FEBRUARY 18, 2002
BOB ZIADIE
2002
KING'S SOFTBALL AIMS TO GAIN MAC FREEDOM CONFERENCE THREE-PEAT
(Dlugosz Eyeing NCAA Career Steals Record)
With all but one starter returning from last season's 28-12 MAC
Freedom Conference championship squad, the King's College softball team
once again enters the 2002 campaign with lofty goals.
Under the guidance of highly-successful head coach Lisa Gigliello,
the Lady Monarchs will enter the season as the hunted when they embark
on their quest for a third consecutive MAC Freedom championship as well
as a third straight berth in the NCAA Division III National
Championships.
To accomplish that goal, the Lady Monarchs will utilize the services of
an experienced, veteran squad comprised of five returning NCAA East
Region all-Americans, while mixing in a handful of newcomers with the
skills to contribute.
King's will be led by senior tri-captains Michele Dlugosz
(Hatfield/Lansdale Catholic), Karen Ball (Harleysville/Souderton),
and Lisa Rizzo (Stevensville, Md./Queen Anneıs), who have all
played major roles in the teamıs success the past three seasons.
Paving the way is the multi-talented Dlugosz who enters the final year
of what has been a brilliant career to date. The speedy centerfielder is
a two-time NCAA East Region all-American choice and a three-time MAC
Freedom all-star selection with a .446 (152-392) career batting average.
This season, Dlugosz will attempt to carve her name into the NCAA
record books as she bears in on the all-time Division III record for
steals.
With 114 steals in 115 games during
her three-year career, the Lady Monarch leadoff batter is 37 shy of
breaking the current Division III record of 150 set JoAnn Heckethorn of
the College of New Jersey from 1991-94 over the course of 193 career
games .
Returning back to the number one pitching slot is Ball who was 13-7 with
a 2.06 ERA last year, including 62 strikeouts in 139.0 innings of work.
Over the past three years, Ball has a combined 34-10 record and a 1.66
ERA with 136 strikeouts in 291.1 innings. Her experience and leadership
will go a long way in King's success.
The final senior is third-baseman Rizzo who stands as perhaps the most
versatile player on the team. Rizzo was the team's starting
shortstop as a sophomore, then moved to third base a year ago where she
has been outstanding. In fact, Rizzo has played nearly every position on
the field and is an invaluable performer with an unselfish, win-first
attitude. A year ago, Rizzo batted .312 (35-112) in the two-spot and
lead the team with 16 total sacrifices. Rizzo was also a standout
volleyball player at Kingıs where she helped the team to consecutive
30-win seasons.
Another top veteran is junior shortstop Jesse Harvey (Waterbury,
Ct./Sacred Heart) who combines great range with her six-foot frame
and a powerful arm. A year ago, Harvey batted .344 (43-125) with a
team-high 41 RBI while belting four home runs, four triples, and seven
doubles. Defensively, she led the team with 112 assists and earned
regional all-American honors.
Also back
is sophomore catcher/utility player Maria Zangardi (Pittston
Twp./Seton Catholic). A year ago, Zangardi enjoyed a banner
rookie year as she batted .374 (43-115) with 22 RBI, eight doubles, and
three triples and earned regional all-American honors. Zangardi is a
standout catcher but can also play a host of other positions.
Junior pitcher Suzanne Smith (Hanover/Delone Catholic) is also
back after producing a solid sophomore campaign. As the teamıs
number two pitcher, Smith went 13-5 with a 2.13 ERA in 115.0 innings.
She also doubled as a first baseman when not pitching. At
the plate, Smith hit .333 (37-111)with a team-high 10 doubles and was
also a regional all-American. Junior Kim Ball
(Harleysville/Souderton) is also back behind the plate where she
catches almost exclusively for her sister Karen. Kim batted .300 (18-60)
with seven doubles and four triples.
King's boasts one of the fastest outfields in the nation with the
Dlugosz manning centerfield. But sophomore left fielder Linda
Manarchuck (Eynon/Valley View) and junior right fielder Katie
Seguin (Scranton/West Scranton) possess tremendous speed as well and
provide the ability to cut off balls before they get into the gaps.
Manarchuck, a regional
all-American, batted .333 (27-81) and scored 20 runs while stealing
16-of-17 bases. Seguin, meanwhile, batted .235 (28-119) but led
the team with 16 bases-on-balls and stole 15-of-18 bases. With her speed
and arm strength, Seguin is also known for her consistent ability to
throw runners out at first on would-be singles to right field, as
evidenced by her 15 assists last season.
The final returnee is sophomore Christen Piccola (Freehold, NJ/St.
John Vianney) who looks to continue her role as a solid all-around
player who can fill a variety of roles. Piccola batted .435 (10-23) as a
freshman but can play several positions, most notably catcher and third
base.
Rookies looking to make an immediate impact include Stacey Preambo
(Jessup/Valley View) who could emerge as a top contender at
second-base. Preambo was a scholastic standout who helped Valley
View High School win the 2001 Pennsylvania Class "AA" state
championship as a teammate if Manarchuck's.
Three freshmen pitchers will also compete for time and each have the
ability to provide the Lady Monarchs with tremendous depth in the
circle. Megan Adams (Nanticoke/Nanticoke), Melissa Boyda
(Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional), and Sarah Genewski
(Palmerton/Palmerton) all have the skills to contribute and will
gain valuable experience behind Lady Monarch veterans Ball and Smith.
In all, the Lady Monarchs possess the experience, talent, and work-ethic
necessary to enjoy yet another outstanding season. King's has produced
six straight 20-plus win campaigns and 2002 figures to be no
exception.
