2011 guide - Ohio Wesleyan University

2011 BISHOP OUTLOOK2It’s true that Ohio Wesleyanhead coach Cassie Cunningham faceswhat appears to be a monumentalrebuilding job in 2011. After all,Cunningham must replace the entirestarting infield, 2 outfielders, and thetop pitcher from a team that sharedthe North Coast Athletic Conferencechampionship.But not only is the cupboardfar from bare for Cunningham, shecredits the departed 2010 class withpaving the way for the 2011 team tosucceed.“We are more athleticallytalented, faster, deeper, and closeras a unit than we have ever been,”Cunningham said. “The environmentat practices is so much more relaxedand encouraging, despite the factthat the competition is more intensethan it’s ever been. That environmentis a testament to the foundationleft by the players who have graduated— they created the persona ofour program.”Junior righthander LaurenMcIntire, the Bishops’ No. 2 pitcherin 2009, and sophomore righthanderAmanda Barker, who earned the No. 2spot last season, return in the circle.McIntire led the NCAC in saves lastseason, while Barker was fourth inthe league in earned run average.Sophomore righthander ErikaReese pitched primarily in short relieflast year and looks to contributemore in 2011.Freshman righthander DaniHaley, a first-team all-state selectionin high school, and freshman righthanderTamra Londot give Cunninghamthe deepest pitching staff in her5 seasons at Ohio Wesleyan.Sophomore Brooke Nethers, whowon the starting spot last season andwent on to win second-team allconferencehonors, and senior SarahTruchan, who led the Bishops with 5home runs in 2009, return behind theplate. Nethers also could see time atfirst base.Tara VanVrankenKaylie Titus2011 Ohio Wesleyan SoftballJunior Ashley Allen, a first-teamAll-NCAC pick as a designated playerin 2009, could find a home at firstbase this season, with classmateJackie Kolovich also in the picture.At second base, Allen or juniorAbby Walsh could win the startingnod.Senior Kaylie Titus, who rankedsixth in the league in RBI in 2009 andwas a second-team All-NCAC pickin 2010, and freshman Erica Bryan,a first-team all-state choice in highschool, will battle for the shortstopposition. It would not be a shock tosee both in the lineup, however, astheir versatility gives Cunninghamthe additional options of playingBryan at second base or Titus at thirdbase.Sophomore Stefanie Rieder alsowill contribute at the hot corner.Freshman Amanda Hatfield couldmake a splash as well.Senior Tara VanVranken, theBishops’ only returning starter, isback in rightfield. VanVranken was afirst-team all-conference pick in 2008and 2009.Sophomore Lauren Elkins sawsignificant playing time last season,sophomore Kymberli Tagami givesthe Bishops a left-handed powerthreat, and senior Kayla Gordon isan outstanding defensive outfielder.Sophomore Morgan Hall, whose 2010season was shortened by injury, alsolooks to contribute, along with freshmanJen Anderson, an all-conferenceselection in high school.The Bishops open their seasonwith a trip to Fort Myers, Florida,where they face a schedule of 10games during a week-long stay. OhioWesleyan opens the northern portionof its schedule at perennial powerMuskingum on March 17, then facesregional foes Marietta, John Carroll,Alma, Adrian, Baldwin-Wallace, andMount Union in rapid succession.The NCAC schedule opens onApril 9 against Wooster, and theNCAC tournament is scheduled forMay 6-7.