Jan. 26, 2005
Ask any player on the 2005 Notre Dame softball team about their off season workout schedule and the answers will be very similar. The words tough, hard and challenging come up often in the replies, as the team has dedicated itself to a strenuous workout schedule since its last game in May of 2004.
A frustrating end to the 2004 season has brought about a change in the attitude of the squad, which lost just a single player to graduation last year. Notre Dame entered the month of May with a 42-14 overall record and the BIG EAST regular-season title locked up. The season ended, however, with a 7-6 finish as the Irish missed out on their third-straight BIG EAST Championship and won just one game at the NCAA Region VII tournament in Ann Arbor, Mich.
That postseason experience has provided the team with motivation over the last eight months – a motivation to put the disappointment behind them with an outstanding season in 2005.
“This team has seen it all,” head coach Deanna Gumpf says.
“They have experienced success and failure – the good and the bad. There is a sense around this team that they are prepared for anything and are focused on taking the next step.”
It is difficult for the team to get past the 7-6 end to the season, but the record book will not soon forget the 2004 Fighting Irish. The team played a school-record record 69 games, won the program’s first bracket title (silver) at the NFCA Leadoff Classic and knocked off four ranked teams.
The team also transformed from a somewhat young and inexperienced team in 2004 to a veteran squad that will take the field in 2005. Last season, Notre Dame entered the year with three first-time full-time starters and five players learning new positions. The entire infield was new last year – and the year of experience will pay off when all of the infield players return this season.
Injuries also played a role in Notre Dame’s end to the ’04 season. Starters Liz Hartmann and Mallorie Lenn played through an assortment of problems, while rightfielder Kellie Middleton was lost for the year just two weeks into the season. All three players are back to full strength this spring.
With another challenging preseason schedule ahead, the Irish are also looking forward to the new postseason format in 2005. Collegiate division I softball has shifted to the baseball model, with both regionals and super regionals before the World Series. For a team that has labored through just two different postseason sites in the last four years, a change might prove to be a very good thing.
Here is a complete breakdown of the Irish roster by position.
Pitching Staff
Notre Dame boats one of the most experienced staffs in the country this season. Senior Steffany Stenglein and junior Heather Booth are the anchors of the crew with a combined 134 starts, while senior Carrie Wisen is poised to cap her career with a great year and sophomore Kenya Fuemmeler is ready to see increased time in the circle.
“They are a more seasoned and determined group this season,” Gumpf says.
“They have seen the highest of the highs and fought through some tough situations as well. I think all four of them are mentally and physically stronger this year.”
Stenglein and Booth are interchangeable as number one starters on the team – a situation that any coach in the nation would easily accept. Stenglein led the team in ERA last season (1.39) and won 21 games – putting a disappointing 2003 campaign behind her.
Steffany Stenglein enjoyed a career year in 2004, posting a 1.39 ERA, 21-10 record and winning the BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year award.
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“Last year was an important year for Steffany,” Gumpf says.
“She made huge strides and realized her full capabilities. I think she is poised to have an even better year this season.”
Booth has been Notre Dame’s most consistent starting pitcher over the last two seasons. She won 25 games in 2004, compiling a 1.45 ERA, 225 strikeouts and 11 shutouts. Along with Stenglein, Booth is a big-game pitcher who has thrown well against every level of competition.
“The best thing about Heather is her consistency,” Gumpf says.
“You know what you are going to get out of her every appearance. She is a great competitor out there and has worked at expanding her arsenal of pitches. That will benefit her this season, because it makes the pitches she has already developed that much more effective.”
Wisen saw a drop off in action last season (16 appearance, 3-1 record) due to series of minor injuries. Fully healthy entering the 2005 campaign, Gumpf knows that Wisen’s innings will increase during the conference season.
“We are a better team in the BIG EAST when Carrie is pitching,” Gumpf says.
“I expect her to be back up to her previous numbers this season. She has dominated conference opponents during her career and hopefully will do so again this year.”
Fuemmeler made just one appearance during the 2004 season, but played a key role as a pinch runner for the Irish while she adjusted to pitching at the Division I level.
“Kenya will see more action this season,” Gumpf says.
“She is stronger, more consistent and the movement on her pitches has improved. She has figured out what she needs to do to be successful at this level.”
Catcher
First-team all-BIG EAST selection junior Mallorie Lenn returns this season to lead the catching group. Bothered by knee problems last season, Lenn still gutted through 68 games to hit .281 with 31 RBI and threw out 12 base runners. Fully healthy for 2005, Gumpf expects great things from her number one catcher.
“Mallorie just finds a way to get the job done every day,” Gumpf says.
“She is great with the pitchers. She has an ability to put each pitcher in their comfort zone and that is an ability that is very hard to teach.
“She also is a great hitter and should be able to put up career numbers this year.”
Sophomore Carissa Jaquish played in 65 games last season, switching back and forth from DP to catcher depending on Lenn’s starting status. Adjusting to Division I competition, Jaquish struggled a bit at the plate with a .214 average, but she did drive in 14 runs and make just three errors defensively. She also is flexible enough to see time in the outfield if needed.
“Carissa will see some time behind the plate and some other places in the lineup as well. She is a great utility and has the ability to play anywhere.”
Sophomore Gessica Hufnagle made four starts at catcher last season and plays a key role preparing the Irish pitchers during games.
“Gessica has improved every aspect of her game since last year,” Gumpf says.
“She does a great job with the pitchers and is developing into a dependable defensive catcher.”
First Base
The Irish will have no problems at first base this season, as junior Meagan Ruthrauff returns to the position after a stellar campaign in 2004. Ruthrauff produced 54 RBI last year – the second-highest total in school history – and bobbled just two balls at first base for an impressive .995 fielding percentage. Ruthrauff also drew a school-record 36 walks in ’04 and is one of the most difficult outs in the Irish lineup.
