Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcon Season Outlook
February 22, 2005 | Softball
Feb. 22, 2005
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (BGSUFalcons.com) - As the 2005 season dawns, optimism runs high in the Bowling Green State University softball program. And why not? After all, the Falcons return 12 letterwinners from last year's Mid-American Conference Tournament championship team, including eight of the nine positional starters and three of the four pitchers. Add four talented and versatile freshmen to that list, and it's easy to see why seventh-year head coach Leigh Ross-Shaw and assistant Kyle Jamieson are eager for the coming campaign.
"We had a great MAC Tournament run last year," said Ross-Shaw. "But, we did not consistently play that well for the entire season. We are committed this year to playing the way we did during that four-day period every time we step on the field. We need to have the attitude from day one that we can play with anyone, every day."
The Falcons lost three talented seniors to graduation, including 2004 MAC Tournament MVP Jody Johnson, starting shortstop Jenifer Kernahan and Marla Murphy. Johnson saved her best for last, leading the Brown and Orange to the first league tourney title in school history. Kernahan was a starter from her freshman year, while Murphy provided invaluable leadership despite battling injuries for much of her career.
The three will be missed, but Ross-Shaw has a solid corps of returnees that will be joined by the four talented frosh.
"We will miss the three seniors, of course, especially for the intangibles. Jody, obviously, had a great MAC Tournament run, but was a great leader, on and off the field. Marla was limited by her injuries, but was almost like having another coach in the dugout. And, Kernahan was a four-year starter for us, so they will all be missed. But, I think we have a talented upperclass group of kids that are beginning to take ownership.
"Last year's success, coupled with another year of experience under their belts, leads me to believe this team will be more confident and mentally tougher."
The returning players include four All-MAC selections, as Gina Rango earned first-team all-league honors for the second successive season, while Jeanine Baca, Lindsay Heimrich and Liz Vrabel all were named to the second team.
The following is a position-by-position look at the 2005 Falcons ...
PITCHER
Johnson is gone after posting a 14-10 record, including a 3-1 mark with a save en route to the league tourney MVP. But, three other experienced pitchers return, joined by a talented newcomer. Jamieson, in his first season working with the Falcon pitchers, helped BGSU lower the team earned-run average by more than seven-tenths of a run from the previous season. The Falcons' team ERA of 1.60 last spring was the lowest since the 1993 squad which - probably not coincidentally - also advanced to NCAA Regional play.
Vrabel, a junior, returns after winning 15 games and posting an ERA of 1.46 last year, both team bests, en route to earning all-league honors for the second time in as many years. She missed most of the MAC Tournament due to injury, but picked up the win in relief in the tourney's final game.
"Liz really benefited from watching Jody during the stretch run last year," said Jamieson. "Jody went out there and gave it her all under adverse circumstances, and I think that really stuck with Liz.
"We have been preaching to Liz about working toward being the dominant pitcher in the MAC. She has that ability, and no player on our team has worked harder to get ready for the season. Liz is working on adding a change-up to her arsenal of pitches, and has the capability to throw two or three games a weekend for us. The injuries late last season hurt her numbers a little bit, but we look for a big year from Liz in 2005. She gives us an opportunity to compete with anyone in the country."
Vrabel is joined by two veterans in Heimrich and senior Kristen Anderson. Heimrich, a junior, spent most of her time at first base last year, but shone when called into duty in the circle. Her 5-4 record included a win over Western Michigan in the MAC Tournament, as well as a no-hitter against Oakland during the regular season.
"Lindsay made great strides last year," said Jamieson. "Every time we gave her the ball, she showed us that she deserves to get the ball more often. She throws a great drop-ball and change-up with precise location, which makes her very effective.
"Lindsay doesn't try to overpower the hitters; she just tries to keep the ball low, hit her spots and make her infield work for her. She is an All-MAC first baseman, but she also does a great job at being ready to come in and pitch at any time."
Anderson, the team's lone senior, blossomed at the plate last year and, as a result, found herself in the outfield or at the designated-player spot most of the time. But, the Eastern Michigan transfer has several years of collegiate pitching experience, and could be called upon in that role in her final spring.
"Kristen Anderson did not see a lot of work last year, as more of an emphasis was put on her offensive production," said Jamieson. "But, her versatility helps us. She has a different style from our other pitchers, and could be a good combination when used with them. Kristen's competitiveness really shows through in game situations, and it spreads to her teammates."
