2003 Softball Season Outlook – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/27/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 27, 2003
After a record-shattering 2002 campaign, the Ohio State softball team will try to ride that momentum into 2003 and strive toward a Big Ten Championship and a trip to the Women’s College World Series.
The 2002 season will go down in the record books as one the most productive and historic in the 32-year existence of the program. The Buckeyes went 55-14 on the year – their most wins ever – and attaining the program’s highest national ranking ever at No. 13. OSU closed out its season with a trip to the NCAA Regional tournament, its first since 1990. The 2002 Buckeyes shattered the record books, breaking 21 team records and 15 individual marks throughout the season.
Head coach Linda Kalafatis expects the trend to continue in 2003 with three All-Big Ten selections returning for the Buckeyes. Overall, seven starters or part-time starters return from last year’s squad to guide the Buckeyes back to the NCAA tournament.
“In sports you have to get used to change and turnover quickly,” Kalafatis said. “But what I like about our program now is that with each level of success that we achieve, this team gets more hungry because they know that they are not that far away from getting to Oklahoma City. Despite having seven new people this year, I see the team chemistry starting to click. I see it happening in the weight room and during practice. Off the field I think that it will continue to develop. I trust this senior class. I trust their commitment and determination to put us in position to compete for a Big Ten title, return to the NCAA’s and play for a spot in the Women’s College World Series.”
INFIELD
One of the strengths of this year’s team will be in the infield where two all-Big Ten selections return to lead a talented group of infielders. Jennifer Link, a third team All-America selection at second base, batted .349 with a team-high 215 plate appearances in 2002. Kristine Himes, OSU’s career home run queen, is the cornerstone at third base and at the clean-up spot in the batting order. Himes smacked a team-high 16 home runs and was third on the team in slugging percentage (.610). Link and Himes are the only two returning players to start all 69 games last season-also a school record. “We have a lot of versatility and depth in the infield,” Kalafatis said. “Link is a returning All-American and has been an extremely consistent and solid player for us over the course of her career. I think she will continue to be a solid player for us at second base. She will be our leadoff hitter this year and we will count on her to ignite our lineup. We will be counting on Jenn to lead our offense the way we always have. We have high hopes that she will have her best season yet.”
“Kristine has been very solid. She has definitely been an important player in our program. I think Kristine has been the best third baseman in the conference for a couple of years now. She is extremely quick to bunts, has very good instincts at third and is very intense. Up to bat, Kristine’s power is well-respected. We’re hoping she continues to improve and can hit for average a little more while becoming more difficult to strike out. I like the leadership Kristine has showed. She is definitely one of the players we are counting on this season.”
Backing them up are a number of candidates. Elizabeth Kacsanek, who had shoulder surgery over the summer, will be moved over to second base.
“Amy Ellis is also experienced at second base,” Kalafatis said. “We threw Karisa Evans there in the fall and she was remarkably fluid and looked as if she had played her entire career there. Elizabeth has played many positions during her time here: shortstop, second base, outfield, and catcher. Right now we have her slotted to be our backup at second base and perhaps a key pinch hitter off the bench. We’re hoping she will recover well from her surgery. B.J. Carder also spent a little time at third learning the difference from short last fall.”
The departure of Sarah West leaves a hole on the right side at first base. Kristi DeVries, who will see most of her time in the circle, is solid candidate at first base. DeVries saw action in 41 games last season and showed significant improvement with the bat in fall competition.
“First base is a position we need to fill,” Kalafatis said. “Kristi DeVries, who has always seen a lot of time on the mound and in the designated player role for us, has some good experience at first. We will count on her when she is not pitching to be in the lineup. Kristi has been swinging the bat with a lot of confidence and is very solid defensively. She might be our best defensive player.”
Also is the mix at first base is junior Beth McAbier, who saw action in 18 games last year, and Ashley Cutcliff, a sophomore transfer from the University of Florida.
“I have been very pleased with the way Beth has started to develop. We moved her over to first at the end of her freshman year and gained more experience there last season. Beth will need to continue to prove herself in the lineup. She worked hard over the summer and stayed on campus to lift, run and work on her skills at first. She had a very good fall season and if she continues to work, she will have a very nice season for us.
“Ashley brings an interesting perspective to our program. She has tremendous strength and we are very pleased with the possibilities she brings. It will be interesting to see what she can develop into. She is capable of smacking the cover off the ball and has really improved defensively.”
Shortstop may be the most talented position according to Kalafatis. Three players, junior Breanna Pozzi, sophomore Jennifer Johnson and freshman Billie Jo Carder, who will also be used as a utility player, are three players that can play the position and play it well. Pozzi started 30 of 38 games in which she participated, batting .329 in 82 at-bats. Johnson showed signs of good things to come during her freshman season, starting 36 of 42 games at the shortstop position.
