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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Softball Prepares To Open Season
February 13, 2001 | Softball
Feb. 13, 2001
THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING
Leigh Ross-Shaw is generally a positive person.
And, when it comes to her Bowling Green State University softball team, the third-year head coach has a great deal to be positive about. The Falcons have 15 letterwinners, including seven starters and the entire pitching staff, back from a 2000 team that went 33-18 overall, tied for the Mid-American Conference East Division title and advanced all the way to the championship game of the league tournament.
In a 51-game season such as BGSU's 2000 campaign, though, there will understandably be some contests that Ross-Shaw feels could have gone her way, but didn't.
Still, a few games have been gnawing at the coach over the offseason:
A win in just one of those MAC games would have improved BG's 13-7 league record and enabled the Brown and Orange to win the divisional title outright.
As it was, the Falcons shared the crown with Marshall, then lost in the opening game of the league tournament to Central Michigan. BG battled back to win three elimination games before losing to the Chippewas in the championship round.
Ross-Shaw realizes how close the Falcons came to a truly magical season, and hopes the near-misses will leave her troops wanting more in 2001. The season starts this weekend (Feb. 16-18), as the Falcons play five games at the Pepsi Arizona Classic in Tucson, Ariz.
"I think the end of last season may have been a turning point for our program," said the coach. "Winning those three games out of the loser's bracket (at the MAC Tournament) made our kids realize that we had the potential to actually win the tournament.
"We came up short, but still, you could just feel that they finally realized how good they could be."
THREE STARTERS TO REPLACE
Ross-Shaw and the Falcons lost three starters off that team, including First-Team All-MAC selection Erin Zwinck, who split her time between third base and the designated player spot, catcher Colleen Bates, who holds the school's career record for homers, and Carmen Hitterdal, a three-year starter in centerfield.
Ross-Shaw, though, feels that the replacements for those three starters will more than hold their own.
"We have to replace a few starters, but we are more than capable of doing that. Holly Frantz has improved so much as a catcher, and she's really starting to come together, hitting-wise.
"Erin Zwinck has graduated, but Lynsey Ebel has been playing pretty much since she was a freshman.
"Centerfield is kind of a question mark at the outset. But, we have a lot of outfielders to choose from, and they all have played almost every position out there, so I can mix them up as I need."
THE PITCHING STAFF
The Falcons, unlike many teams, utilized a pitching staff last year, and all four hurlers threw at least one shutout on the season. This year, that staff returns intact, and features three juniors -- Andrea Genter, Jessie Milosek and Rebekah Tipton -- along with sophomore McKenna Houle.
Houle and Milosek each had 11 wins and two saves last year, and Genter posted a record of 8-5. Tipton won all three of her decisions a season ago.
All four hurlers had their moments of brilliance in 2000. Milosek's team-best four shutouts included a no-hitter against Kent and a one-hitter vs. Western Michigan in league play, while Houle's three shutouts included a two-hitter vs. Akron in the league tournament.
Genter threw a one-hitter against Ohio State and a four-hit shutout at Marshall, while Tipton two-hit arch-rival Toledo in a game during the team's spring trip.
Ross-Shaw and assistant Amy Kyler can add freshman Jody Johnson to the mix as well.
"Our juniors now have two years of experience, and they are the foundation of a solid staff," said Ross-Shaw. "But, McKenna is also a major asset for our staff.
"I think we proved last year that we could throw any pitcher at any time. They all have experience, and they all have their different strengths.
"Jody will see some time as well. She will probably start the season as a reliever, but she will get her chances."
THE INFIELD
The Falcon infield features four returning starters, including three seniors, with the only new starter being Frantz behind the plate.
Frantz made 20 starts last year, half of those at catcher, and had a team-best fielding percentage of .975. She has made just two errors in nearly 120 total chances over her first two years.
"I love watching Holly play," said the head coach. "She has a lot of energy, she is a good leader, and I think she will make the transition (from Bates) a smooth one behind the plate."
A pair of freshmen, Jenifer Kernahan and Candace Fenton, will battle for time at catcher.
BG welcomes back an all-league first-team performer at first base, where senior Nikki Rouhana will captain the team for a third consecutive year. Rouhana stepped her game up a notch in 2000, continuing her steady fielding while upping her batting average nearly 150 points from the previous year. She hit .327 and led the Falcons with an on-base percentage of .426.
"All of our seniors are great leaders, and `Ro' is one of our best leaders in the field," said Ross-Shaw. "Plus, she is so exciting to watch. I just want her to continue doing what she knows how to do for us."
Junior Natalie Phillips will be Rouhana's backup. Phillips, says the head coach, faces the same dilemma as several of her teammates.
"Natalie is a very good first baseman. It just so happens that she is stuck behind an All-MAC player, but she can do the job, too.
"We have that same situation at a couple of other positions, and that kind of depth is the sign of a good team. It can be frustrating to be the backup, but you just have to make yourself the best player you can be until your time comes."
