North Carolina State University Athletics
2010 Softball Season Preview
1/29/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
RALEIGH, N.C. - The 2010 NC State softball team holds a bevy of playing experience, returning 17 players to the fold from last season’s campaign. Five newcomers - four freshmen and one transfer - join the Wolfpack in hopes of helping lead the program back to the NCAA Tournament.
Senior ace Lindsay Campana is set to lead the pitching staff for one more season, having no-hit Boston College last year and placing in the top-10 among all league pitchers in ERA (1.86), strikeouts (160), wins (13), opponent batting average (.228), innings pitched (154.1) and complete games (13). Sophomores Morgan Peeler and Stephanie Call each picked up one win last year in limited action due to injuries. Junior Aly Burr also returns after sitting out a year ago with a severe shoulder injury, as freshman Linzy Rother joins the staff.
2008 ACC Rookie of the Year junior Alyssa Allbritten remains a lock behind the plate, having established single season school records for doubles (19) and batting average (.348) as a freshman. Senior Claudia Cooper will continue to help with the catching responsibilities after seeing an increase in playing time last year.
Offensive production will figure heavily into the plans at first base, with four student-athletes vying for the starting job. Senior Allison Presnell has been a consistent run producer for the Pack throughout her career, while Call spent a good amount of time at the corner spot a year ago and looked good in the fall. Junior transfer Alicia Abbott, who was named Horizon League Newcomer of the Year as a freshman at Illinois - Chicago, wields a dangerous bat and can handle the defensive responsibilities, while Rother will look to make her mark as well.
Junior Alyssa Ishibashi has been a rock at second base over the course of the previous two seasons, both offensively and defensively. Sophomore Toni Ann Williford, who made tremendous strides in fall ball and the spring preseason, is poised to increase her playing time due to her offensive potential. Sophomore Landon Warren can contribute, having shown solid potential last season in spot starts at shortstop.
Shortstop is up for grabs, with sophomore Katie Mansilla and Warren competing against freshman Breanna Andrews. Mansilla served as a reserve a season ago, coming in during key pinch-running situations. Andrews brings raw talent and potential that needs to be refined and molded.
Third base appears to belong to junior Bridget Desbois who won the starting role outright towards the end of her freshman season. She led the team in RBIs last season and has constantly come through in clutch situations at the plate, while holding a steady glove at the hot corner. Cooper and Ishibashi can patrol the position if necessary.
Nine student-athletes form the outfield ensemble, with senior Kristine Bechtholdt and redshirt junior Lauren Peters plugged in as daily starters. Abbott and freshman Samantha Melton will both look to get time in the outfield grass during their first seasons in Raleigh, while sophomores Bethaney Wells and Morgan Barbour stand as other options, with Wells recovering from offseason surgery. Warren and Presnell can also contribute, as can speedy senior Krystal Hawkins.
Freshman Caitlin Dent is pegged as a utility player, owning the ability to contribute as a starter or off the bench both offensively and defensively at second and third base.
Senior ace Lindsay Campana is set to lead the pitching staff for one more season, having no-hit Boston College last year and placing in the top-10 among all league pitchers in ERA (1.86), strikeouts (160), wins (13), opponent batting average (.228), innings pitched (154.1) and complete games (13). Sophomores Morgan Peeler and Stephanie Call each picked up one win last year in limited action due to injuries. Junior Aly Burr also returns after sitting out a year ago with a severe shoulder injury, as freshman Linzy Rother joins the staff.
2008 ACC Rookie of the Year junior Alyssa Allbritten remains a lock behind the plate, having established single season school records for doubles (19) and batting average (.348) as a freshman. Senior Claudia Cooper will continue to help with the catching responsibilities after seeing an increase in playing time last year.
Offensive production will figure heavily into the plans at first base, with four student-athletes vying for the starting job. Senior Allison Presnell has been a consistent run producer for the Pack throughout her career, while Call spent a good amount of time at the corner spot a year ago and looked good in the fall. Junior transfer Alicia Abbott, who was named Horizon League Newcomer of the Year as a freshman at Illinois - Chicago, wields a dangerous bat and can handle the defensive responsibilities, while Rother will look to make her mark as well.
Junior Alyssa Ishibashi has been a rock at second base over the course of the previous two seasons, both offensively and defensively. Sophomore Toni Ann Williford, who made tremendous strides in fall ball and the spring preseason, is poised to increase her playing time due to her offensive potential. Sophomore Landon Warren can contribute, having shown solid potential last season in spot starts at shortstop.
Shortstop is up for grabs, with sophomore Katie Mansilla and Warren competing against freshman Breanna Andrews. Mansilla served as a reserve a season ago, coming in during key pinch-running situations. Andrews brings raw talent and potential that needs to be refined and molded.
Third base appears to belong to junior Bridget Desbois who won the starting role outright towards the end of her freshman season. She led the team in RBIs last season and has constantly come through in clutch situations at the plate, while holding a steady glove at the hot corner. Cooper and Ishibashi can patrol the position if necessary.
Nine student-athletes form the outfield ensemble, with senior Kristine Bechtholdt and redshirt junior Lauren Peters plugged in as daily starters. Abbott and freshman Samantha Melton will both look to get time in the outfield grass during their first seasons in Raleigh, while sophomores Bethaney Wells and Morgan Barbour stand as other options, with Wells recovering from offseason surgery. Warren and Presnell can also contribute, as can speedy senior Krystal Hawkins.
Freshman Caitlin Dent is pegged as a utility player, owning the ability to contribute as a starter or off the bench both offensively and defensively at second and third base.
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