“Our veteran is Pozzi,” Kalafatis said. “She is a more of a streaky player. I think she had a very good year last season. She missed a significant amount of time due to illness. She was playing very well before that and was our best shortstop, making some tremendous plays down the stretch. She started to realize what she is capable of. She can add a little pop to our lineup.
“Jennifer got some really good experience last season as well. We’re still waiting for “JJ” to assert herself as a hitter in our lineup and hoping this is the year she can do just that. The more confidence she gains, the more solid of a player she will become. We are also looking at “JJ” as a back up at second.”
“B.J. Carder can play almost anywhere on the field. She could very well be the best athlete on the squad. We have not had a chance to see what she is capable of yet because of injuries sustained in the fall. I think she will battle for the starting shortstop position and is capable of really being a marquee player for us in the future. She can make some outstanding plays and is an extremely athletic and gutsy player. B.J. Carder is going to be a name that you will hear often in the future-hopefully the near future.”
OUTFIELD
This season Kalafatis will have more depth than ever in the outfield. Only one starter returns in Rogeanna Hottinger, yet the Buckeyes have a numbers of players with valuable experience in the outfield.
“The play of our outfield during the fall led our team,” Kalafatis said. “Rogeanna has great instincts on the ball, moves well and has a great arm. I think she can be one of the top outfielders in the conference. She showed signs of that in the fall. She played loose and with confidence and we’re hoping she will continue to do that. I have no doubt about her defensive influence in the outfield. She will be counted on to anchor that group and can be significant in the bottom half of our batting order.”
Sophomore Meghan Rowlands is a solid candidate to start in left field. Rowlands saw action in 55 games last season and was third on the team with nine stolen bases in 13 attempts. She also demonstrated good speed in the outfield and showed excellent power potential with the bat in the fall.
“Meghan is very fast,” Kalafatis said. “We moved her from the infield after she had spent most of her career at shortstop and third. She is now starting to develop very good instincts as an outfielder. Her speed is a tremendous asset as a defensive and offensive player. She will be counted on this season and in the years to come. Meghan has a huge opportunity to be a solid every day player for us. She plays hard and with a lot of intensity and will be a fun player to watch.”
Senior Amy Ellis is another likely starter in right field. After spending most of her career in the infield, she saw an opportunity for playing time in the outfield and has since adjusted nicely. Sophomore Karisa Evans, who also is making the adjustment to the outfield, will also be in the mix for the Buckeyes in 2003. Evans has adjusted nicely according to the coaching staff and adds a valuable and capable bat from the left side.
“Amy moves very naturally in the outfield,” Kalafatis said. “If she continues to improve with the bat, she will increase her playing time. She is someone we can see starting in right field. One of the unsung heroes of this team, she doesn’t seem to expect a lot, yet she is always wanting to give more and always work hard to improve and do whatever it takes to help this team succeed. I look forward to Amy playing a bigger role this year.”
“Karisa Evans has developed nicely in our program after just one year. She is a good athlete, she moves and throws well. She makes everything seem easy. She is very strong despite her size and started to deliver from the No. 2 spot in the batting order last fall. Karisa really adds something to our lineup being a left-handed hitter.”
Freshman Nicole Lancaster will add even more depth to the outfield position. Practicing primarily as an outfielder, she may also see time in the infield.
“Nicole is another good athlete with quickness on our roster,” Kalafatis said. “We’re looking for her to develop. We’re working with moving her to the left side to see how she can develop as a slapper because of her speed. She is very scrappy and will battle until she accomplishes what she has set out to do.”
Kalafatis also has said there should be no surprise if the versatile DeVries also sees some time in the outfield. “We will do what ever it takes to keep Kristi’s bat in the lineup,” Kalafatis said. “If our lineup is stronger with her in right field or if a pitching change happens then that is what we may do.”
CATCHERS
Replacing All-American Stacy Roth at catcher will be a challenging task, but Kalafatis knows senior Annie Dedic is ready and willing to handle the responsibility. A part-time starter in 2002, Dedic appeared in 36 games, driving in 16 runs while committing zero errors from behind the plate.
“Annie does a nice job of knowing our pitchers and their strengths,” Kalafatis said. “She does a nice job of throwing out runners. She needs to improve a little more offensively. That will come with more playing time. She now needs to step up as a senior and be a leader for us on and off the field. Annie is no stranger to the starting lineup. We’re looking for her to be the leader of the catchers.”
Backing her up will be Natalie Hales, a transfer from Eastern Michigan, and Stacy Hibma, a freshman from Buena Park, Calif.
“Natalie is an Ohio native and, as a division-I starting catcher, brings valuable playing experience to the team,” Kalafatis said. “Her greatest attribute is her defense and I’ve been pleased with the way she has called games. She is a “pitcher’s catcher” and the more she gets to know our pitchers and our opponents, the better she will become. Natalie has good offensive potential that has not yet been tapped. She is very good at throwing runners out and has a very strong arm.”