Angie Domschot returns for her fourth year as a starter, and her second at second base. Domschot, who played shortstop two years ago, moved to the other side of second base last year. She struggled a bit at the plate, but flourished in the field. Domschot still managed to lead the team with 11 doubles and 33 runs scored, with the latter total ranking third-best in school history.
"Angie did not get off to a great start last year, and I believe she started thinking too much," said Ross-Shaw. "Usually, though, seniors don't have that problem. They think, `this is my last hurrah, so let's go out and get this done,' and I look for Angie to get that mentality back.
"Angie did a nice job for us at shortstop, but she is so much better at second. She is a natural second baseman."
Sophomore Jess Jenkins and freshman Marla Murphy will back Domschot. Jenkins could play at shortstop as well.
Ebel split time with Zwinck at third base last year, and now assumes the full-time starting role. When not playing the hot corner, Ebel was the designated player last year.
"Last year, Ebel emerged as a leader for us," said the coach. "This year, I have seen that from the very beginning, and she is helping the other kids become better players.
"I don't think her bat was as hot as it could have been last season, but she just needs to get a little confidence back, and she will be fine."
Liz Tuza, who was injured early last season and was granted a redshirt year, will be Ebel's backup.
"Liz is constantly wanting to learn more," said Ross-Shaw. "She is quickly becoming adept at third base, and she will make a major contribution at the plate this year.
"When she is not in the game at third, she will be one of my top DP candidates."
Johnson will see some time at third base, too, in addition to her pitching duties.
Libby Voshell returns at shortstop after a solid initial season, and Ross-Shaw is excited about Voshell's sophomore campaign.
"What can I say about Libby? She is a true shortstop, such a good athlete, and she gained a lot of experience last year. Now, she is more comfortable in the field, and more confident at the plate.
"Libby is one of the players that could replace the bat of a Bates or Zwinck in the lineup.
"Jess Jenkins is one of those kids who is in the shadows right now, but she is a great player. She is a natural middle infielder, and will see action."
THE OUTFIELD
Ross-Shaw has a number of qualified candidates to play the outfield. The four veterans include a pair of returning starters in senior Jen Domschot and junior Renee Rosemeier. At the outset of the spring, Domschot figured to be the likely candidate to open in center.
"Jen has really improved as an outfielder," said Ross-Shaw, who coached both Domschot twins at Notre Dame Academy before coming to BGSU.
"Two years ago, Jen wanted to play first base, but we had a logjam there, and we needed to get her in the game somehow. She learned to play the outfield as she went.
"Now, though, she really enjoys the outfield, and can provide some leadership out there."
Sophomore Kandice Machain also may get a crack at centerfield, but certainly will be in the mix at one of the three outfield spots.
"Kandice has some good experience, having started 15 games last year," said Ross-Shaw. "The player who can be a leader and take control out there will be my centerfielder."
Rosemeier moved into the starting lineup midway through last season, and capped her year by joining Jen Domschot on the MAC's All-Tournament Team. She had knee surgery over Christmas break, but has returned to practice and will be available for duty in Arizona.
"I don't know how fast Renee will be able to return," said Ross-Shaw. "But, I just can't keep her bat out of the lineup."
Similarly, Crystal Wilson made the coaching staff take notice of her offensive prowess during her freshman year as well as in fall ball. She split time with Rosemeier in right field in the fall.
"I am very excited about the way Crystal hits the ball for a player her size," Ross-Shaw said. "She really puts some power behind it, and I like her fearlessness, too."
Three freshmen -- Kernahan, Fenton and Valerie Tipton -- are also in the outfield mix. Kernahan, a soccer goalie in high school, could battle for the starting job in left, while Fenton will serve as a utility player this season.
THE SCHEDULE
As mentioned, the Falcons will begin the 2001 campaign with a trip to the Pepsi Arizona Classic this weekend (Feb. 16-18). BG also will head to tournaments hosted by Coastal Carolina, Winthrop and Virginia, all in March.
The MAC slate begins with a March 27 home twinbill against Toledo. The 24-game slate features three games against each East Division opponent with the exception of Akron and Ohio (two games), plus three-game sets with UT and Central Michigan from the West, and a twinbill against Ball State.
Other non-conference foes include the Big Ten's Michigan and Ohio State, as well as Notre Dame, Cleveland State, Dayton and Detroit.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Falcons have taken strides forward in each of the past few years, and are looking for a fourth consecutive MAC Tournament appearance. The bar has been raised, however, after last year's runner-up finish, and Ross-Shaw knows that opponents will be prepared for the Falcons.
"We have enjoyed some success, but as I mentioned, I think our players turned a corner at the end of last season. I think they now realize that collectively, they have a great deal of talent, and they just need to work hard and stay focused. If we can do those things, there is no reason that we can't compete with anyone in the conference."
