Jan. 24, 2001
Columbia, Mo. -
For the Missouri softball team, the year may change, the opponents might shift a little, but the goals remain the same-win the Big 12 Conference, be ranked in the Top-25 nationally, compete in the NCAA Tournament and earn a berth in the Women's College World Series. Head coach Jay Miller plans to do just that with his Tigers. Their last trip to the WCWS was in 1994, and for this squad, a return trip is due. Coach Miller will call on seniors Karen Williams and Stephanie Falk to help lead the team toward the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, May 24-28.
The team's schedule, however, will not play itself. The Tigers face several nationally ranked teams during the first month of tournament play, then open the Big 12 conference schedule competing against some of the top teams in the nation, including last year's national champion Oklahoma Sooners.
The depth of the Mizzou softball team will be an important factor as Missouri looks to fill open positions left by five graduating seniors. Pitcher Christy Caccavo, catcher Amy Farmer, outfielder Stacy Gemeinhardt, first-baseman Christy Skouby, and infielder Linda Swarts will all be missed, but their positions will be filled by a host of experienced Mizzou underclassmen. Returning eight starters and bringing in seven newcomers, Coach Miller shouldn't have any problem finding capable replacements.
The successful 12-game fall schedule helped the team solidify as a group, but didn't put the finishing touches on who would play at what position. "Our positions are not as set as I would have hoped. We have plenty of capable players and plenty of depth, but we may need to take the first part of the preseason to get the positions established," said Coach Miller.
The Schedule
The Tigers begin their 2001 run Feb. 9-11 in Tempe at the Fiesta Bowl Tournament. The Tigers will face some of the top competition in the nation: Massachusetts, Utah State, UNLV, Wisconsin, New Mexico State, and perennial Top-5 Arizona. This is the first year in four that the Tigers have not kicked off the season at the Metrodome Tournament in Minneapolis, but will still have a full plate as they compete at Arizona State.
Action will then return home as the Tigers face DePaul, Western Illinois and Northern Illinois in the Mizzou Round Robin at University Field Feb. 17-18. Western Illinois received an NCAA regional bid in 2000, and DePaul earned their second straight Women's College World Series berth. Mizzou won the weekend home tourney last year against Northern Iowa, UMKC, and Western Illinois.
To end a busy February, the team hits the road again, this time to Columbus, Ga., to participate in the NFCA Leadoff Classic Feb. 23-25, widely considered to be the premier preseason tournament in the nation. The Tigers will see action from nationally ranked Michigan and Fresno State as well as Georgia during their stay in the Peach State.
A week and three-quarters of the country later, the Tigers will step off the plane in St. George to compete in the Utah Tournament March 2-4. They will see 2000 WCWS qualifier Washington, as well as Utah, Santa Barbara, Stanford, and Southern Utah.
A nice reprieve from their cross-country trek, the Tigers return home for two March tournaments. The Missouri Round Robin features Iowa State, Tennessee-Martin, and Indiana State March 9-11 at University Field.
The final tournament is the Missouri Invitational March 16-18, where Temple, Pittsburgh and Indiana come to Columbia to challenge the Tigers in their own lair. Last year, the Tigers posted a 5-0 weekend record to win the Missouri Invitational, and look to do so again in 2001.
Other non-conference opponents the Tigers will face outside tournament play include Texas-San Antonio, Indiana, Indiana State, Evansville, Creighton, Southeast Missouri, and Missouri-Kansas City.
The Tigers begin their conference play with rival Nebraska on March 24-25. Conference meetings will be played the same as last year, where the opponents will meet twice in two days rather than a one-day doubleheader whenever possible.
After a two-week, sixteen-game homestand, the Tigers hit the road once again, this time to Norman, Okla., for two games with the national champion Sooners, then back home via Texas, stopping in San Antonio for a doubleheader and Austin for two Big 12 games against Texas.
The beginning of April is also the beginning of the meat of the conference schedule. Mizzou will see Iowa State, Evansville, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, UMKC, and Kansas (one game) at home, and will travel to match up with the likes of Oklahoma State, Baylor, Southeast Missouri, and Kansas (one game).
"I think we have a much stronger non-conference schedule this year," said Coach Miller. "It will make us better prepared for the conference games, which will be tough as always. But, with the Arizona State tournament, the Leadoff Classic, and Utah, we'll see some great competition. It gets us ready for conference and post-season play."
The Infield
The players are ready to go, but their positions are not set in stone. Such a diverse group of players works both ways. Many of them can step in at several different positions, which opening options for positioning the defense. However, each player needs time at her post so she can begin to feel comfortable. Everyone saw playing time in the fall season, so no matter how the starting lineup pans out, there's sure to be a wealth of experience and ability on the field.