The lone newcomer to the pitching staff is freshman Emily Gouge. Gouge, a native of Vero Beach, Fla., has the luxury of teaming with three veteran hurlers, but has the ability to get quality experience and innings in her first season. Gouge did not allow a single earned run during fall ball.
"Emily was a great find," said Jamieson. "Unlike a lot of freshmen, she already has command of four basic pitches. We just need to work on fine-tuning those pitches and making sure she can throw them to any location at any time.
"We have been very impressed with the movement on her ball. We don't see Emily, as happens with many freshmen, taking this year to grow and get an inning of work here or there. She will be thrown into the fire early, and we feel very confident in her ability to take over some of the innings that Jody threw for us last year."
CATCHER
Junior Abby Habicht returns as the incumbent at catcher, but there are several Falcon teammates that could see time behind the plate as well. Habicht, after spending her freshman year as the starter at second base, began last year as the starting shortstop before assuming the catching role. She had a batting average of .219 and a fielding percentage of .981, and gained confidence, both at the plate and behind it, as the year went on. She capped her season with a pair of extra-base hits in the MAC Tournament, an RBI double in the win over Central Michigan, and the first homer of her organized softball career in the tourney's final game.
"We asked a great deal of Abby last year, with a position change and taking a senior's spot behind the plate," said Ross-Shaw. "But, she really came through, especially in the tournament, and gained a lot of confidence.
"Abby is a smart kid and a hard worker. She knows the pitchers, and does a lot of the little things that can't be taught."
Freshman Brecken Libbe, a Perrysburg native, also will see time behind the dish for the Falcons, with sophomores Ashley Zirkle and Lauren Hoffman and junior Natalie Armintrout also candidates for catching duty.
"Brecken is a talented athlete and has some good experience," said Ross-Shaw. "She also has a good arm, and just needs to learn some of the finer points of catching at the collegiate level. Brecken split time with Abby in the fall, and we feel confident with either one of them back there.
"Ashley suffered an injury last year, and is not full-go yet," said Ross-Shaw. "We could see her at a few different positions, but it all depends on her continued recovery. Her hitting has been looking good, though, so we might look to her as a designated-player candidate to utilize her offensive skills.
"We have been working Lauren Hoffman in a number of positions. She works as hard as anyone, does exactly what you ask of her, and is a great kid to have around. 'Red' (Armintrout) has had a number of shoulder surgeries, and also is not at 100 percent. She will be looking for time offensively."
FIRST BASE
Heimrich blossomed into one of the Falcons' top players last season, hitting .293 and earning all-league honors. One of two Falcons to start all 64 games, she tied for second on the team with 29 runs batted in, and hit a stellar .351 in MAC play. Freshman Allison Vallas, another Perrysburg native to find her way to BGSU, also will see some time at first base.
"Lindsay is a returning All-MAC player, and may be the best leader by example that we have ever had," said Ross-Shaw. "She is a key returnee to our lineup, and we will ask her to do the same things that we have asked of her in her first two years.
"Lindsay is a great leader, both on and off the field, and is constantly positive. She is such a great teammate, and a great player to have on your side.
"Allison Vallas is a kid who will find time on the field, because of her size and her natural ability. And, she's very easy to teach and coach; she is learning every day. She has played in the outfield for us as well, and is always diving and taking away hits.
"Allison is having fun, enjoying herself, and wants to get better. She has great power and timing, and we are looking for her to be an impact player in our lineup."
SECOND BASE/SHORTSTOP
Megan McPherson returns at second base, after making 61 starts in her freshman season. As was the case with many of her youthful teammates, McPherson played perhaps her best softball in the league tournament, helping BG to the title. The scrappy sophomore could be pushed by freshman D.J. DeLong, who hails from Hamilton, Ohio.
"Megan was not happy with her offensive play last season," said Ross-Shaw. "She knows she needs to get herself on base more often, and is working on making changes to do just that. Megan is one of the best baserunners that I have ever seen, and is a great defensive second baseman.
"She knows the game, is a great field leader, and has that confidence that you need. The way she played at the MAC Tournament is the way we need her to be all of the time.
"D.J. DeLong is just a great all-around athlete, who can play almost any position on the field. We will work her at shortstop and in the outfield as well as at second base. She is a very refined infielder, who has a great glove and a great release on her throw. D.J. is another kid who is a good leader by example. People watch her play, and want to play like her."
