Indiana University Athletics
2006 Softball Season Preview
2/1/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 1, 2006
The 2006 season looks to be one of the most exciting years for Indiana softball. With fresh new faces on the coaching staff, a seasoned pitching corps, bright new talent on the infield roster and veteran leadership, the Hoosiers are on their way to becoming one of the most competitive teams in the Big Ten.
Head coach Stacey Phillips knows this team has the potential, but it will be its ability to rise to the challenge that will make or break this season.
"We talk a lot about the difference between challenge and pressure," Phillips said. "When I bring up different things to the team, I make sure they understand it's a challenge and not an added pressure. The players have taken to that really well and are accepting every challenge the coaching staff has put on them."
The 2006 season has nothing but high hopes in store for it says Phillips, and the team has shown it will do anything it needs to do to make its goals happen.
"This team would try to run through a brick wall if we asked them to," Phillips said.
The Hoosiers will look for the bulk of their strength to come from its senior lineup in the circle, headed by Mariangee Bogado and Megan Roark.
"With the senior experience and leadership we have on the mound, I feel that is one of our strongest points this season," Phillips said. "Whether we are talking defense, offense or anything, pitching is definitely the top piece of the puzzle."
Bogado, Roark and junior Christy Wahl return to the Hoosiers after striking out a combined 282 batters last season, and will be looked to give Indiana a needed boost to stay in contests against what promises to be a tough schedule.
"If Mariangee and Megan do what they are capable of doing, we are going to hold some good teams to a low scoring output." Phillips said. "Christy is also going to give some depth to our pitching staff and will get some quality innings. I feel like she is going to have a breakout season."
Sophomore Janetta Deaven will be called upon to head the bulk of the duties behind the plate. A utility player a year ago, Deaven's arm and bat have improved into one of IU's strongest in the current lineup.
"Janetta is a sophomore that has come such a long way from a year ago," Phillips said. "She has a real strong arm to throw people out and will take most of the innings behind the plate. Rachel [Terry] also will see some time behind the plate. Rachel has had some experience prior to college behind the plate and is just a true competitor."
Terry will see most of her time at first base. She makes the move from third base to the opposite corner this season.
"Rachel is such a strong vocal leader and a competitor with a strong arm," Phillips said. "First base is another leadership position, and you need a strong vocal leader to take that spot. Rachel is moving to first for no other reason than we are a stronger team with Rachel there. You need someone who is able to communicate to the team little things from speed on first to when a bunt situation is coming up. Rachel fits that position perfectly."
A big challenge for the Hoosiers in 2006 will be overcoming their inexperience in the infield. With three freshmen, a sophomore and a junior slated to take the brunt of the infield duties, Phillips knows the key to their success will be communication.
"This team has already shown a great ability to communicate in games during the fall season," Phillips said. "With Rachel providing that leadership from first, we are going to have to stay vocal, especially with such a young infield."
The Hoosiers are looking at two freshmen to battle out the starting position at second base. Julie DiNallo and Sarah Padove, Indiana's newest additions, will be fighting for their spot in the IU lineup.
"Sarah and Julie have both shown great defensive ability in the fall season," Phillips said. "Their ability offensively will really tell the tale. Both have improved on their respective weaknesses in their game, and it will come down to whoever hits will play. Both are strong competitors and have accepted any responsibility we have given them. I will be pleased with whoever comes out of that dogfight."
While there are many unknowns in the coming season, Phillips has no doubt who will head the shortstop position.
"Stephanie Pellerito is a freshman and has shown she is the perfect fit at the shortstop position," Phillips said. "Steph has a deceiving quickness. She also has a very quick release."
Pellerito's desire to win and competitiveness in the game will bring nothing but good things for the Hoosiers.
"Steph's ability at the plate also is going to be a tremendous asset to this team," Phillips said. "Steph is a singles and doubles hitter, and will be looked upon to score runs."
Third base is one of the deepest positions on the IU roster, a strength coach Phillips sees could prove beneficial down the stretch.
"Rachel [Terry], Jennilee Huddleston and Kari Bettenbrock will all see some time at the third base position," Phillips said. "Jennilee has such a strong bat, and her ability to read the bunt and get there quickly makes her a frontrunner at the position. Kari is coming off an injury stricken freshman season, but has come back with a tenacious attitude and has worked hard to get back to 100 percent. Kari wants to help the team as much as she can. I anticipate she will see some time at not only third base, but as a designated player as well. She will probably be our primary pinch hitter when not directly in the lineup."
The IU lineup is full of role players and different athletes that will see time at multiple positions. Another student-athlete set to play a utility role will be sophomore Anna Olson who will see most of her time at the plate or in the infield.
"Anna is such a competitor and will be battling for the designated player position," Phillips said. "Anna is such a strong player and has the ability to hit the ball 280 feet. She has got great bat control and is working hard on better pitch selection. With those improvements, Anna is going to be hitting a lot more strikes and hitting them hard."
With the infield filled with a plethora of talented newcomers and some seasoned returnees, the Hoosiers will add a veteran outfield to the mix of strengths in 2006.
"Kim Richards will anchor centerfield for us this year," Phillips said. "Kim has a lot of experience and has already started at center for the past two seasons. Kim has a cannon for an arm, and her quickness to the ball has just improved every year. There are some times a ball is hit and I think that its going to the fence, but then I look up and there is Kim making the play. Kim is just a gamer and is always doing something that impresses me."
One thing Phillips has seen as one of her team's greatest qualities is its desire to win. That fact is no different for the Hoosiers in left field.
"Heather Hohs has made a full recovery from an injury she suffered in the off-season and will be 100 percent come spring," Phillips said. "Heather will be playing most of her time in left and also will see some time in center to give Kim a little bit of a break. Also seeing some time in left field will be Julia Hamilton. Along with her abilities in the outfield, Julia is the fastest player on our team and will see most of her time as a pinch runner. Julia is just a bulldog on the base path and has the ability to be one of the best pinch runners in the Big Ten. "
Also joining Hohs in left field will be what Phillips calls one of her most important role players on this 2006 squad.
"Abby [Page] is the heart and soul of this team," Phillips said. "She always has respected the game and always has been proud to wear the IU logo on her jersey. Abby is very competitive and has earned that respect from the coaches and the team. Her desire to win and do it in whatever capacity she is asked to makes her a very special player."
Senior Lauren Hines rounds out the Hoosier lineup at right field, and will be backed up by sophomore Rachel Carlson.
"Lauren is one of our top RBI hitters," Phillips said. "She is just a strong left-handed hitter and continues to work hard to improve her swing and pitch selection. Lauren wants this to be the best year of her career and will do anything to achieve that. Rachel also has worked hard during the off season, understands her role, steps in when needed and gives us that needed offensive push when called upon."
With a roster full of energy and a schedule that will test the Hoosiers in every single contest, Phillips wants nothing else than to make this a year to remember.
"Our coaching staff and players want this to be one of the best years and teams that have played at Indiana in a while," Phillips said. "We have the ability to make that happen with the tools and student-athletes we have this season. I tell the team all the time that this is their team, and we will go as far as they want. I am just on for the ride."