Junior Lindsey Jacoby will continue to fulfill her duties at shortstop. She played all 12 fall season games and started 18 of 18 conference games last year, hitting .333 and earning 18 hits in as many games, the most on the team.
Third base will be covered by veteran junior Erin Erickson and freshman Rachael McGinnis. Erickson is one of Mizzou's most valuable all-purpose players, and will likely see time at first base and on the pitcher's mound as well. McGinnis comes in as the 2000 Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year, as well as being named to the 1st Team on both the Eastern Kansas League and all-metro teams. Either has experience and will be able to perform at the hot corner.
Freshman Jeni Schellert did a great job at second during the fall season, and will compete with fellow freshmen Ricki Walker and Kate Getty for the steady spot this spring. All are accomplished infielders and can capitalize on tremendous potential, according to Coach Miller.
Sophomore transfer Melanie Fisher and Erin Erickson will both see time at first.
The Outfield
The defense in the outfield is a huge strength for Mizzou, mainly due to the speed and agility of the outfielders. Senior Karen Williams will anchor the outfield and the team from centerfield. With a perfect fielding percentage last year, opponents should be wary anytime the ball comes near the veteran Williams.
Also in the outfield will be sophomores Sara Vassmer and Kristen Burke, and junior transfer Heather Allister. These three will cover duties in left and right field, giving the Tigers one of the speediest outfields in the Big 12.
Pitchers
Another big strength for Coach Miller is his pitching staff. Known throughout the country for his ability to develop world-class pitchers, Miller returns two hurlers who can both dominate right away. A 2000 Big 12 Pitcher of the Week, senior Stephanie Falk pitched a grand majority of innings last year, garnering a 1.87 ERA through 87 innings pitched in 12 appearances and seven complete games. Last year, Falk had a career-high 19 strikeouts against Southern Illinois, and pitched four straight games where she recorded 10 or more strikeouts.
Another Big 12 Pitcher of the Week last year, sophomore Ingrid Werner will also challenge opponents from the mound. She recorded the lowest overall ERA of any Tiger pitcher last year with an impressive 1.36, and has been a force since her first appearance.
Multi-purpose junior Erin Erickson can also hold her own on the rubber, providing a backup for the talented Tiger pitching staff.
Catchers
Junior Mary McGrane will step up to a more full-time role after splitting duties the past two years with Amy Farmer, who graduated last May. McGrane has matured and developed according to Coach Miller, as is ready to take over as a force behind the plate.
Freshman Daisy Mettlach and sophomore Melanie Fisher will also fill in at catcher.
Overall
"This is a really good group. They've got a great chemistry together, which helps them both on and off the field. There is a great leadership, and everyone has a very strong work ethic. They showed a good deal of progress through the fall season, and I am expecting great things this year. We have the squad to get it done," said Coach Miller.
Although the Tigers lost five seniors last year, there is a wealth of experience and talent in this year's squad. The only team to win a Big 12 Championship at Missouri, the Tigers are prepared to roar into the 2001 season and show everyone why there's pride in being a Missouri Tiger.
For the Missouri softball team, the year may change, the opponents might shift a little, but the goals remain the same-win the Big 12 Conference, be ranked in the Top-25 nationally, compete in the NCAA Tournament and earn a berth in the Women's College World Series. Head coach Jay Miller plans to do just that with his Tigers. Their last trip to the WCWS was in 1994, and for this squad, a return trip is due. Coach Miller will call on seniors Karen Williams and Stephanie Falk to help lead the team toward the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, May 24-28.
The team's schedule, however, will not play itself. The Tigers face several nationally ranked teams during the first month of tournament play, then open the Big 12 conference schedule competing against some of the top teams in the nation, including last year's national champion Oklahoma Sooners.
The depth of the Mizzou softball team will be an important factor as Missouri looks to fill open positions left by five graduating seniors. Pitcher Christy Caccavo, catcher Amy Farmer, outfielder Stacy Gemeinhardt, first-baseman Christy Skouby, and infielder Linda Swarts will all be missed, but their positions will be filled by a host of experienced Mizzou underclassmen. Returning eight starters and bringing in seven newcomers, Coach Miller shouldn't have any problem finding capable replacements.
The successful 12-game fall schedule helped the team solidify as a group, but didn't put the finishing touches on who would play at what position. "Our positions are not as set as I would have hoped. We have plenty of capable players and plenty of depth, but we may need to take the first part of the preseason to get the positions established," said Coach Miller.