Another slick-fielding youngster, Angie Ortiz, looks to assume the reins at shortstop. Ortiz sat out last season, but is another quality fielder at Ross-Shaw's disposal.
"Angie is amazing to watch in the field; she is such a pure fielder," said Ross-Shaw. "Offensively, she has a good swing. Having missed an entire year, though, she just needs to get those collegiate at-bats, get some experience and see how things shake out."
As mentioned, DeLong could see time at either of the middle-infield positions.
"We have the luxury of several long infielders this year," said Ross-Shaw. "It is just a matter of who is producing on offense. Early on in the season, we will rotate people into the lineup, to give them all their chances. But, it will be nice to be able to rest someone every now and then, or to see who is putting up the offensive numbers and get their bat into the lineup."
THIRD BASE
While a number of positions are up in the air, it is probably safe to say that Rango will have a spot in the lineup. All the junior has done in her first two seasons at BG is tie the school career record for homeruns while putting herself high on a number of other career lists. Last spring, Rango hit .372 with BG-record totals of 18 doubles, nine homers and 42 RBI en route to earning All-MAC and All-Region First-Team honors for the second consecutive season. She is the first player in school history to earn all-region honors twice.
"Offensively, Gina will lead our lineup," said Ross-Shaw. "She is such a great hitter, but she is committed to being a better hitter. Gina has always hit the ball well to left field, and she has made tremendous strides in driving the ball to the opposite field, to make herself a better hitter.
"Gina has been at third base for two years now. But, she has such great natural ability that we have been working with her in the outfield as well. Angie Ortiz is a good third baseman as well, and I think it is good for Gina to have someone to push her. More importantly for our overall team success, it is good to know that we can give Gina a break now and then if necessary.
"Gina is never satisfied. In her mind, what she has done so far is not good enough. She's just that type of kid, which makes my job very easy."
OUTFIELD
There is no shortage of candidates for the outfield positions. During the MAC Tournament run, Ross-Shaw utilized an all-freshman outfield, and those three players - Baca, Emmy Ramsey and Kari Steigerwald - all return for their sophomore campaigns. Vallas, Anderson, Rango and DeLong all are up for time in the outfield as well.
As a freshman last year, Baca locked down both the centerfielder spot and the leadoff slot in the batting order. She hit .304 in her initial season, and batted a hefty .349 in MAC games. Baca gave Ross-Shaw some power in that leadoff position, with five homers, and was one of the toughest players in the nation to strike out, whiffing just eight times in 207 at-bats.
"Jeanine is just a natural centerfielder," said Ross-Shaw. "She gets such a good jump on the ball, and is hard to beat defensively. Offensively, she is improving as well. She has the purest swing on our team, and has worked hard on driving the ball to the opposite field.
"And, she is so difficult to strike out, which is a great quality, of course, in a leadoff hitter. Jeanine has the ability to be the best player in the MAC, with her combination of speed, power and average."
Ramsey and Steigerwald started a combined 60 games a year ago, and were mainstays in the lineup down the stretch. Ramsey has the strongest throwing arm on the team, and is one of the speediest Falcons as well. Steigerwald gained confidence as the league tournament progressed, and spearheaded BGSU's 1-0 victory over Miami on the tourney's final day. In that game, she scored the lone run and robbed a RedHawk hitter of extra bases with an acrobatic, game-ending diving catch in rightfield.
"Emmy and Kari both did a great job for us in the MAC Tournament," said Ross-Shaw. They are both good, fast outfielders. We have been working hard on their offense, to help them pick apart a defense. Both are capable of being a triple threat, with drag bunting, slapping and swinging away from the left side.
"In games where we might be struggling on offense, kids like Emmy and Kari can be a big asset by using their speed and skills to get on base, and being a spark for us."
Anderson made 63 starts last season, including 36 in the outfield. After two years in a pitching role as a collegian, she hit four homers and tied for second on the team with 29 RBI at the plate. She also made several starts at first base before ending the year in the starting lineup as the designated player.
"Kristen just became an outfielder last year, and did a fine job," said Ross-Shaw. "This is her final year, and I expect her to have an edge, as she has the experience and knows our opponents.
"Kristen took that (starting) spot last year because of her offensive production, and we look for that production from her again this season. She is a good kid to have in a leadership role, because she knows how to take charge. Usually, seniors have that realization that this is it, and they want to do everything they can to finish on a good note. I expect that we will see that attitude from Kristen."
