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2005 Season Outlook A solid group of five returning seniors and a talented collection of five freshman newcomers provide two big reasons for head coach Sue Carpenter to begin the 2005 Lady Jacket softball campaign with “cautious optimism”. Another factor that puts a positive note into the equation for the sixth-year head coach is the talented pitching duo of Natalie Fox and Allie Smith. The two combined to pitch every inning of every game last year (283) while totalling 250 strikeouts, a school-record 17 shutouts and allowing under two runs per game. “I am excited about the upcoming season,” commented Carpenter. “People are going to see some noticeable changes on the field this year. Our talent base is better and the depth in the roster will allow us to do more things. We want to improve on last year’s 27-win season.”
Senior right-handed hurler and co-captain Natalie Fox returns for her final season and looks to continue the success of last year. Fox posted 14 wins with 143 strikeouts and a 0.96 ERA including 10 shutouts in 2004 to earn All-American Mideast Conference South Division First Team honors and a spot on the NAIA Region IX Team. She was also a member of the NCCAA Midwest Region Team and the NCCAA Midwest Region All-Tournament Team. Co-captain Ginger Keithley will be the anchor of the outfield as she patrols centerfield. The fleet-footed senior switch-hitter batted .293 last season while finishing second in the AMC with 37 stolen bases in 40 attempts. Keithley’s efforts last year earned NCCAA Midwest Region and All-Tournament Team honors. Tara Munson will serve as another co-captain and hold down the second base position. The senior registered just 10 errors in 41 games while leading the Lady Jackets with 11 sacrifices. Senior Kailin Acheson scored 12 runs with two triples and a home run last year and adds depth and experience to the outfield. Senior catcher Courtney Thayer is back for her final year with the program. The veteran backstop hit a solid .250 last season with a team-best five doubles. Three juniors will be counted on for significant contributions. Allie Smith continues to improve every season on the mound and will seek to better last year’s 12 wins, 107 strikeouts and 1.54 ERA. Smith was a member of the 2004 NCCAA Midwest Region Team. Jackie Greetham earned All-AMC South Division First Team honors as a left fielder. She led the squad in hitting with a .365 mark, was third with nine stolen bases and did not commit an error in 29 games. Erin DiMeolo returns for her second year at CU and continues to improve her skills as a catcher. The lone sophomore on the roster is Courtney Brott. The shortstop, who started all 41 games in 2004, stepped in right away last season and put together a solid first year with the Lady Jackets.
Carpenter again expressed positive comments about the upcoming year by saying, “Our team chemistry, senior leadership, depth and pitching strength will help us compete for the AMC South Division title. The only unknown will be the level of contribution coming from our five newcomers.” Headlining that list of freshmen are third baseman Jessica Honeycutt and first baseman Whitney Kirby. Both are expected to start right away on the corners of the infield. Honeycutt is an excellent defensive player with quickness and power at the plate. She is a Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools All-State performer. Kirby adds immediate power to the lineup and is an all-state honorable mention selection from Ohio. Kandis Armstrong, a three-time all-state honoree from Michigan, brings an additional arm to the pitching corps, Aubree Munson – Tara’s younger sister – will push for playing time in the outfield while Andrea Walker adds quickness and depth in a utility role. The Jackets again travel to Fort Myers, Fla. during spring break to play 10 games in the Gene Cusic Classic. Just seven home dates – all doubleheaders – dot the 2005 schedule highlighted by a matchup against 2004 AMC South champion Ohio Dominican on April 26. The NCCAA Midwest Regional takes place in Spring Arbor, Michigan on April 28-30. | ||||||||
