SPRING, 2008
2008
KING'S COLLEGE SOFTBALL PREVIEW....
WILKES-BARRE -- Expectations are high for the 2008
King's College softball team. And why not?
After registering a seventh Freedom Conference championship and eighth
straight NCAA Division III National Tournament berth over the past eight
seasons, the Lady Monarchs once again look to put together another
outstanding season.
Despite the graduation losses of two-time Freedom Conference most
valuable player Mari Valonis at first base and standout centerfielder
Justine Maggio from a team that went 34-9, King's returns a number of
quality players who figure to keep the squad playing at a high level.
Heading
the list of veterans is standout junior shortstop Abbey Knoblauch (left)
, a two-time first-team All-Freedom Conference selection who batted .414
(55-133) with four doubles, two triples, and 25 RBI. Her experience and
leadership will go along way in helping King's remain at the top of the
league standings. Knoblauch also earned NFCA Regional All-American
honors in 2006.
Junior
Becky Loring (right), who earned first-team All-Freedom laurels at third
base last year, will likely move to first-base this season to fill in
for Valonis. A year ago, Loring hit .398 (41-103) with three home runs,
five doubles, five triples, and 40 RBI in her first year as a starter
and was an unsung hero on the squad with her steady play and
clutch-hitting ability.
Also
back is senior outfielder Leanne Harvey (left), another first-team
all-conference pick who batted .371 (53-143) with 10 doubles, three
triples, one home run, and 39 RBI. Junior Julie Bidwell also
returns to the outfield starting 26-of-32 games a year ago where she
batted .303 (23-76) with 14 RBI.
Another
key returnee is senior switch-hitting outfielder Annie Drimones (right)
who will likely move to centerfield from right field where she can
utilize her outstanding speed. Drimones batted .286 (22-77) with six
sacrifices and stole 12-of-14 bases. Sophomore Kristen De La Rosa adds
depth to the outfield and also contributes as a valuable pinch runner.
Sophomore
Meaghan Galvin (left) is expected to earn the starting second-base
position after coming on strong at the end of the 2007 season. Galvin
started 21-of-24 games as a freshman, batting .319 (23-72) with three
doubles and 12 RBI. Galvin played extremely well in the NCAA Division
III National Tournament Regional event, earning all-tournament team
honors as a rookie.
Behind the plate, junior Sue Roccia is back after starting 21-of-24
games as a sophomore where she hit .238 (10-42). Sophomore Christie
Parfitt started 15-of-25 games where she bat .354 (17-48). Fellow
sophomore Katie Fry started 13-of-21 games and his .214 (9-42) with 10
RBI.
In
the circle, King's returns the solid one-two punch of junior Kelsey
Shreaves (right) and sophomore Lindsay Hoerner. A year ago, Shreaves
posted a 14-5 record and a 1.97 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 106 innings.
Shreaves also helped her own cause at the plate by batting .300 (18-60)
with two home runs, four doubles, and 14 RBI
Hoerner
(left), meanwhile comes off a fine rookie campaign in which she was 12-2
with a 1.97 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 89 innings. She also batted .345
(30-87) with three home runs, four doubles, and 21 RBI. In fact, Hoerner
was selected most valuable player of the Freedom Conference Tournament.
Five freshman will look to make the presence felt this season. Gretchen
Tholen is expected to emerge as the starting third-baseman, allowing
Loring to move to first base. Lauren DeCreny is a versatile performer
who can play third base and the outfield. Kasey Corbett is another
multi-positional player who may very well see action at catcher, second
base, or in the outfield.
Jacquie O'Brien will likely serve as the number-three pitcher but also
has the ability to play in the infield and outfield. Kristine Evans
rounds out the rookies and hopes to contribute in both the infield and
outfield.
as
of 8/11/08