“Meagan has matured into a dedicated student of the game,” Gumpf says.
“She has changed her mental approach and that will help her become and even better hitter – and she is already one of the best in the conference.”
Second Base
Gumpf is excited about her projected starter at second base. Junior Sara Schoonaert turned in an outstanding defensive season at shortstop last spring, but Gumpf thinks Schoonaert could be one the best the Irish have ever had at second base.
Sara Schoonaert is expected to have a break-out year at second base in 2005.
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“Sara was a great shortstop but she has the potential to be an All-American at second base,” Gumpf says.
“She has a great sense for the game and gives you shortstop hands at second base. I think she can be a .300 hitter this season and develop into one of the best second basemen in the country.”
Shortstop
Freshman Katie Laing will be given the opportunity to shine at shortstop as a freshman this season and was brought into the program for her outstanding speed and range in the left side hole.
“We are excited about what Katie brings to our program,” Gumpf says.
“Her summer ball coach called her a `Little General’ and I think that fits perfectly. She brings everything she has to the game, solid offense, outstanding range and a great arm.”
Third Base
Senior Liz Hartmann moved from leftfield to third base last season and turned in a career year, hitting .268 with eight home runs, 31 RBI and a solid .949 fielding percentage on the hot corner. She also played through a series of injuries which will require Gumpf to keep an eye on her health during the season.
“The main thing with Liz is keeping her healthy,” Gumpf says.
“She has really concentrated on this season. She knows this is her last year playing and is focused on making it her best. When healthy, Liz is simply deadly at the plate and great defensively.”
Hartmann has provided several dramatic moments in her career with the Irish, hitting game-winning home runs against two highly-ranked Nebraska teams and cranking 24 career homers out of several different parks around the nation.
Should Hartmann’s injury problems pop up again, Ruthrauff could be shifted across the infield to play third base (which she did when Hartmann missed two games in ’04).
Outfield
Centerfield is described as the anchor to the outfield and that statement fits the make up of the 2005 edition of the Irish softball team. Senior All-American and team captain Megan Ciolli returns for another stellar campaign this year, looking to continue her assault on the Irish record books.
Ciolli currently ranks second (.367) on the all-time batting average list at Notre Dame after hitting .397 in 2004 with 81 hits, 23 RBI and 20 stolen bases. She earned third-team All-America honors by the NFCA in ’04, along with becoming Notre Dame’s sixth-straight BIG EAST Player of the Year.
“I expect great things both on and off the field from Megan this year,” Gumpf says.
“She will lead the team offensively on the field and emotionally off the field.”
On Ciolli’s right will be junior Kellie Middleton, while her left side will be watched over by sophomore Stephanie Brown.
Middleton was off to a great start last year (.391 in eight games with a game-winning home run) before suffering a season-ending injury in practice. Back to full strength this season, Middleton is ready to continue her outstanding work on the basepaths – as she is easily the fastest player on the roster.
“It is great to have Kellie back in the outfield,” Gumpf says.
“You automatically think of her pride, determination and the power she has from within to come back from her injury. She has made a remarkable comeback and looks to be back to her previous level of play.”
Brown makes the move from second base to the outfield, providing the team with speed and abundant athletic ability in rightfield. She tied teammate Liz Hartmann’s freshman record for home runs in ’04 by hitting seven out of the park and finished with a .301 average, 30 RBI and 11 stolen bases.
“Stephanie is taking on a new challenge this season which I think she will handle well,” Gumpf says.
Making a move out to rightfield from second base, Stephanie Brown will provide the Irish with increased speed and athletic ability on defense and a depenable bat with some pop on offense.
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“She has been very accurate with her throws from the outfield and opposing teams should think twice before they try to run on her. She also has the ability to make great plays while on defense and her offense continues to get better and better.”
Should Brown be called back into the infield, senior Nicole Wicks will be a capable plug in. Pushed into full-time duty last season, Wicks appeared in 67 games (making 60 starts) and hit .229 with 14 RBI and 12 stolen bases.
“Nicole brings aggressiveness on the basepaths and just finds a way to score when she is on base,” Gumpf says.
“She is strong defensively as well and will play a key role as our top pinch runner.”
Depth in the outfield will be provided by two freshmen – Brittany Glynn and Sarah Smith.
“Both players will give us depth and several different options at pinch runner. Brittany brings a great attitude to the game and has embraced her role on the team. Sarah has a strong arm and great speed and might develop into a triple threat (bunt, slap, hit away) at the plate.”
Typical of a Notre Dame softball schedule, the preseason tournament slate is loaded with talented teams that will challenge the squad over the first five weeks of the year.
According to the preseason USA Today/NFCA Top 25 #2 UCLA, #14 Tennessee, #19 Fresno State, #20 Long Beach State, #21 South Florida and Florida, Northwestern, Arizona State, DePaul and Pacific (all of whom are receiving votes) are just a few of the top teams the Irish will face this season.
Irish head coach Deanna Gumpf knows that her 2005 team is capable of becoming one of the best teams in the country in 2005.
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“The senior class has had this type of schedule the last three years and have told the younger players that this is the way it is at Notre Dame,” Gumpf says.
The Irish also will welcome the BIG EAST Championship to town, as the City of South Bend will serve as the tournament’s host this year at the Belleville Complex on the west side of town.
The 2005 season holds a lot of promise for the Irish softball team. A disappointing end to the 2004 season provides the motivation. A demanding offseason workout program has set the foundation. A veteran group of players will bring the experience required and a new postseason format provides new opportunities.
Now, the Irish just need to take all these ingredients and produce a memorable ending to the 2005 campaign.