Northwestern University Athletics
The 2001 Softball Outlook
2/6/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 6, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. -
The Northwestern softball team enters the 2001 season expecting to further their success of 2000.
"I think what you try to do each season is what you try to do every day - get better," said Head Coach Sharon Drysdale, who enters her 23nd season with the Wildcats. "We do return quite a few people, and we have some freshmen who will be very strong and immediate contributors to our program. We have a lot of changes within the team, and we'll see how quickly we can begin to mesh and pull together as a unit.
"The optimism is high and the team wants to get back to regionals and qualify for the College World Series."
The Wildcats return 14 players from last year's NCAA tournament participant and add three highly-touted freshmen. Though only two seniors are on the 17-member team, there is a lot of depth and experience gained with the eight sophomores and four juniors.
"We've got experience because we return starters," said Drysdale, "but this year they will be playing different positions. Though we graduated our starting first baseman, short stop and second baseman, we return back-ups at short and second and have a few people capable of playing first."
Co-captain Gretchen Barnes, who spent last season behind the plate, was second on the team with five home runs, and her slugging percentage of .433 was fourth on the team.
"Gretchen will continue to gain experience and confidence. I expect her to get better and better. She's experienced and very versatile, therefore she's capable of being used in many different positions."
Alyson Schulz will see playing time at both corners. Schulz hit .283 last season with 48 hits, eight doubles, three homers and 24 RBI. Cindy Muran, is expected to be in the mix at first base, as is Brett Nakabayashi.
At second base, freshman Carri Leto will see playing time as will co-captain Katie Gross, who walked on the team her freshman year.
"Katie loves to play and it shows in the way she plays. She's always hustling," said Drysdale.
Leto, one of the top recruits in the country, will make an immediate impact. Drysdale said Leto can play any position except pitch and catch.
"Carri has very good range and a good glove," said Drysdale. "She has a good sense of the game, gets on base and makes things happen. She's got all the tools but just lacks experience on our level.
Robyn Pettinger starts at short stop. She played in 21 games last year, backing up Tami Jones.
Senior Brooke Siebel will join Schulz at third. Siebel, who was Big Ten Player of the Year in 2000, led the team with a .362 batting average, six home runs and a .608 slugging percentage. She saw action on the mound in 25.2 innings in nine appearances last season.
"Brooke is an excellent hitter and lives to hit," said Drysdale.
The outfield returns all three starters from last season. Rane Gunderson started in left field last year, but is capable of playing left and center. She saw action in 53 games with 25 hits and 12 stolen bases.
"Rane is a good all-around player, improving offensively all the time," said Drysdale. "She can play defense with anyone. She's got a good arm, good technique, is quick and hustles."
Erin Jancic will play center field. She played and started in all 56 games last year, leading the team in hits, doubles, triples, RBI and tied Siebel with six dingers.
Brett Nakabayashi rounds out the outfield in right field, where she started all but one game last year. She led the team in runs (33) and stolen bases (21) and was third in batting average (.303).
Sophomores Andrea Caruthers and Jessie Wellnitz will look for playing time in the outfield. Wellnitz runs well and will be a key pinch runner for the team.
Senior Stacey Austin is a lefty slap hitter and the team's premier base and pinch runner. She will be used primarily in that role.
Behind the plate, freshman J.C. Kira will hold most of the responsibility while Barnes will provide depth.
"J.C. has very good defensive skills and an excellent arm. She has a great temperament for a catcher," said Drysdale.
Pitching will again be a strength for the Wildcats. Lauren Schwendimann, who pitched a perfect game against Michigan last season, will take command on the mound. She posted a 20-11 record with a 1.76 ERA, three saves and 223 strikeouts last season.
"We expect Lauren to be stronger than in the past," said Drysdale. " She is a power pitcher who throws hard, has excellent movement and a tremendous change. She did a good job shutting down Washington last year when they were ranked number one."
Sophomore Brie Brown will be a very important part of the pitching staff this year. She is a student of the game and has all the pitches.
"I believe we'll have a good staff that will help win games to the end," said Drysdale.
On offense, the Wildcats have a balanced attack with a mixture of slappers and sluggers. Nakabayashi, Leto and Austin are very capable slappers who can get on base, force errors, make things happen and generate runs. The power will come from Siebel, Barnes, Jancic, Schulz and Pettinger.
"I'm pleased with the balance we have in our attack," said Drysdale. "We are capable of playing the long ball and we can play the short game. We run well, have good game sense and play very aggressively on the bases."
