Saginaw Valley State University
Cardinal Softball
2000 Season Outlook

     

The year 2000 finds the SVSU softball team poised and ready to improve on a successful 1999 campaign.
      The Lady Cardinals tallied a 42-17 overall record last season and a 13-6 mark in the GLIAC, tying for fifth place in the conference. The 42 wins was the third highest total in school history.
      A key factor for a successful season in 2000 will be the addition of a number of new players, who will be counted on to contribute right away. This year’s squad will have no seniors so coach Fred Neering will have to rely on his five returning juniors for leadership on the field.
      Kelly Prill is a returning junior pitcher that recorded an ERA under 1.60 in the 1999 season. She will be joined in the rotation by the reigning GLIAC “Freshman of the Year” Carrie Shay. Shay posted a 14-4 mark a year ago with an E.R.A. of 1.62.
      “Our pitchers are young, but have gained valuable experience from being a part of the regular rotation since their first day on campus,” said Neering. “Their attitude is simply ‘give me the ball’.”
“This team has a great attitude, however, they need to remain focused on the game 100 percent of the time,” Neering stated. “Good teams force errors and then take advantage of them. Mental toughness is so critical to success at any level of play and this league will make you aware of that very quickly.”  
-- Fred Neering

    

 Jocelyn Gubancsik, Libby Poellet and Tiffany Martin return to the Lady Cardinal outfield.
      “Our outfield is solid, with Martin in center,” said Neering. “Poellet and Gubancsik will be pushed by newcomer Jennifer Howell. The key to our success is having the outfield make all the catches, not just the routine outs.”
      Martin earned All-GLIAC and All-Great Lakes Region accolades last season while leading SVSU with a .379 batting average. She set a school record with 10 triples last season and finds herself fourth on the Lady Cardinal career triples list with 13.
      Gubancsik and Poellet also swung hot bats, hitting .355 and .310, respectively, and Gubancsik earned honorable mention All-GLIAC honors.

     

The departure of All-GLIAC third baseman Sheila Metro was the biggest loss for the Cardinals, but Neering is confident the unit will be one of the team’s strengths.

    

Sophomores Whitney Babcock (1B) and Becky Bourcier (2B) will anchor the right side of the infield with newcomers April Vega, Beth Paveglio and Loni Mrozek sharing time on the left side.
      “We have quality athletes at these key (infield) positions,” said Neering. “Now we have to meet the challenge.”
      Sophomore Brandi Srda, who led the team in RBI last season with 36, will be a vital cog in the Cardinal defense this spring. She will see plenty of time at shortstop and at catcher for SVSU.
      Babcock, who led the squad with a .985 fielding percentage in 1999, will be a solid fixture at first base.
      Vega comes to SVSU after playing one season at Delta College where she earned All-America honors.
      A pair of freshmen, Kelly Martin and Diana Balbough, will likely handle the bulk of the catching duties.  

    

“This team has a great attitude, however, they need to remain focused on the game 100 percent of the time,” Neering stated. “Good teams force errors and then take advantage of them. Mental toughness is so critical to success at any level of play and this league will make you aware of that very quickly.”