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Seton Hill Softball
The Seton Hill University Softball team will look to improve on a 14-38 record from the 2008 season and reach the WVIAC tournament in the their first year of eligibility. Laura Cymmerman will return to manage the Griffins for her fourth year while first year coach Richele Hall will begin her first year as an assistant under Cymmerman.
This year the Griffins return a core of 9 letterwinners from last year squad which was led by WVIAC honorable mention selection Louanne Wiegand. The Griffins will need to replace four starters, lost to graduation, including Melanie Benson, Meredith Benson, Sarah Tollison and Holly Thomas. The four starters lost accounted for 40% of the Griffins hits last year with 117 while also hitting 9 homeruns, with 44 RBI and 59 runs scored.
The Griffins return three starters in the infield led by catcher Becky Bitsko who led the Griffins with 6 homeruns and was second on the team with 16 RBI. Kayla Badini (7 2B) and Maggie Jones (10 RBI) also return to the infield for the Griffins. Senior Jessica Bobb and Erika Yates (13 RBI) will provide depth and leadership in the infield while a talented group of freshmen look to add depth and improvement to the Griffin infield which include: Donni Bean, Liz Piekut, Lisa Kaczynski, Rachel Eaglehouse, Jenna Vavra, Jessi DiVittorio, and Jackie Conners.
The outfield boasts one starter from last year with senior Amy Kirby back to patrol centerfield for the Griffins. Last season Kirby started in 48 games and hit 2 homeruns while driving in 7 to go along with 14 outfield assists. WVIAC honorable mention selection Louanne Wiegand also returns to the outfield after hitting .257 with a team high 20 RBI and 5 homeruns in 2008. Denamarie Ercolani (.250) and Lyndsey Nusser (7 2B, 9 RBI) also return in the outfield for Seton Hill. Freshman Ally Coy will come in and provide competition and depth for a strong outfield group for the Griffins.
The Griffins expect to rely on a trio of returning starters this year in their push for a WVIAC playoff spot. The Griffins return their top three pitchers from last years team which is highlighted by sophomore Lyndsey Nusser. Nusser compiled team highs in wins (8), ERA (2.92) and strikeouts (139). Caitlyn Kamalich (3.67 ERA, 4 wins, 74 SO) and Louanne Wiegand (4.59 ERA) also return for Seton Hill. The three returning starters are responsible for all 14 wins for the Griffins last season and look to improve on that mark this year.
The Griffins are set to play a 45 game schedule, which includes conference series against WVIAC powers WV Wesleyan, Alderson Broaddus and West Virginia State while playing traditional non-conference games against IUP, Gannon and Mercyhurst. The Griffins will open up play on February 22nd when they travel to West Liberty.
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