“Stacy Hibma has been a pleasant surprise. We recruited her late, but she has come on and we have been pleased with what we have seen from her. She plays relaxed, wants feedback and wants to learn. If she grows the way we think she can, Stacy will be an extremely important player for us in the future. She has good power and a good arm behind the plate. We’re hoping she can develop into a big hitter for us. She has a lot of poise and fits in very well.”
PITCHERS
In the circle are two freshmen, but also two veterans pitchers to lead the Buckeye pitching staff. Senior and All-Big Ten selection Katie Chain enters the season as the apparent ace on the staff. Chain has already etched her name in the Ohio State record book and is looking to do even more damage in 2003. Chain won 21 games last season in 27 starts and is already OSU’s career leader in wins (56) and strikeouts (531).
“Katie is very hungry this year. She has earned my respect with the decision she made to stay in town this summer and work out and do the things to take her game to the next level. She is very motivated and I’m hoping that she will take on a leadership role. I think we may be seeing Katie’s best year ever which is what you want from your senior players. Katie really loves being a Buckeye. She loves and embraces the great traditions here.”
Just behind Chain is junior Kristi DeVries who went 16-2 last season in 21 starts and led the team with seven shutouts. According to the coaching staff, DeVries, after being hampered by injuries most of her career, is throwing and swinging the bat better than ever.
“Kristi needs to step up and deliver this year in a way that we all know she is capable of,” Kalafatis said. “She can be the kind of player that other players look to follow. We’ll be counting on her more than ever before. We need her in the lineup because we know what she’s capable of. She is capable of being one of the best players in the Big Ten. I think she is much more determined and confident this season and we’re counting on her to be a leader.”
“We are very confidant with Katie and Kristi in the circle for us, we know they will lead us to some big wins this season.”
Chelsea Baker, a freshman from Gahanna, Ohio, brings a new face to the circle and another likely starter to the pitching staff. Baker also will be used as a utility player for the Buckeyes.
“Chelsea’s contributions to this pitching staff became more important this fall,” Kalafatis said. “She is somebody who will need to start some games for us. Because Big Ten teams know Katie and Kristi, Chelsea and Andrea can bring an unknown element to our staff. Mentally they are very capable of coming in as a freshmen and handling the pressures of being on one of the top programs in the Big Ten. We recruited Chelsea not only as a pitcher, but because of her ability to produce offensively and defensively in the outfield. Chelsea is a solid all-around player and a good athlete. She may not have the size that some of our other players have, but she makes up for that in her competitiveness.”
Also adding depth to the pitching corps will be another freshman, Andrea Tribuzi. Tribuzi showed signs of good things to come during the fall, causing problems at the plate for opposing batters.
“Andrea has done a sound job defensively,” Kalafatis said. “We brought her in during the fall in many different situations and she did very well. She will be able to help us out this spring. She has contributed nicely and if she can continue develop, she will make nice contributions to this program.”
GOING OUT WINNERS
The 2003 senior class has the opportunity this season to record more wins than any other class in the history of Ohio State softball. The Buckeyes need just 21 wins to help this senior class become the all-time winningest class to come through Ohio State. The 2002 senior class shattered the mark last season, recording 149 wins over the last four years, breaking the old mark of 127 (2001, 1995). The class of 2003 enters this season with 129 wins.
“This senior class could leave as the best ever in terms of wins,” Kalafatis said. “There was a time when Himes, Link, Chain and Hottinger were all freshman starters and gaining valuable experience as we were building our program. I hope this season gives them all what they deserve. As they approach the end of their career here, I like what they have become: experienced, confident, committed, loyal and competitive.”
BIG (TEN) COMPETITION
The Buckeyes know the race for the Big Ten crown will once again be very competitive. Though no team in the conference can be taken lightly, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin and Penn State are expected to present a strong challenge for the Buckeyes in the rough and tough Big Ten race.
“The Big Ten has become more competitive each year and this year is no exception,” Kalafatis said. “I see some very good teams and the conference race is wide open this year. We’ve got some returning pitchers who are career record holders in their programs. Not only do I expect this to be a great conference race, I expect the conference to do very well nationally.”
The Buckeyes open up the season at the Florida International Tournament in Miami, Fla. Feb. 7-9. OSU will then travel to the prestigious NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga. (Feb. 21-23) to face teams such as Arizona State and DePaul, both of whom finished in the NFCA Top 25 in 2002. The following weekend the team will head west to the Cal-State Fullerton/Worth Invitational to compete against some of the top programs out west including the defending NCAA champion California Golden Bears March 1. From there, Ohio State will return home to play host to the Buckeye Invitational March 15-16 then finish off the preseason tournament schedule at the University of Hawaii/Chevron Invitational March 20-23.
