Northwestern University Athletics
The 2000 Northwestern Softball Outlook
2/3/2000 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 3, 2000
EVANSTON, Ill. - The unpredictability of youth. With nine talented freshman and seven sophomores composing the majority of the 20-player roster, it is difficult to guess what is in store for the 2000 Northwestern softball team. However, with a lineup that features a combination of speed and power and a pitching staff that mixes youthful power with veteran savvy, it promises to be an exciting season on the banks of Lake Michigan.
"We have a good deal of experience in certain positions, especially up the middle," says head coach Sharon Drysdale. "One of the major differences this year is that we have more depth which gives us some flexibility. It will be exciting to see this group come together on the field."
Nowhere is this new-found depth more necessary than on the mound. After watching junior standout Brooke Siebel appear in 45 of the team's 61 games last season, Coach Drysdale has added a pair of hard-throwing newcomers to the staff. Freshmen Lauren Schwendimann and Brie Brown will be counted on to make an immediate impact and ease Siebel's workload. Both bring something different to the table. Schwendimann, who Drysdale labels "the hardest thrower on our staff," is a pure power pitcher who gives the 'Cats an added dimension. Although not as overpowering, Brown has all the tools to have a successful freshman campaign.
"Brie has all the pitches and is very confident on the mound," says Drysdale. "She threw very well in the fall, and I expect her to get stronger."
These two newcomers will be nice complements to Siebel, the returning ace, who led the staff in every pitching category last year. A two-time All-Big Ten and All-Mideast Region selection, Siebel won 19 games and threw her first career no-hitter last year.
"Brooke pitched a lot last year and we're counting on her to provide experience since she knows what Division I softball is all about." says Drysdale. "She's played against the best teams in the country and been very successful. She's going to have some help this year and I think it will make her even stronger."
Offensively, the Northwestern lineup card will be filled with a healthy balance of speed and power.
"We have always tried to have a balanced attack," states Drysdale. "However, the last few years, we became more of a running team. This season, we have some people who can hit the ball out of the park."
One of those longball hitters is Siebel, who, once again, will fill the role as the team's primary run-producer. Last season, Siebel led the team in batting average (.340), home runs (6) and RBIs (a NU single-season record 39) while hitting in the clean-up spot.
"Brooke is such a tough competitor," praises Drysdale. "She is so focused that you often see her sitting in the dugout with her helmet on waiting to hit."
Sophomore Gretchen Barnes, who started all 61 games last year while shifting between third base and catcher, will permanently move behind the plate this year. Barnes had a solid freshman season, belting five home runs and driving in 21 runs. She will be counted on to improve on those numbers while handling and developing the young pitching staff.
"Gretchen has a great temperament behind the plate and is very positive," says Drysdale. "Being only a sophomore herself, she will work well with our young pitchers and will be able to develop right along with them."
The infield is the one area that will have a familiar look, as three senior starters return. Jenn Shull, who was the team's primary catcher a season ago, will move back to her more natural position, starting at first base this season.
"Jenn has good size and a good glove," explains Drysdale. "She is a very good target over there so it should be a good move for us."
The 'Cats should also be strong up the middle, as a pair of speedy three-year starters return. Mikie Chambers, fourth on NU's career stolen bases list, returns at second base. Chambers, one of the team's catalysts at the top of the order, set a school record by scoring 39 runs last year. She also finished third in the Big Ten in stolen bases, swiping 31 bases in 36 attempts. Tami Jones, coming off her best season, is the imcumbant at shortstop. A third-team All-Big Ten selection last year, Jones hit .282 with 13 doubles and 24 stolen bases as one of the team's table-setters.
"Mikie and Tami give us solid leadership in the middle of the diamond," says Drysdale. "They work very well together."
The veterans in the infield should help ease the transition for whichever freshman claims the third base job. Alyson Schultz and Robyn Pettinger are both talented freshmen who should see plenty of playing time. Both are solid hitters with the ability to hit the long ball.
Senior captain Brittany Nelson, a former starter, is a proven and capable utility player who will see significant action. Sophomore Katie Gross also provides quality depth in the middle infield.
In the words of Coach Drysdale, "We have a lot of outfielders, and we have a lot of young outfielders." Sophomore centerfielder Erin Jancic is the veteran of the group with only 57 games under her belt. As a freshman, Jancic established herself as a player to watch, hitting .337, driving in 27 runs and stealing 14 bases. She was excellent in the field as well, recording 11 outfield assists. However, unlike last year when she was flanked by two seniors, Jancic must now assert herself as the captain of the outfield.
"Erin did an excellent job last year, both offensively and defensively," says Drysdale. "I'm very happy to have her out there and I think she will develop a lot more this year."
Sophomore Rane Gunderson can play left or centerfield, while freshman Brett Nakabayashi is the rightfielder. Gunderson saw action in 35 games a season ago but had just nine at-bats as she was used mostly as a pinch-runner. Nakabayashi, a four-year all-city selection from Irvine, Calif., provides another left-handed bat and has good speed.
"Rane has improved tremendously during the offseason," states Drysdale. "And Brett has the ability to put the ball in play, pressure the defense and make things happen."
Freshman Cindy Muran has good power and can play all three outfield positions. Junior Stacey Austin provides speed off the bench, and freshmen Helen Barry, Andria Caruthers and Jessie Wellnitz will be capable back-ups.
"We have a good attitude and some good tools to work with," said Coach Drysdale. "We're going to be a better team this year. We've got better pitching, more offensive threats and more depth. We just need to put it all together."
