Lady Wolves Look to Turn Things Around in 2007

WOU softball team has new look and will play more games early in 2007.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

MONMOUTH - Fielding a young team with only one senior, the 2007 pre-season storyline for Western Oregon softball coach Pam Knox sounds a lot like the 2006 yearly preview.

But the inside chapters have a different twist this year, as the Wolves chase after a winning campaign with a handful of returnees and plenty of newcomers on the roster.

WOU had only two seniors in 2006, but one of them was one of the most productive players in school history -- catcher Lydia Foster.

Therein lies Knox’s first major challenge, trying to replace a .424 hitter who blasted a school-record nine home runs and drove in 35 runs last year.

Knox will fill the position with her only 2007 senior—Shannon Prochaska, who started at second base last spring, but will move behind the plate this year.

“You don't replace Lydia, she is the best catcher I have ever coached,” Knox exclaimed. “However, Shannon is experienced at catcher and is very solid behind the plate. She leads by her work ethic and her competitiveness. She will be the field general. Most of all, I want her to enjoy her last year as a collegiate player.”

Prochaska hit .299 last year, second on the team behind Foster.

She also listed second on the club in runs scored (32) and doubles (7), and she led the Wolves in stolen bases with 15.

The Wolves return five other players that started in 2006, but they will also rely on a host of players new to the program.

To help that group jell earlier, WOU is scheduled to play 14 games in the month of February.

Last year, they played just four in the first month of the season.

The Wolves will open its campaign on Feb. 10th-11th in Arcata, Calif., playing Humboldt State and Notre Dame de Namur twice.

Playing Humboldt State is nothing new, but that’s another 2007 storyline—the longtime GNAC power is now a part of the California Collegiate Athletic Association, leaving the top rung of the GNAC wide open.

“Seattle went to the regional tournament last year, so I guess that they would have to be the favorite, but all of us have a shot at it,” Knox said. “Central Washington has a great pitcher and Western Washington is very solid. We look to be in the middle of pack, fighting for a regional playoff berth.”

Knox’s newcomer list is one reason why she is optimistic this spring.

“Our recruiting class is the best I have had at WOU,” said the fifth-year leader. “We have added depth in position play and strengthened our pitching staff. I feel that we are much stronger this year in the middle of the infield, and our outfield is solid.”

Knox signed a pair of outstanding pitchers as well, although both will be on the shelf to start the year.

NWAAC Pitcher of the Year Katie Fleer, a 6-3 thrower from Chemeketa CC, will likely apply for a medical redshirt this season, and freshman Ashley Sellers (Auburn, Wash.) will probably not be available until April.

Brianne Dieringer (Fr., Battle Ground, Wash./LaSalle HS) will get mound time as a reliever, while veteran Christina Cooke (Jr., Tualatin), who was WOU’s No. 1 hurler last season and was the state’s pitcher of the year as a high school senior in 2004, will get starts again.

Ditto for Britni Mink (So., Salem/McKay HS), who saw time in 2006 on the pitching mound and at first base. Mink drove in 25 runs last season and had a 6-10 record on the mound.

Other rookies will certainly see playing time. Freshmen Whitney Lee (North Salem HS) and Melissa Wilson (Las Vegas, Nev./Palo Verde HS) join returning outfielders Shanley Young (Jr., Fairbanks, Alaska/West Valley HS) and junior Sara Tucholsky (Forest Grove).

Pendleton freshman Jessica Merriman may also vie for playing time in the outfield. Henderson, Nev. native Bonnie Trigero (Fr., Green Valley HS) could get the nod at first base, while back-up catcher Krysta Pennington (Fr., Kent, Wash./Kentwood HS) may serve as the designated player because of her bat.

Miranda Little (Fr., Florence/Siuslaw HS) could also see time behind the plate.

The middle of the infield is stocked, with Lindsey Dahl (Fr., Westview HS), Tyler Sutherland (Fr.-RS, Gold Hill/Crater HS) and Amanda Fleer (Fr., Salem/McKay HS) battling for playing time at shortstop and second base.

Trina Dorn, who was an honorable mention All-GNAC selection last year, returns for her third season as the starting third baseman.

Jamie Becker (Jr., West Salem/Chemeketa CC) is a transfer that will serve as a utility player, playing any of the infield positions, while Northwood (Florida) transfer Kristen Maglasang (So., Vancouver, Wash./Heritage HS) could also be in the middle infield mix.

The Wolves should have 20 games or more under their belts before they begin conference play on March 10th at Saint Martin’s. Tournament play accounts for the majority of their schedule, with multi-game action slated in Arcata, Phoenix, Ariz., Canby, Richland, Wash., and Turlock, Calif.

Pitching depth is a must in those situations.

“We are deeper all around than we have been for awhile, which will be a big plus for us,” Knox confirmed. “We can play this kind of schedule because of our depth. We have all the pieces, how fast we can put them together will be the key for us.”

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