal in the form of an Atlantic 10 Tournament appearance.
Due to graduation, the Explorers turned over a strong core of talent and leadership in Gina Massaro, Mary Pat Conville, Angelina Bisbiglia and Erica Vile. With those four gone, a void of leadership roles exists for new players to step in to.
“Laura Beth and Ali, as our captains, will obviously step into leadership roles, but also our underclassmen are stepping up in helping to push the rest of the team,” Brown said. “Liz Reed always steps up and even the freshmen class in Emily Moran, Jackie McBride and Megan Hodgson. It’s important to come in as freshman and push the rest of the team, so someone from each class is stepping up.”
“Our goal for this year is to make the A-10s and have a .500 record overall,” Brown said. “We definitely want to play more competitive in the A-10 and hopefully make playoffs.”
With just three pitchers on the staff, health will be important this season.
“Our pitching staff is going to have to lead the team as well. It’s a staff of all seniors, so they’re going to have to lead the team.”
Last season the Explorers endured several injuries, particularly to its pitching staff as Laura Beth McCreesh, Rebecca Turygan and Kristen Paoletti all lost time to injury.
McCreesh has been granted a medical hardship for this season, allowing her to return as a red shirt senior. Returning the senior captain maintains strong leadership and pitching depth for the Explorers in the upcoming season
“I think she’s prepared and has been working out hard,” Brown said. “Keeping DJ [Guinn] and Kristen [Paoletti] healthy, as well, is definitely going to be huge in our success. So far, we’re pretty good and I don’t see any trouble down the line.”
Senior short stop Ali Shepherd looks to pick up where she left off before sustaining her own injury last season. The team captain was one of the most consistent hitters on the team with the team’s fourth-best batting average (.264) and an inability to be struck out before having her season cut short. Senior DJ Guinn headlines the pitching staff and the offense for the Explorers in 2011. Guinn compiled a 3.48 ERA with 84 strikeout in 93.0 innings in 2010, helping her to be credited with five of La Salle’s 13 wins. Pitcher and second baseman Rebecca Turygan returns for her senior season. Turygan’s action will be limited in 2011 due to a lagging injury that kept her out of 41 games last season; however, she will strongly be relied on as a leader.
Juniors Heather Brabazon, Breanna DiTommaso and Shannon Skomorucha all have proved themselves as a threat in the Explorers lineup and in the field. Skomorucha led La Salle with five homeruns, while having 140 putouts from behind the plate. DiTommaso went an entire season without being charged an error. She also demonstrated her power with a homerun against Monmouth last season. Brabazon, who transferred from Saint Joseph’s before last season was an immediate impact, as she batted .225 with three extra-base hits.
Sophomores Liz Reed and Tristan Musho saw significant time during their rookie seasons last year. Reed saw action in all 43 games, where she was an asset at second base as she had 70 putouts along with 68 fielding assists. Musho also showed the defensive skills she can bring to La Salle with 113 putouts in 21 games for the Explorers.
Freshmen utility player Megan Hodgson, third baseman Jackie McBride, catcher/outfielder Kati Cooper, outfielder Jamie Dellinger, second baseman/outfielder Danielle Cullen and utility player Emily Moran bring a lot of talent to the collegiate level that will be expected to be seen immediately.
“I’m hoping they step up and make an impact right away,” Brown said. “Some of the underclassmen are going to be starters, so I’m hoping they make something happen.”
For even more on the Explorers upcoming season, watch the video posted above.
