2010 Outlook
With a new head coach and a third of their letter winners from last year lost, the Walsh University softball will have a new look for the 2010 season. First year head coach Sara Renard and the Walsh Cavaliers look to build on the 2009 season where they went 20-29 (11-9 AMC) and reached the American Mideast Conference tournament. Walsh lost 63 percent of its run production from last season, but do returns five starters, and has brought in plenty of talent to fill the holes.
INFIELD: One of the strongest components of the team involves the return of the talented senior Krystal Sherry (Brunswick, OH/HS). Sherry missed all of the 2009 season due to her commitments in Walsh’s Nursing program. Her return will be extremely beneficial to the Cavs infield that lost three of their four infielders from last season. The former All-AMC North First-Team selectee will be one of the leaders of the team and will start at first base. Her bat should put up major numbers for the Cavalier offense. Sherry hit .401 in 2008, with nine home runs, five triples, 11 doubles and 49 RBI. Fellow senior Jessica Davidson (Akron, OH/Ellet/University of Akron) will also provide leadership as she is expected to make the switch from second base to shortstop, where she made the All-AMC First-Team last year. Davidson hit .404 last year in her first season at Walsh, with three home runs, three triples, 10 doubles and 26 RBI. There will be some new faces rounding out the infield, as a couple of freshmen should make an immediate impact. Kendra Gerber (Sugarcreek, OH/Garaway) and Dana Brown (Uniontown, OH/Lake) will start at third base and second base respectively. Both should hit near the top of the order. Erin Ebert (Fr., Jeromesville, OH/Hillsdale) and Kelsey Ford (So., Boardman, OH/HS) will push Sherry at first base. Look for Ford to also see time as the Cavs designated player. Caitlyn King (So., Salem OH/HS) will back up Brown at second. Jenna Rosso (So., Amherst, OH/Amherst Steele) can also play at short stop when needed. Ashley Walker (Fr., Newton Falls, OH/HS) will add depth at third base.
OUTFIELD: The starting trio that lined the outfield last season all return for this year’s campaign. Left field will once again be patrolled by Ashley Hoover (Jr., Alliance, OH/Louisville). Hoover started 39 games last season and hit .290 with seven doubles. She is one of three remaining members from the 2008 team that won the AMC North title. Center field duties belong to Maggie Yavorsky (So., Norton, OH/HS). She started 18 games last season at the position. Right field will be covered by Jenna Rosso, who started 23 games there in 2009. Rosso hit .268 with seven doubles and led team with 13 sacrifices. When the versatile Rosso is called to play at short stop, Alyssa Reed (Fr., Perry, OH/HS) can be expected to fill in as she will be competing for a starting spot. Other players that could see time in the outfield include Megan Cain (Fr., Springfield, OH/HS) and Megan Perkowski (Fr., Tallmadge, OH/Our Lady of the Elms).
CATCHER: A new face will also be seen behind the plate as freshman Crystal Pfleger (Mogadore, OH/Field) gets the nod. Celsey Raubenolt (Sr., Loudonville, OH/Hillsdale) provides depth, experience, and senior leadership. She too was a member of the 2008 AMC North title team. Julia Suvak (Fr., Parma, OH/Padua Franciscan) will also push Pfleger.
PITCHING: Pitching should be a strong point for the Cavs, as they return three starting pitcher from 2009. This year’s squad has important depth that has four pitchers competing for a spot in the starting rotation. Renard will most likely incorporate a three-pitcher rotation. Sophomores Ashley Virgin (Fairlawn, OH/Copley) and Kelsey Ford return after starting the majority of the games last season. Virgin won 13 games and had 17 complete games and fanned 112 in 141.1 innings pitched. Ford won six games last season in 21 starts with 12 complete games. Krystal Sherry returns to staff as well, and will pitch when not at first base. Sherry has big game experience after participating in the 2008 NAIA World Series, this is a huge plus. Also look for freshman Erin Ebert to contend for a spot in the rotation as well. Katherine Cannell (So., Hillsborough, NJ/Immaculata), the other starter from last year’s team, will pitch in relief when needed and as a spot starter.
SUMMARY: Renard is confident in the talent and leadership that this team brings to the table. They will have a much different dynamic this season in that they will rely on pitching, defense and speed. "I am very confident in the group we have returning, as well as the talented incoming class, noted Renard. “We have great leadership and chemistry on this team, which is a large piece of the puzzle."
