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Tiger softball begins new season under new coach
2/6/2009
By RANDY GONZALES
rgonzales@dailynews.net
This year's team was already in place when Julie LeMaire was hired over the summer as softball coach at Fort Hays State University.
Come Saturday, LeMaire finds out what former coach Tonja Hadley left her.
"I already had the team set when I got here," LeMaire said.
Fort Hays opens the season Saturday in Denver with a noon doubleheader against Regis (Colo.) University.
The Tigers will play a noon doubleheader Sunday against Metroplitan State College of Denver.
"We're excited to get going this weekend, see what happens," LeMaire said.
When Hadley resigned after last year's 32-26 season to become an assistant coach at Colorado State University, Fort Hays chose LeMaire to take over the Tiger program. LeMaire comes to Hays after serving as an assistant coach at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla., for the past two years.
LeMaire knows what kind of team she wants to have, and the signing for next year of Thomas More Prep-Marian pitcher Maddie Holub and outfielder Alicia Hammeke fits that mold.
"I would like to have more balanced, versatile athletes," LeMaire said.
The new Tiger coach ideally wants a blend of power and speed on the bases. LeMaire spent a lot of time in preseason working on the club's hitting.
"We're putting a lot of focus on our hitting," LeMaire said. "We're going to have to find a way to make things happen, put the ball in play."
The Tigers will have to find a way to score runs after one of the top hitters in school history transferred after last season.
Jessika Anastos, a sophomore catcher last spring, batted .462 with 13 home runs and 44 RBIs.
LeMaire said losing Anastos is just one example of how different the Tigers will look this spring.
"It's kind of out of sight, out of mind," LeMaire said of Anastos' leaving the program. "Out of the top 10 people last year, eight are gone.
"With the coaching change and so many new players ... it's just OK, clean the slate," she added.
One of the returning players LeMaire is counting on heavily, both at the plate and in the field, is senior third baseman Hallie McMillen. Last year, McMillen hit .324 with four homers and 24 RBIs.
"Hallie is a wall at third base, she's got a great glove," LeMaire said.
"She definitely will be a key bat in our lineup."
McMillen also can catch, but LeMaire needs her at third base. Behind the plate will be freshman Cortney Brown. Backing her up will be junior Lindsey Wolf.
Junior right-hander Jessica Hamilton, who would be the team's third starting pitcher when healthy, has an injury to her throwing hand. Hamilton also is the team's best defensive first baseman, so LeMaire will likely use her in the field this weekend, but not let her hit.
At second base will be freshman Lauren Duran.
"She's going to be key for us, in the batting lineup and in the field," said LeMaire, adding Duran likely will hit in the No. 2 or No. 3 spot in the order. "She's a great contact hitter, and has some pop in the bat, too."
Senior Alex Eaton, a part-time starter who batted .189 last year, will start at shortstop.
"She's a senior who hardly got to play last year," LeMaire said. "I think she's someone who will really surprise people."
While McMillen anchors the infield at third base, the outfield is in flux. LeMaire said sophomore Sara Tani likely will start in center field and bat lead off, with sophomore Savannah Hall also in the mix. Tani hit .199 last season.
Several Tigers could play the corner outfield spots. Junior Adrian Mohr, the team's No. 1 pitcher, also is the best defensive left fielder. She likely will be in left when not pitching. Mohr hit .277 with two homers and 11 RBIs in 2008.
The Tigers' No. 2 pitcher, sophomore Kayla Rupa, is the best defensive right fielder, and will be out there when not pitching. Others in the outfield mix include sophomores Chelsea Luther, Danielle Lorenzini, Erin Kinsey and freshman Caleigh Duran.
Kinsey would be the Tigers' fourth starter, but LeMaire said she needs time to develop. Hamilton can't grip the ball with her pitching hand, so the Tigers will rely on Mohr, a right-hander, and left-hander Rupa this weekend.
"My philosophy for our pitchers is produce outs, and not strikeouts." LeMaire said.
Mohr started seven games last year and was 3-2 with a 3.50 earned-run average. LeMaire has worked with Mohr to develop a changeup.
"That's a pitch that could be really effective for her," LeMaire said.
Rupa started 22 games and finished 14-11 with a 3.31 ERA.
"Rupa has a nice screwball that tails away from right-handed hitters," LeMaire said. "She's got a nice rise ball -- when it's on, it's on."
Hamilton made 18 starts last spring, going 6-5 with a 3.95 ERA.
"Hamilton would be our third pitcher, but she's injured right now," LeMaire said. "She has good change of speed pitches."
LeMaire thinks she can put a good team on the field behind the pitchers.
"Our defense has been looking good," LeMaire said. "I think it will be a strength for us."
LeMaire has never been a head coach before, but she said things ran smoothly in preseason. Now, it's time to play ball.
"I'm not really nervous," LeMaire said. "More excited than anything."
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| 2/18 | SW Baptist | L 66-53 | |
| 12/1 | Oklahoma - Panhandle | L 66-60 (OT) | |