2009 Softball Season Preview

Jan. 30, 2009

Featuring a mix of experienced letterwinners and talented freshmen, the 2009 Michigan State Spartans are looking to continue their growth as a team and finish in the upper-echelon of the Big Ten standings after posting their best conference finish in five years last spring. MSU returns nine letterwinners, including six position players and three pitchers, in addition to adding seven newcomers. Although the Spartans are youthful - 12 of the 16 players on the roster are either freshmen or sophomores - head coach Jacquie Joseph likes the makeup of her team.

"We're young this year, but that is not a disadvantage because the pitching is deeper and the quality of the incoming class is high," said head coach Jacquie Joseph. "We have big shoes to fill offensively, but our lineup has a chance of being even more balanced."

This year's senior class - second baseman Gina Mondo, catcher Kara Weigle and pitcher Megan Hair - will be counted on to provide leadership for the younger players. The lone junior, Kelly Confer, returns to the mound and infield this season, while five sophomores look to improve upon their successful freshmen campaign. After losing key players from last season's lineup, five of the seven newcomers will look to fill a starting position.

"Overall, I feel good about the depth of the staff, as well as the condition and shape that we're in," said Joseph. "I look forward to the 2009 season and hope to continue the success of the Michigan State softball program."

INFIELD
Leading the charge will be four-year starter Gina Mondo at second base. The leading returner, she ranked second on the team with a .337 batting average and posted a .977 fielding percentage in garnering second-team All-Great Lake Region honors. Mondo was one of three Spartans to start all 56 games. She also led the team with 10 doubles and had a second-best seven home runs.

"As Gina's fourth year starting, we expect her to be one of the main leaders of the infield," said Joseph. "She had a great fall and we're expecting a lot from her both in productivity and leadership." Sophomore Heidi Purtzer returns to the Spartan infield at first base after appearing in 44 games last season. She recorded 103 at bats, tallied 18 RBIs and notched her first collegiate home run against Youngstown State. Purtzer also posted 283 putouts and 20 assists in her first season with the Spartans. Backing her up at first will be junior Kelly Confer who saw action in 30 games last season.

"Heidi started 39 games last year, gaining valuable experience," said Joseph. "We expect her to make a big jump this year and take on a bigger role. Meanwhile, Kelly Confer will backup the infield when not pitching, seeing time at first and third base."

Taking over the shortstop starting role will be sophomore Lindsey Hansen. As a freshman, she made 42 appearances with 27 starts, posting 11 runs, 19 hits and eight RBIs. Hansen also recorded 158 putouts, the third best on the team, and had a career-high 14 putouts playing first base in game two of a doubleheader against Penn State.

"Lindsey gained valuable experience last season with a lot of playing time," said Joseph. "She has a tremendous arm and will anchor the infield as the shortstop."

Newcomer Melanie Bensema will see time at third base for the Spartans, while fellow classmate Ali Grant will back up second base and shortstop, along with seeing time in the outfield. After having a successful fall, both look to make an immediate impact.

"Melanie has a great chance of starting third base," said Joseph. "She played there throughout the fall and improved tremendously. Ali primarily saw action in the outfield during the fall, but looks to fill in at both the infield and outfield."

Jessica Bracamonte will anchor the outfield

OUTFIELD
Canvassing the outfield in center is All-Big Ten Tournament Team honoree Jessica Bracamonte, who returns with the most experience. She started 45 of her 46 games played, recorded a .254 batting average with three home runs and 21 RBIs.

"Jessica had a great first season with the team," said Joseph. "She provided depth toward the end of the season, allowing us to finish strong. We'll look for her to mentor a young outfield."

Playing in the utility role last season, sophomore Karen Fox looks to transition her speed to the outfield where it can be utilized. Joining her are freshmen Lori Padilla and Ali Grant. All three will compete for the vacant starting roles in left and right field.

"Karen and Ali saw action throughout the fall in the outfield," said Joseph. "It will be a tough competition between the three but it will allow us to have depth in the outfield this season."

CATCHERS
Pacing the Spartans from behind the plate will be Kara Weigle. Starting 49 of the 53 games she appeared in as a junior, Weigle was fifth on the team with a .294 batting average. She notched a team-high 18 sacrifice hits, ranking 12th nationally in sacrifice hits per game.

"As one of two starting seniors, we'll look to Kara for leadership," said Joseph. "She's willing to sacrifice her individual statistics for the team. With that kind of dedication, we expect her to have a great year."

Newcomer Brett Williams will provide backup for Weigle as she saw action during fall play and is expected to contribute.

"After being named to the Indiana All-Star team in 2008, I look for Brett to provide vital relief for Weigle when needed," said Joseph.

PITCHERS
Sophomore Shae Bass returns to the mound as the Spartans' starter. In her first season with the team she made 23 appearances, starting 13 games. She notched an 8-6 record with a 3.93 ERA and posted 50 strikeouts in 78 innings. Senior Megan Hair also returns having pitched in 12 games, posting a 3-2 record with a 2.68 ERA.

"Shae brings a wealth of experience having played a key role last season," said Joseph. "We look to her to provide valuable innings for us this year. Meanwhile, Megan Hair looks to have a breakout year. She's seen limited action her previous three years, but she provides a sense of leadership to our pitching staff. After hard work this off season, she's ready to get started."

Kelly Confer appeared in 17 games in 2008, providing significant mid-game support, and will supply depth to the staff as a junior.

Joseph adds one additional pitcher to the staff for the 2009 season, a southpaw from Florida, Lauren Kramer. She posted a 1.09 ERA and a 17-5 record her senior season at St. Thomas Aquinas, and a 61-23 record in her four-year varsity career.

"Kelly has fully recovered from a shoulder injury and had a tremendous fall in preparation for the season," said Joseph. "I'm also excited to have Lauren as a Spartan. After having a successful high school career, we hope to transition her to collegiate level and continue her success."

SCHEDULE
This year's schedule features eight schools that reached the 2008 NCAA Division I Championship, including three teams that made it to the Super Regionals.

"This year's schedule is a little different than most in that we will be traveling to some new sites," said Joseph. "I believe the schedule will sufficiently challenge our young team, while preparing us for the rigors of the Big Ten schedule."

The Spartans open the season with five out-of-state tournaments, beginning with the Blue and Gold Felsberg Memorial Tournament in Miami, Fla. MSU will then participate in the FGCU Spring Break Invitational in Fort Myers, Fla., the following weekend before traveling to Birmingham, Ala., for the Magic City Classic. The Green and White wrap up the tournament schedule over spring break week, beginning with the Tar Heel Invitational in Chapel Hill, N.C., and concluding with the Coastal Carolina tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C. MSU will face teams ranked in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Preseason Top 25 Poll, including DePaul, North Carolina, and Missouri in tournament play.

Big Ten play begins on March 21 with the Spartans traveling to Columbus, Ohio, for two games with the Buckeyes, while the debut of the recently renovated Old College Field is set for Tuesday, March 24 against Western Michigan. The Spartans will play a total of 20 conference games, concluding the regular season against Michigan on May 9. For the first time since 1994, the conference will not have a postseason tournament.

"The Big Ten is better than ever this year," said Joseph. "We have two teams returning in the Big Ten from Super Regionals, and an additional two teams made the NCAA Tournament field. I don't know what the impact of not having the Big Ten tournament will be, but I think it will have a positive effect in the sense that whoever has the best team will not wear out their pitching prior to NCAA Regionals."