Mules return key players
Sarah Kirker
Issue date: 3/11/09 Section: Sports
Although the Colby softball field may still be buried under a few feet of snow, the team has been busily preparing for the season for well over a month. "We've had a set lifting schedule and twice a week captain's practices for awhile, and for the last month we've been working on drills and mechanics in the field house," said Alyssa Lepore '11. The indoor practice gives the team time to focus on the little things. Skills like accuracy in throwing and batting mechanics can take a squad from being a good team to being a great one. That being said, while the players have enjoyed perfecting their mechanics, the team, especially the outfielders who face quite a challenge in the low-ceilinged field house, are looking forward to spring break when the Mules will travel to Florida and get out on a real field for the first time.
Expectations are running high for the coaches and players this season. The Mules ended last season with a solid 17-14 record, and with the return of many key players, hope to improve upon this in 2009. The team looks very young on paper with a roster made up of only four seniors and two juniors along with eight sophomores and two freshmen.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Mules return the team leader in most offensive stats, Alex Essman '11, who led the team in home runs (10), total hits (39), doubles (9), triples (tied with 3), home runs (10), RBI (36) and slugging percentage (.824) in her first year. In addition to her offensive stats, Essman ended the year with just one error in her time patrolling right field. Essman capped off an impressive first year by earning New England Small College Athletic Conference second-team honors and looks for a repeat performance in 2009.
In terms of pitchers, the team can look forward to the return of captain Alyssa Crowell '09, and Brittany Tsai '10 from last season, as well as the return of senior Randi Arsenault '09 after a year off. Crowell finished the season with a 7-2 record, leading the team in the wins and innings pitched with 71.0. Tsai finished the 2008 season with a 4-4 record and the team's lowest ERA at 1.93. Arsenault chose to take a year off last season, but is looking forward to her return to the diamond this season.
Expectations are running high for the coaches and players this season. The Mules ended last season with a solid 17-14 record, and with the return of many key players, hope to improve upon this in 2009. The team looks very young on paper with a roster made up of only four seniors and two juniors along with eight sophomores and two freshmen.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Mules return the team leader in most offensive stats, Alex Essman '11, who led the team in home runs (10), total hits (39), doubles (9), triples (tied with 3), home runs (10), RBI (36) and slugging percentage (.824) in her first year. In addition to her offensive stats, Essman ended the year with just one error in her time patrolling right field. Essman capped off an impressive first year by earning New England Small College Athletic Conference second-team honors and looks for a repeat performance in 2009.
In terms of pitchers, the team can look forward to the return of captain Alyssa Crowell '09, and Brittany Tsai '10 from last season, as well as the return of senior Randi Arsenault '09 after a year off. Crowell finished the season with a 7-2 record, leading the team in the wins and innings pitched with 71.0. Tsai finished the 2008 season with a 4-4 record and the team's lowest ERA at 1.93. Arsenault chose to take a year off last season, but is looking forward to her return to the diamond this season.
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