Aiming for one goal

Since a spectacular 33-19 record-setting season, the expectations of the Georgia College & State University Lady Bobcats are high as ‘the Green Monster.’

Head Coach Windy Thees begins her fourth year leading the Lady Bobcats, and her expectations of her team are focused on success.

“Every year we hope to get better and stronger. This year we know we are going to make regionals,” said Thees. “We have a lot of confidence on our team that we will go on and have a great shot of going to the World Series and competing there.”

The Lady Bobcats set school records for wins with 33 while posting a 13-6 mark in Peach Belt conference games. The .635 overall winning percentage was also a school record, and for the first time the Lady Bobcats were ranked in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association national poll. Four seniors graduated from GC&SU last year. Among them were Rebecca Schweitzer, who was the team’s leading hitter and first baseman (.356, 7 HR, 41 RBI) and also pitcher Michelle Mayne who was the school’s all-time leader with 41 career victories.

Pitching
The Lady Bobcats return three pitchers. Senior Jennifer Joiner returns after earning All-PBC honors while leading the staff with a 14-5 record. She also set school single season records of 1.02 ERA and 142 strikeouts.

“I think the three pitchers from this year are going to step up, they have gotten better since last year,”
said Lady Bobcat Assistant Coach Kelly Zeilstra.

Senior Cathy Chandler (7-5, 2.35 ERA) returns for her senior year, along with sophomore Brook Harrison (2-4, 3.85 ERA), who also played well in right field last year. Chandler tossed the first perfect game in the school’s history and led the Bobcats to a 6-0 win against Georgia Southwestern.

“I think we are a talented pitching staff and we have a lot of experience,” said Chandler.

Infield
The other half of the battery is also solid with returning senior catcher Rebecca Heinicka and freshman Diana Baruffa, who will also play the middle infield.

Baruffa graduated from Centennial High School in Coquitlam, British Columbia. She played softball for the Burnaby Oakeys at the 2000 & 2001 Canadian Nationals and was named the Most Valuable Player in 2000.

The Lady Bobcats have good depth on the corners, Amy Davenport, a junior college transfer from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, will be starting at first base. Freshman Heather Jones will compete for playing time.

Davenport transferred to GC&SU from ABAC in Tifton, where she was named to the GJCAA State Tournament Team. Jones comes to GC&SU from Evans High School where she was the Most Valuable Offensive Player in softball.

Senior Kristin Hughes, who earned All-PBC and All-Region honors in her first semester at GC&SU, anchors third base again. Hughes was second on the team in batting average (.343) and shattered old school records with 11 home runs and 42 RBI.

“Kristin was an All-Conference player and All-Region, and this year she’ll hold down third base for us. She is real solid defensively and she is going to move into the four spot in the lineup cause of the power she brings,” said Thees. Heinicka is a power threat; in combination with Hughes, opposing pitchers need to be aware.

“Heinicka did well for us, and I know she was disappointed in her numbers last year, but those numbers definitely don’t reflect the talent she has,” said Thees. “I think this year with us having so much depth in power, there won’t be as much pressure on her, so she can go up there more relaxed and her numbers will improve this year.”

Senior Nickie Black returns to play second base. Black is the all-time leader in hits and runs scored, at GC&SU. Black batted .295 last year and led the team in stolen bases and sacrifice hits.

“We are going to have more speed this year,” said Thees. “This year we are going to be able to do a lot more hit and runs. Things that we couldn’t do before, can be done now.”

Junior shortstop Jill Williams returns after a knee injury that slowed down her sophomore year. She was only able to play in 17 games last year.

Outfield
There will be a lot of competition in the outfield, anchored by junior centerfielder Joni Frei. Frei earned All-PBC and All-Region honors last year while splitting time in the outfield and the infield. Frei batted .319 with five home runs and hit in the leadoff spot most of the year.

“I really want to be a leader on the team,” said Frei. “I also really want to be consistent. I rather hit a lot of singles and doubles as opposed to a whole bunch of triples. I’m not looking for the hero role, I’m just looking to be a leader and set examples.”

Senior Mandi Jones and junior Brin Davis will see a good amount of time in right field along with Harrison.

“Coach did some really good recuirting, and I think this is going to be the best season here at GC&SU,” said Frei.

Also competing for time in left field will be freshmen Aundrea Baker and Kristen Rutledge.

“We have five or six potential outfielders, and it really depends on who’s hitting,” said Zeilstra.

Baker was a three-sport athlete at Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone, competing in softball, basketball and track. She earned All-State honors in softball and was twice named Team Captain for softball and track. Aundrea was also a two-time “You Make a Difference” award recipient in softball. She twice earned All-Bi City and Honorable Mention All-State honors in softball and track. Rutledge attended Gordon College for one year where she was red-shirted after suffering an ACL injury.

After another year of competing well with some of the best teams in the nation, the Lady Bobcats are looking to take the next step.

“We are going to make it to the regional tournament, and if we peek at the right time, we have as good a shot as any team to win,” said Thees. “This year, for the first time the World Series is in Oregon. I have never been to Oregon and I would like to go.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Jan 31 2003. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry