2011 William Penn Softball Preview
William Penn Women's Athletics
2010 record: 44-13 (16-6 MCC, 2nd)
Starters returning/lost: 4/5 (1/1 pitchers)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 13/9
Notable returners:
Hannah Lugar Jr. Kalona
(First-team all-MCC, 22-7, 1.99 ERA, 186 IP, 149 K, 32 BB)
Khyia Lewis Jr. Ottumwa
(First-team all-MCC, .387 BA, 3 HR, 34 R, 30 RBI)
Ashley Stream Jr. Chariton
(Honorable-mention all-MCC, .316 BA, 4 HR, 45 R, 19 RBI)
Molly Miller So. Kalona
(.335 BA, 42 R, 24 RBI)
Notable losses:
Tyanna Helton
(Three-time All-American)
Kara Atkins
(Two-time all-conference)
Krystina Lorah
(All-conference)
Hailey Dreyer
(All-conference)
Notable newcomers:
Ashley Nieto Jr. Cement City, Mich.
Athena Rosario Jr. Bremerton, Wash.
Brianne Rowley Jr. Hood River, Ore.
Jennifer Whitehead Fr. Oskaloosa
Some of the best depth the program has had in years is expected to lead the Penn softball team to success in 2011.
In his tenth year at the helm, Head Coach Mike Christner is itching to get his team back to nationals after a three-year break (Penn advanced in 2005 and 2007).
While 2010 was another strong campaign, the team’s 44-13 overall mark and second-place finish in the Midwest Collegiate Conference race (16-6) was not enough to reach the ultimate goal of playing in the NAIA Championships. Penn reached the MCC Tournament Final, but fell to Mount Mercy 3-1.
“We had good year, but we had higher expectations,” Christner said. “It was productive and we played well for the most part, but we fell a game short of nationals.”
Recruiting was a bit slower than usual during the offseason as the Lady Statesmen return much of their lineup.
“With a large junior class coming back, we did not need to fill many positions,” Christner said. “The ladies worked hard in the offseason and really got after it. Everyone gelled well this fall and they are ready for the spring to get started.”
Pitcher
Hannah Lugar (Jr., Kalona, Mid-Prairie HS) headlines the most important position on the field. A two-time all-conference pitcher (first team in 2010), the junior was 22-7 last year with a 1.99 Earned Run Average. She struck out 149 batters against only 32 walks.
“Hannah is expected to remain one of the top pitchers in the league,” Christner said. “With two years of experience, we look for Hannah to step up and be a leader for us.”
Newcomers Jennifer Whitehead (Fr., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS), Amber Daly (Jr., Napa, Calif., Solano CC), and Kaylee Hutt (Fr., Albia, Albia HS) will battle alongside returner Jamie VanRheenen (Jr., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS) for time in the circle as well.
“Jennifer had a great fall and has really impressed us,” Christner said. “Amber is an off-speed pitcher who is not overpowering but she gets the outs. Jamie is developing and improving every time out and Kaylee is still in the process of learning the college game, but is getting better every day.”
Catcher
The spot behind home plate is a bit of a question mark entering the spring as a trio of returners will vie for the start.
Cassie Holt (Jr., Twin Lakes, Wis., Muskego HS) has the most game experience as she was the starter in 2009. Ashley Kingery (So., Knoxville, Knoxville HS) comes in with experience at the junior varsity level, while Amanda Christenson (So., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS) is stepping back into the catching spot after a two-year break.
“This is probably the number one position that is undecided,” Christner said. “All three are capable of taking the position. Both Ashley and Amanda have strong arms and the three will make a good battle for the starting spot.”
First Base
With the graduation of Tyanna Helton, arguably the most decorated player in program history with three All-America campaigns, first base is open for the taking.
Christner believes he has some very competent players who will be able to step in to fill the opening.
Returners Christine Gamble (Jr., Pahrump, Nev., Pahrump Valley HS) and Whitney Reber (Jr., Ottumwa, Ottumwa HS) have the experience, but newbies Alyssa Biery (Fr., Marion, Marion HS) and Rikki Picariello (Jr., Port Coquitlam, B.C., Olympic CC) have tools as well. Another option Christner has in mind is moving Brianne Rowley (Jr., Hood River, Ore., Blue Mountain CC) to man the position.
Gamble played in 17 games (five starts), hitting .107 in 28 at-bats. Reber saw the field in 13 games (one start) and was 2-for-5 for a .400 clip.
“Christine is a hard worker and has the most experience in our program,” Christner said. “Whitney is quick and has improved tremendously since last year. Rikki is the fastest player on the team, but needs to improve offensively, while Alyssa has a lot of potential on the offensive side of the ball.”
Second Base
A new face will be seen at second base as two-year starter Leah Mork has departed with the 2010 graduating class.
Four players are in a dogfight for the spot with 2010 redshirt Ashley Nieto (Jr., Cement City, Mich., Jackson CC) leading the group.
