Softball team boasts experience

VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — For the 2010 softball season, Youngstown State Head Coach Brian Campbell’s squad has two commodities his first team lacked — experience and depth.

The Penguins return 11 letter-winners, 10 starters and seven position players that have appeared in at least 50 games.

Conversely, the team is still relatively young with 10 of the 18 players listed as underclassmen. Only three position players and two pitchers have started on a full-time basis for more than one season.

The addition of seven newcomers gives Campbell more options and create the depth he has desired.

“I think we have a great combination of experience and depth on this year’s team,” Campbell said.

Last season, the infield has one player (first baseman Kim Klonowski) with Division I experience at her position. This season, the Penguins must replace third baseman Allyse Ledford at the hot corner, and the Penguins have six players to fill four spots.

In 2009, Klonowski, a junior team captain and a Second-Team All-Horizon League pick, hit .329 with 10 doubles, eight home runs and 32 runs batted in.

Junior Kristina Rendle returns for her second season at second base. Her middle-infield counterpart at shortstop is sophomore Kristen Philen, who belted two home runs and ripped six doubles.

The biggest battle will be replacing Ledford at third base. Krombach, Vicky Rumph and Rebecca Bonola are all in the mix.

Vying for time behind the dish is a trio of players — Rumph, sophomore Amanda Palmore and senior Kristina Davidson, who may see some time in the outfield.

All three starting outfielders return. Senior Autumn Grove, who played 47 games in left field, and freshman Sarah Gabel are battling for the starting spot in left. Grove posted 35 hits and cranked three home runs in 2009 and was named to the 2007 Horizon League All- Newcomer Team.

Patrolling center field for the second straight season will be sophomore Haley Thomas, who hit .327 with seven doubles, two triples and a home run. Jordan Ingalls will flank Thomas in right field for the second straight season. Ingalls led the team with a .331 batting average.

The Penguins have five arms to go to in circle this season led by senior Cheryl Cale, who picked up seven victories last season.

Cale proved to be a workhorse in the circle, tossing 193 and a third innings, the second most in school history. She completed 23 games.

After redshirting last season due to a knee injury, junior Danielle Chase returns. She has six career victories, 71 career strikeouts and two shutouts.

Senior Erin Schindler has made 23 career appearances and 12 career starts.

Joining them are freshmen Hana Somogyi and Kayla Vallery.