Wednesday, March 12, 2003
Written by Julie Fox

2003 TUFTS SOFTBALL PREVIEW

Although there is still snow outside in Medford, the Tufts Softball team will open its 2003 season on Sunday, March 16 in Orange, California.  Head Coach Kris Herman's team will start play in the Sun West Tournament, hosted by Chapman University, with two games on Sunday and twelve games over the course of the week.

Many different players will get a chance to play this season, as four key players graduated from last year's squad.  The infield especially will see major changes, as three-quarters of the infield graduated along with ace pitcher Jodie Moreau, now a pitching coach for the Jumbos.  Junior Deana Davidian (Pelham, NY) is the only returning starting infielder.  The shifts in the infield are also expected to affect the outfield, as senior co-captain Nikki Blotner (San Diego, CA) looks to be the only returning outfielder.

Senior co-captains Blotner and catcher Lis Drake (Chelmsford, MA) will lead the team this season.  After only three seasons Drake holds the career home runs record (24), as well as the top three single-season home run totals at Tufts. She hit a record nine last season.  Drake was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III All-New England First Team last season, as well as the All-NESCAC First Team.

Drake will work with an inexperienced pitching staff.  Sophomore Caroline Grieco (Manasquan, NJ) is the most experienced of the group after a successful freshman campaign.  She finished 7-2 with a 2.64 earned run average last spring as the #2 behind Moreau. After Grieco, juniors Pam Swidler (Stamford, CT) and Maggie McClory (Melrose, MA) will vie for pitching time along with freshmen Julia Brenta (San Anselmo, CA) and Sarah Conroy (Biddeford, ME).

Sophomore Courtney Bongiolatti (Locust, NJ) will look to build off her successful freshman season during which she was named NESCAC Rookie of the Year. She hit .352 last year, the top returning batting average. Junior Julie Fox (Willow Springs, IL) will likely join Bongiolatti in the infield. An NFCA All-New England and All-NESCAC First Team selection, Fox hit .350 with 32 runs batted in last season. Davidian (.321 last spring) and sophomore Katie Smith (Convent Station, NJ) are the other probably starters. Herman was still working on who will play where as the season draws near.

The outfield is somewhat less settled. Blotner, speedy freshman Jess Barrett (Milford, MA) and McClory are the top candidates. Blotner is a three-year starter in right field.

After completing their 12-game slate out West the Jumbos will return home hoping for good weather, as they have a busy schedule for the rest of the spring.  The team has won the NESCAC Tournament each of two years the Tournament has been in existence, and hopes to make it three straight. In order to do so, the team first must play well against their NESCAC East opponents (Bates, Bowdoin, Colby and Trinity).  The Jumbos also will face regional powers Springfield College, Wheaton College, Western Connecticut State University, and Bridgewater State College, along with NESCAC West rival Williams College.

#