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March 15, 2005
Piper softball eyes second straight conference playoff berth
“We have begun to build a strong tradition here at Hamline and are willing to take some risk and play on the edge this season in our effort to be successful,” seventh-year softball head coach Janelle Tieken said of the softball team’s upcoming 2005 season.
Tieken continuously is reminded about this upcoming season by a quote from Harry Gray that “No one ever achieved greatness by playing it safe.”
Coming off a successful 2004 season where the Pipers finished 26-16 overall, 16-6 in the MIAC and a berth in the first-ever MIAC playoff tournament, where Hamline placed third. The Pipers look to match and even surpass the production of last year this spring.
“There is strong leadership on this team and players that I look to for solid production,” Tieken said.
One player who will be helping to lead the charge for the Pipers this season will be senior Amanda Gage.
Gage, a two-time NCAA Division III third-team All-American, will be expected to give much power in the
lineup and excellent defense in the field playing at second base. Last season she brought in 29 runs and added 16 doubles, four home runs, and two triples.
Senior pitcher Niki Seal will also be looked to for contributions in 2005. Seal broke the school record for wins in a season last year with 22, ending the season with 1.53 earned run average after pitching 192 innings.
“I think that there are several upperclassmen who will be consistent contributors throughout the season,” Tieken said.
Joan Sheedy, Rachael Young, and Emily Gross are three players who will be expected to fill important roles for the team and to produce much needed power in the Pipers’ lineup and solid defense in the field.
Sheedy was an All-Conference honorable mention and All-Region third team selection last season.
Young, an All-Conference first team and All-Region third team selection last spring, finished last season second on the team with 30 runs scored.
Gross started 40 games at catcher for the Pipers in 2004 and hit .302 with 20 RBIs for the season.
Competition has already begun within the team as each player works hard to earn their spot in the lineup.
Stacie Martinez and Holly Wiborg will be taking on the shortstop responsibilities. With Young anchoring the Pipers’ outfield, Kari Lenzendorf, Lindsey Lingl, Shelby Hyllengren, and Marie Gross will be filling in the spots in the outfield.
“Our freshmen pitchers are untested but are working very hard,” Tieken said.
Brittany Nelson and Whitney Strid will be expected to step into a very active role this season as first-years for the Pipers.
“Our spring break trip to Tucson, Ariz., will give all of the players, especially the younger ones, the chance to get a lot of innings in and get ready for the difficult MIAC schedule,” Tieken said.
Hamline starts the season against Colorado College on March 19 in Tucson.
“We definitely will have a bit of a different look this year, with new faces, but we are continuously working hard to get better. But we are excited for the season to get started to see what we can produce,” Tieken said.
The Piper softball team will once again be hosting their home games at Helen Meredith Field, located within the Pat Paterson Field facilities.
The first home game is scheduled for Saturday, April 2, at 1:00 p.m.
Posted by msveum at March 15, 2005 02:07 PM
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