North Carolina State University Athletics
Pack Softball Poised for ?07 Season
2/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By Brandon Yopp
Assistant Media Relations Director
The NC State softball team, currently ranked No. 22 nationally in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25, will begin its season this weekend at the Carolina Classic in Chapel Hill, N.C. The Pack will take on Ohio at 12:15 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9 to get the year started, with a game against Coastal Carolina slated for 7 p.m. On Saturday, Feb. 10, the red and white will do battle with Penn State at 12:15 p.m. NC State will wrap up its opening weekend on Sunday, Feb. 11 with two games, taking on Gardner-Webb at 12:30 p.m., before battling East Carolina at 2:30 p.m.
Raleigh, N.C. - Armed with confidence and postseason experience, the NC State softball team returns 16 players from last year’s ACC championship unit, nine of whom are seniors, for the 2007 season. A five-player freshman class, each of whom will be able to contribute immediately, joins the squad with impressive summer ball resumes.
“As a program going into our fourth year, my goal is to go further,” said head coach Lisa Navas. “Anybody in our conference can beat any team on any given day. To get better we are going to have to keep going through the process of doing what we need to do to improve with each and every day.”
A veteran pitching staff will lead the charge as Shaina Ervin, Abbie Sims and Megan Dalthorp create from the circle for the Wolfpack. Ervin and Sims, two different types of hurlers, complement each other well and will take the majority of innings. Dalthorp will spend more time out front this year after collecting two seasons worth of experience and maturing as a pitcher.
Miranda Ervin and Jennifer Patterson have been a great combination behind the plate for the red and white since the program’s inaugural year. Both demonstrate power with the bat, as well as solid control of pitchers. Lisa Gott and Claudia Cooper have shown marked improvement and will add depth, as well as relief, to Ervin and Patterson.
Lisa Nentwig has done an outstanding job so far in her tenure in Raleigh, standing as a defensively sound first baseman. Allison Presnell swings the bat well and will look to grab some innings while Mackenzie Mangum and Allison Cuculich will provide depth and additional options in pinch-hitting situations.
Kristine Bechtholdt and Laura Klem have been battling it out to secure the starting job at second base, though Klem’s experience may keep her in the driver’s seat for the beginning of the season.
Shanna Smith has done a phenomenal job defensively at shortstop. A solid hitter and one of the quickest players in the program, Smith’s steady leadership between third and second tie together the talents of her supporting cast in the infield.
Jen Chamberlin has been an anchor for the program and is a leader on the field from third base. Her 36 home runs rank third in ACC history, acting as a dangerous weapon in the batter’s box. Heather Gelbard has performed well when called upon in the field. Her reliable plate performance keeps her pegged into the lineup at all times, mostly positioned at the designated player spot. Cooper serves as an additional role player at third.
Despite not being as clear cut at all times, the outfield positions have been equally effective for the Wolfpack. Sims will maintain right field when not on the mound because of her bat, and Blair Harkey will control center field. Ashleigh Davis or Dalthorp will man left field. Krystal Hawkins’ speed makes her a valuable commodity in the outfield, while Presnell might spend time in the grass as well. Beth Poore and Lauren Peters have the ability to make plays when called upon.
“This team plays with a high level of confidence,” said Navas. “Not a cockiness, but a confidence that they know that they can get it done. The freshmen aren’t scared and the veterans have been there before.”