Vallas, Rango and Libbe are among the other outfield possibilities. Stop us if you've heard this before, but the players who are producing offensively will be the ones in the lineup on a given day.
"We have a lot of kids fighting for a couple spots out there," said Ross-Shaw. "All can play outfield, as they all play good defense. But, the key is, who can get on base for us?
"We have told the kids that our job is very difficult, because we have so many talented people. We will just keep rotating kids into the lineup, in the outfield as well as elsewhere. If you are even with someone else, then you will likely split the playing time. It is your job to work harder than that other person, to get yourself into the lineup.
"That is the attitude we want our players to have, and the kids have done a good job of working to improve."
THE SCHEDULE
The Falcons enjoyed a successful run through the league tournament last spring, and appeared in NCAA play for the first time in over a decade. This year, Ross-Shaw and Jamieson want to see that style of play and those results throughout the course of the entire season.
"We have talked a lot about setting our sights beyond the MAC," said Ross-Shaw. "We want to do well in conference play, of course, and winning a (MAC) regular-season title will always be a goal. But, we have set our schedule to possibly improve our RPI and hopefully come away with some big wins early on. Central Michigan did just that last year, and they earned a bid to NCAA Regionals without having to win the MAC Tournament.
"We want to put ourselves in that position, too, where we still have a chance for national postseason play without being forced to win the MAC Tournament."
That goal - improving the RPI - is evident with a look at the Falcons' schedule. BGSU is slated to play at least 12 games against teams that participated in last year's NCAA Regionals. A total of six games in the month of March alone come vs. teams that were ranked or received votes in the initial 2005 national poll.
The Falcons play in four tournaments to start the season, heading to Chattanooga, Tenn.; Fullerton, Calif.; Las Vegas, Nev.; and Charlottesville, Va. A March 12 game vs. Arizona, the top-ranked team in the preseason, highlights the tournament schedule, but the Falcons' tourney slate also includes foes such as Cal State Fullerton, Minnesota, Northwestern, Pacific, Purdue, Virginia, to name a few.
"We don't want to be satisfied with just hanging in there against the good teams," said Ross-Shaw. "We want to win those games. I think, last year, we felt happy just to make it to the NCAAs, and we did not play very well when we got there. We don't want to feel happy just to be on the same field with a nationally-ranked team. We want to go out there and compete against them, and we need to have the attitude that we are going to beat some of those teams."
When BG returns to the Midwest in late March, the Falcons' non-league foes include Michigan and Ohio State. The MAC schedule begins with a March 25 twinbill against Toledo, opening the home slate.
In the school's final season in the West Division, BGSU will play three-game series against divisional foes Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois, hosting only EMU among that group. The Brown and Orange will host the aforementioned twinbill vs. UT, and will hit the road for West Division doubleheaders against Ball State and Western Michigan.
The Falcons' cross-divisional games include home games vs. Buffalo (three) and Miami (two) and road doubleheaders against Akron and Ohio.
"Our pre-conference schedule is very difficult, and that is by design," said Ross-Shaw. "That tough schedule should prepare us for the MAC, and it will be a test for our team. We will see how we handle that test."
The regular season concludes May 7-8 with a three-game set at CMU, and the MAC's top teams will converge on Firestone Stadium in Akron just three days later for the MAC Tournament (May 11-14). In a change from years past, eight teams will qualify for the tournament, which will feature two four-team brackets with the winners playing in the championship game.
As always, Ross-Shaw feels that her Falcon team is capable of competing with all comers, and that it all comes down to the team in the orange and brown (and sometimes white) uniforms.
"As I said, this is the strongest team that I have had, in terms of physical capabilities," said the head coach. "We need to be the mentally-toughest team as well. I do think we are at the point where we can go and challenge other teams on a national scale.
"I also told the girls that, now that we have won a MAC Tournament title, we will have a bulls-eye on our backs, and no one is going to overlook us. We may, at times, feel like everyone is out to get us. But, that means we just need to be stronger. And, it is all up to us. If everyone has the right attitude, and if everyone works hard, we have the ability to do well.
"We have killed ourselves in the past. If we wanted to win, we won; if we didn't, we didn't. We want to have that killer mentality. We want to scratch and claw for every run and every out, to play like we played in the MAC Tournament last May. If we can prepare hard and work hard, the results will take care of themselves."
