After capturing an NCAC Tournament championship in 2007, the Allegheny softball team has been tripped up in consecutive years during the conference postseason.
Then-freshmen – and now senior captains – Maggie Bodenlos and Katie Wills will have their final opportunity to win another conference title in 2010.
As leaders of a squad which compiled a 24-18 overall record and 9-5 slate in NCAC play, Bodenlos and Wills aim to get the Gators back to the top of the conference. In order to do that, Allegheny needs to replace six starters, but have the ability to do so with a very athletic freshman class.
“Leadership will be a strength for us,” head coach Sandra Sanford said. “Having the consistency of Maggie and Katie at their respective positions will be crucial for an otherwise young defense.”
Bodenlos, Allegheny’s third baseman, returns after a year in which she was named to the All-NCAC First Team and All-Central Region Third Team. She had her best year to date, leading the squad in several categories including hits (56), runs (42), home runs (7) and triples (3).
Wills was the team’s top hitter, compiling a .411 batting average, after sitting out the Rebel Spring Games (Kissimmee, Fla.) with an injury. After starting out the season as Allegheny’s center fielder, she transitioned to second base and ended up with All-NCAC Honorable Mention and All-Central Region Third Team honors.
Heading into their fourth season together, there is no doubt how dedicated Bodenlos and Wills are to the Gator softball program.
“Both of our senior captains are significant contributors on and off the field,” Sanford added. “Their leadership has been fantastic. I have really been pleased with their growth and how they have embraced their leadership roles. They set a great example and are the epitome of what our program stands for as far as character and commitment.”
Junior Amanda Downey is the lone returning pitcher. She came on strong at the right time, pitching seven valuable innings at the NCAC Tournament. After working three innings in a 10-6 win over Ohio Wesleyan, Downey fired four perfect innings of relief against Hiram, giving the Gators a shot to come back in a 4-2 loss before eventually falling short.
“She’s a workhorse and a great mentor for the rest of our young pitching staff,” Sanford said of her veteran. “I’m excited for her this season. She ended last year on a strong note and I look forward to seeing her work on her consistency. She has a lot of experience and that maturity will serve her well.”
Junior Sara Doan and sophomore Felicia Gowanlock complete the group of returners.
After making only 10 appearances during her freshman year, Doan played in 41 of 42 contests in ’09. Allegheny’s regular left fielder, Doan batted .220 with three doubles and nine RBIs.
Gowanlock compiled a .333 batting average in limited time due to an injury. While playing in six games, she finished with a double and an RBI. She is expected to be the Gators’ regular catcher.
“Felicia is a very astute catcher,” Sanford said of Gowanlock. “She really knows the game and has a great ability to connect with her pitchers. She’s in tune to where each pitcher is mentally.”
Among the freshmen, Stephanie Fort, Darian Ouzts and Brittany Rung figure into Allegheny’s pitching plans. Fort and Breanna Appleby may also see time in the infield while Sophia Katz and Nicole Rodi are outfielders.
“The freshman class is a very athletic and talented group,” said Sanford. “We have players who are very versatile. Most of them are multi-position players which speaks volumes of their athleticism.”
The coach believes the small roster has enabled the team to bond quickly.
“One of our strengths will be our camaraderie and chemistry,” she said. “We have a small, but close-knit team. That has the potential to take us far.”
Sanford continued, “We’ve got some new players that came from successful high school and travel ball programs. With the support of our captains, I look forward to watching our young players evolve quickly and impact us significantly.”
As always, the Gators’ schedule is loaded with strong competition which includes six programs that appeared in – and combined for an 18-13 record – during last season’s NCAA Division III Tournament.
Allegheny will open its season in Maryland at Salisbury’s Sea Gull Invitational. While there, the Gators will take on Salisbury which played in the 2009 World Series. Rutgers-Camden, the 2006 National Champion, will also be an Allegheny opponent.
“We start out strong right out of the gates,” Sanford said of the trip to Maryland. “It’ll be challenging, but it’s good to get that kind of competition under our belts. It gives us a week back home to make corrections and prepare for the Spring Break trip.”
The Gators’ trip to Florida will be unlike others in recent years. Instead of going to Kissimmee for the Rebel Games, the Blue and Gold will compete in the National Training Center Spring Games in Clermont.
In Clermont, Allegheny will meet up with three more 2009 NCAA Tournament participants including DePauw, Eastern Connecticut State and Wisconsin-Whitewater. DePauw reached the championship round of its regional and Whitewater defeated eventual NCAA runner-up Coe, but neither program boasts the resume of Eastern Connecticut – a four-time National champ.
Upon returning north, the Gators have dates with Buffalo State and NCAC rival Hiram – two other Tournament teams.
Despite the smaller roster, Sanford still intends to have her team competing for conference supremacy – a feat which increasingly gets tougher. Seven of the eight NCAC teams have qualified for NCACs in the past five years and four different schools have won NCAC Tournament titles in that span.
The Gators have been a consistent factor in the conference – usually leading the pack – with three NCAA Tournament championships and two regular season titles from 2004-09.
“I believe this will be another year where there’s a lot of parity,” the coach added. “Once again, it will be a dogfight. Every conference game will be crucial and that makes for an exciting season.”