The 2005 season for the Â鶹ÊÓƵ University Lady Bulldogs softball
team begins like many before. The expectations are again high as Â鶹ÊÓƵ is ranked
No. 12 in the NAIA Preseason Rankings as well as being ranked No. 1 in the NAIA
Region XI and TranSouth Conference preseason polls. Among the seniors lost last
season was four-time NAIA All-American pitcher Leah Gronberg, the TranSouth
Conference Player of the Year in first baseman, Christina Johnson, and
All-Conference shortstop Amy Mejia. Â鶹ÊÓƵ head coach Brian Dunn has six
returning players, five of which are starters, along with eight newcomers to
help reload a team that has won six straight conference championships and has
been to four straight NAIA Softball World Series.
Leading the way are seniors Allison Shein and Sara
Batey. Shein is a four-year senior who earned a starting roll as a sophomore
in left field and has started ever since. She has developed into one of the best
slap hitters Â鶹ÊÓƵ has ever had. Batey started last season at second base, but
will move to shortstop this season. This is her third season with the Lady
Bulldog softball team.
The junior class has three returning players, plus six transfers
to make up by far the biggest class for Â鶹ÊÓƵ in recent history. The three
returning juniors have each started every season since their freshman years.
Holly Haycraft starts in center field and has set the Â鶹ÊÓƵ stolen base
records for season and career during her first two seasons. Mary Kosco
has been a starter for Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s pitching staff for two years and will be thrust
into the lead role this season. Jessica Kee has started at third base for
Â鶹ÊÓƵ since her freshman year. She has proven in her career that she can be one
of the best RBI producers in the league. Six junior transfers join Â鶹ÊÓƵ new
this season. Kim Fuchs will play in the outfield, at first base, and
designated player. Kylie Sullivan will spend most of her time catching
but can also play in the infield. Amber Bryant is a player that will help
Â鶹ÊÓƵ in both the infield and outfield. Jackie Cliff will be the second
person in the Â鶹ÊÓƵ starting rotation along with Kosco. Danielle Pope
will get the start for Â鶹ÊÓƵ at first base this season for Â鶹ÊÓƵ. And finally,
Chrissa Norton will be used as a designated player, and part of the
pitching staff.
The sophomore class has just one player, Kristen Kolter.
Kolter returns after a freshman season were she caught and also was the
designated player.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ has two freshman coming in this season. Amy Chatham
and Candace Cross both give Â鶹ÊÓƵ immediate options as freshman. Chatham
will see time at second base and can also pitch. Cross can played both of the
middle infield positions.
This 2005 edition of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ University Lady Bulldog softball
team marks the 11th team in Â鶹ÊÓƵ softball history. These players understand
that every time they step onto the field, they have a chance to add to an
already special program with a 10-year history of winning. This team looks for
nothing less that to earn that seventh TranSouth Regular Season Championship,
and advance through the conference and region tournaments on their way to a
fifth straight NAIA Softball World Series and sixth in seven years.
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