Cassie Lohman (So., Burbank, Calif., Providence HS) and Presley Joss (So., Osceola, Clarke HS) look for playing time in their second collegiate campaigns, while Kellie Ward (Fr., St. Louis, Mo., Parkway North HS) will let her speed do the talking.
Lohman is the only one of the four with varsity experience. She came off the bench 16 times in 2010 and scored three runs with one RBI.
“Ashley sat out last year and learned a lot about the program and game while doing so,” Christner said. “She is by far the quickest player we have ever had at turning double plays. We are looking for big things out of her.”
“Cassie will play either second or at shortstop,” Christner said. “She is a great athlete and player; we just need to find a place for her. Presley improved greatly last year and continues to get better. Kellie is quick, but like most freshmen, she needs to develop into a college player.”
Shortstop
Ashley Stream (Jr., Chariton, Chariton HS) is expect to be back in the saddle at shortstop for the third year in a row. After struggling through some injuries the past several months, she is near 100% and ready to compete.
Lohman and Molly Miller (So., Kalona, Mid-Prairie HS) are also looking for time at shortstop.
Stream hit .316 in 2010 with four home runs, 45 runs, and 19 RBIs. Miller had a phenomenal freshman season, hitting .335 with 42 runs and 24 RBIs.
“Ashley has improved her arm strength and will be ready to step up and be a leader for us this spring,” Christner said. “Molly is a solid player and is pushing for playing time. If Ashley struggles, Molly is more than capable of stepping in.”
Third Base
The hot corner will be manned by fresh meat as Rowley, Athena Rosario (Jr., Bremerton, Wash., Olympic CC), and Nicole Ohnmacht (Fr., College Springs, South Page HS) face off for the slot.
“Brianne is a good hitter and has the potential to our best hitter for both power and average,” Christner said. “Depending on what kind of production we get out of our current first basemen, she may find herself over there.”
“Athena needs to improve offensively, but she is potentially our best defensive player so she will earn innings because of that,” Christner said. “Nicole just joined us after the holiday break. She has raw talent that needs to be developed.”
Left Field
After posting a .333 average with 26 runs and 11 RBIs in 2010, Andrea Rensberger (Sr., Sioux City, Sioux City North HS) has the inside track in left field. The senior also paced Penn with four stolen bases.
“Andrea has gotten better every year and is a great #9 hole hitter for us,” Christner said.
With a year of collegiate ball under their belt, Miller and VanRheenen are hoping to get some time as well.
Center Field
Khyia Lewis (Jr., Ottumwa, Ottumwa HS) had a breakout season in 2010 and Christner is looking for even bigger things from her this year.
Lewis was the second-best hitter for Penn last spring, owning a .387 mark with three homers, 34 runs, and 30 RBIs. She was a defensive dynamo as well, recording five assists from center field.
“Khyia has really stepped up to the plate as a leader,” Christner said. “She is very committed to our success and should solidify the middle of our lineup.”
Depending on the catcher situation, Christenson may get some playing time as well. Polly Bustos (Fr., Montezuma, Montezuma HS) also adds depth to the position.
“Polly is still learning the intricacies of the college game and will only get better as she plays this spring,” Christner said.
Right Field
Brittany Labbe (So., Northridge, Calif., Chaminade HS) is ready for her time as a starter, but will receive a good challenge from Brittni Reyes (Jr., Vacaville, Calif., Solano CC) in right field.
A .308 hitter last season, Labbe scored ten times with five RBIs.
“Brittany had a great fall and is prepared to be in the starting lineup,” Christner said. “Brittni has good speed, but before she will see much time on the field, she must improve offensively.”
Designated Hitter
As always, the designated hitter role will be an integral one with several individuals vying for the spot.
Christner feels good about the position as he has a plethora of players who can add pop to the lineup.
Schedule
Christner never dodges the opportunity to play the best and 2011 will be no exception. The slate begins in mid-February with the Lady Statesmen traveling to Mississippi to compete in the Belhaven Sweet 16, a tournament with several highly-ranked programs.
Games against a few other ranked programs dot the schedule as Penn prepares for league play.
“We take on great teams right out of the shoot,” Christner said. “This will be a great experience for our team and will show our players what we have to do in order to have success. This schedule is going to test us every day and I am excited to see how we match up.”
Conference
Defending champion Mount Mercy has thinned out quite a bit since last season, opening the door for Penn to take over as league favorite. Christner feels that the MCC will be more even than normal this year with Grand View, Waldorf, Mount Mercy, and St. Ambrose all battling near the top with his Lady Statesmen.
“It should be a good dogfight with several teams,” Christner said. “We have five returning starters and the main bulk of last year’s team back. We can be as good as this squad wants to be. If they step up and commit to winning, we can be very good. The talent is there, but it will depend on how hard they want to work.”
