Softball 2009 season outlook

WILLIAMSTOWN, MA — Pitching and defense.

That’s what Williams softball coach Kris Herman (6th year, 129-70, .648) is laying as the foundation for her 2009 club. And while the Ephs may not own the largest roster in the region — they will carry 12 this season — there is still plenty of talent about.

Williams finished 19-20 last season and Herman welcomes back five senior starters from that team, including All-American shortstop Joey Lye, and veterans Libby Copeland-Halperin, Emily Fowler-Cornfeld, Morgan Simpson and Becky Sansone.

“They have great experience both from before college and here at Williams,” Herman said. “Clearly, they will be our leaders. As a group they bring a lot to the table, they are all strong hitters and they give us great versatility in the field.”

That versatility has Herman focused on improvement each day instead of determining who will play where in ’09. Lye is locked in at shortstop, but after that, you can count on seeing any one of the 12 anywhere on the field.

The Ephs have four pitchers who saw varsity action last season, including Simpson, who led the squad in innings pitched (87.1), wins (7), ERA (2.40), opponents batting average (.264) and strikeouts (63). 

Sophomore Mary Beth Daub had a strong first-year season, compiling a 3.36 ERA over 56.1 innings, and classmate Caitlin Cain hurled 43 innings and had a 3-3 record.

Senior Emily Fowler-Cornfeld, who has 13 wins in the circle over her first three seasons, will also be counted on heavily.

“We have four pitchers who can win games, so that’s huge for us,” Herman said. “Everything else follows pitching in our sport.”

Williams hit .293 as a team in ’08 and five of their top 7 batters are back. That starts, literally and figuratively, with lead-off batter Lye, who became the first Eph to play a complete season and finish with a batting average over .500 (.504). Lye led the team in hits (64), runs (41), doubles (8), triples (3), on-base percentage (.568), slugging percentage (.685) and stolen bases (12).

“I can’t say enough about her,” Herman said. “She has been a tremendous asset to our program and to Williams College. She’s our best all-around player, she’s versatile and she has the one trait I hope becomes the trait we all carry: she just loves to go out and play the game.”

But Lye isn’t the only outstanding offensive player for Herman. Sansone, who will likely play centerfield, hit .323 last season, drove in 24 runs and scored 31. Copeland-Halperin, who will see time both in the infield and in the outfield, was second on the team with five home runs and tied for first in runs batted in with 30. Cain produced a .268 average as a first-year and Fowler-Cornfeld batted .276 in limited action.

“We certainly don’t have a lot of depth, but we’re strong one through 12,” Herman said. “Everybody is going to have to do a lot of different things. Our plan is to be very aggressive on offense.”

Herman does have a couple of big holes left to figure out in catcher and third base. Behind the plate, she is looking at Cain and fellow sophomore Jessie Herzer to fill the shoes of the departed Katie Powers. Sophomore Carly Ameen has worked out at third, behind the plate and in the outfield.  Junior Jess Cross will be called upon for her speed on offense and play in the outfield. 

First-years Oriana Mcgee (Los Angeles, Calif.) will play second, third or in the outfield and classmate Allison Hart (Roswell, Ga.) offers strength and versatility all over the field.  Hart is sidelined with an illness to start the season and will join the Ephs on the field after spring break.

As usual, the Ephs face a difficult schedule at west in the Sun West Tournament and for the first time will also play a critical three-game conference series in California against Middlebury.

Williams made it to the NESCAC Tournament last season by virtue of its second place finish in the conference’s West Division. The goal is to get a little further this season.

“We’re excited about playing meaningful games early on,” Herman said. “We want to be back in the conversation in the conference, but more importantly, we want to improve every day and play well.”

Williams opens its season against Hamline Monday in Anaheim, Calif.