Ohio State Names Cooper, Marder and Pruner Tri-Captains for 2010 – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/24/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Buckeyes return eight starters in the spring
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A trio of Ohio State softball student-athletes will serve as team captains for a second year as seniors Whitney Cooper, Sam Marder and Courtney Pruner were named the leaders of the 2009-10 squad, head coach Linda Kalafatis announced last Friday.
“Whitney, Sam and Courtney will represent an outstanding team of young women as tri-captains this season,” Kalafatis said. “It’s no mistake that all three repeat as captains again in their senior year after serving in this role along side of last year senior, Kim Reeder.
“I like that each represents a different position group and that they understand the privilege of serving their team members as captains. We have high expectations for the upcoming season and these three will have crucial roles in keeping our team focused and working hard. They’ve got a great group to work with and I am confident that they’ll do a great job of leading the way for us.”
The Buckeyes return in 2010 after recording one of the best seasons in program history. The squad finished with a 47-11 record, the second-most wins in program history, after making its first trip to an NCAA Super Regional.
Hailing from Barstow, Calif., Cooper started all 58 Ohio State games in 2009, recording the team’s second-best batting average (.322). In 174 at-bats, the second baseman had 56 hits, including eight doubles, five homeruns and a triple. A 2009 second-team All-Big Ten selection, Cooper knocked in 30 RBI and stole 10 bases as a junior.
“I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to represent our program, athletic department and The Ohio State University, serving another year as a team captain along with Sam and Pruner,” Cooper said. “To be chosen to lead such a talented group of hard-working and dedicated young woman is a privilege I am grateful to have.”
Marder, Ohio State’s second two-time All-American, started 57 games a season ago, powering the Buckeyes at the plate with a .821 slugging average. For a second-consecutive year, Marder led the country in bases on balls, as she was walked 67 times while also recording a team-high 19 homers, 39 runs and 48 hits on the year. Marder broke the Ohio State all-time homerun record with her 42nd overall and 18th of the season May 5 as the Buckeyes swept Penn State in a doubleheader.
“I’m very honored to be selected as a captain this year,” Marder, a native of Calabasas, Calif., said. “I am continually inspired by my teammates’ dedication to this program and sport every day and I am humbled by them selecting me as one of their leaders.”
Pruner, a lefty from Akron, Ohio, started 56 games in 2009, notching the third-most homeruns on the team with 12, including her first career grandslam vs. Georgia May 22 in the NCAA Super Regional. Pruner hit .289 last season, scoring 35 runs while recording the second-most RBI on the squad with 46.
“It is such an honor to be named captain by my coaches and teammates,” Pruner said. “It means so much to me because this is my last season and I will work as hard as I can to help lead the team to another successful year.”
The 2010 season kicks off with the Buckeyes playing at the Houston Tournament in Texas Feb. 12-14, one of five early-season tournaments. Ohio State’s home opener also marks the beginning of Big Ten action as the team welcomes Wisconsin March 27-28 at Buckeye Field.
