North Carolina State University Athletics
Fall Season Suggests Breakout Year for Wolfpack Softball
10/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Oct. 27, 2004
RALEIGH, N.C. - In preparation for a busy spring, Wolfpack softball head coach Lisa Navas spent the fall semester getting the team in top shape for the regular season. With the addition of Jay Pyron to the coaching staff on Aug. 23, Navas, Pyron and assistant coach Pat Conlan began to outline a challenging fall slate for the squad, including action at the University of Massachusetts Invitational. In addition, the Pack also played host to eleven teams at the NC State Fall tournament. When the dust settled and the dugouts emptied, NC State ended their fall stint with seven wins, zero losses and two ties.
Coach Navas knew she had some valuable recruits joining the team this season, and the coaching staff was eager to see what they would add to the squad. No surprise to Navas, the freshmen class appear to add a new layer of depth to the team, which at various times throughout their inaugural season, was much needed.
"I love the off-season," coach Navas said. "This is where we get better. We are excited to get back to the drawing board and work on some weaknesses. It is a different year having depth everywhere on the field. Some kids have to get use to not playing everyday. It's all a part of growing in our second year."
Two newcomers already making a big impact are Brooke Isley and Megan Dalthorp. During fall games, the freshmen pitching duo looked extremely impressive, with Dalthorp tossing a no-hitter against Mt. Olive and Isley allowing just two hits against future conference opponent Boston College in the fall opener. The new arms will no doubt allow the Pack's pitching staff to grow and improve, while relieving some pressure from sophomore's Abbie Sims and Shaina Ervin. At times last season, Sims and Ervin were pushed to the limit, serving as the only two main threats in the pitching rotation after an early season injury sidelined Lee Hasper.
Pitching isn't the only area that newcomers are contributing to. Junior transfer Tess Corona went 2-3 during her first career game in the red and white, while freshman Lisa Nentwig collected three hits and scored three runs against Mt. Olive. Against Pembroke, freshman Shanna Smith drilled her first collegiate home run, while freshmen Ashleigh Davis and Blair Harkey proved to be threats at the plate, and on the base paths, in their own right.
Although the newcomers are making their presence felt, don't forget the returning core of the Wolfpack, who made the squad the talk of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during their inaugural season. Over the course of the fall, sophomore Jen Chamberlin resumed her role as the team's long-ball threat, hitting two home runs, while Sims and Shaina Ervin both continued to carry big sticks at the plate, in addition to recording phenomenal pitching performances. Sophomore's Miranda Ervin, Allison Cuculich, Jessica Willems and Heather Gelbard each performed well at the plate over the course of the team's nine fall games.
"We are a better team in all aspects of the game," Coach Navas said. "Now we have to turn it up a notch."
Coach Navas' sentiments echoed the attitude of the team.
"This year we have a much tougher schedule," said Abbie Sims. "We are going to have to step up and work hard during the fall to reach our goals in the spring."
