Softball picked to win CAA bronze
Early conference battles highlight Dukes schedule
By John Galle, sports editor
Posted on February 15, 2007

After missing the Colonial Athletic Association tournament by just one game last season, the JMU softball team is ready to return to postseason play after returning all but one starter, adding fresh talent and being picked to finish third in the preseason polls.

“The polls aren’t a motivating factor,” JMU coach Katie Flynn said. “The polls aren’t always accurate; I pretty much ignore what they say. [But] not making the tournament [last year] is a motivating factor for us.”

JMU finished the 2006 season sixth in the CAA with a record of 9-12, 24-28 overall. However, despite that, JMU was the only other team besides first-place-pick Hofstra to receive first-place votes (two) from this year’s preseason coaches’ poll.

“Last year, I’m not sure why we struggled,” senior captain and shortstop Katie George said. “It was more like a fluke thing last year, because we usually do make it to the tournament. So, [being picked to finish third in the CAA] helps us with our confidence and it’s good to have them recognize that we are a good team.”

This year, the Dukes will get the chance to prove themselves as a better team early, as they draw the No. 1 and No. 2 preseason picks in Hofstra (six first-place votes) and Georgia State for their first two conference series at the end of March.

“We have to go out and prove ourselves right away,” sophomore right-handed pitcher Meredith Felts said.

And it won’t be easy.

Hofstra has dominated the diamonds of the CAA, winning five consecutive conference championships. The Pride returns a roster with three first team all-conference performers, including senior Ashley Lane (.383, 13 HR, 67 H, league-leading 63 RBI), the 2006 CAA Player of the Year. Also highlighting the Pride’s roster are senior pitcher Courtney Oliver (2.27 ERA, 14-7, .260, 40 H), sophomore pitcher Kayleigh Lotti (2.35 ERA, 18-10) and junior outfielder Pam Dreslinski (.293, 48 H).

Georgia State is no pushover either, as the team is the reigning CAA regular season champion. With 2006 CAA Coach of the Year Bob Heck at the helm, the Panthers finished last season 15-6 in conference, falling to Hofstra in the tournament championship 7-3 last spring. On top of that, Georgia State returns sophomore catcher Jackie Jaegle (.344, 52 H), the 2006 CAA Rookie of the Year. 
Under Flynn, JMU has never been afraid to start freshmen. Last year, five freshman players started for the Dukes and were thrown into the fire of the conference. Now, those five make up a talented core of sophomore talent, and they have enough experience to be leaders in 2007.

Outfielder Kaitlyn Wernsing, catcher Julia Dominguez and third baseman Amber Kirk all led the Dukes offensively in batting average as freshmen. Pitchers Meredith Felts and Jenny Clohan also started for the Dukes in their first year.

“We hope the sophomores have the same kind of season [they had last year],” Flynn said. “But then also other people will have to step up.”

Falling into the fourth slot, just one point behind JMU in the voting, is conference foe UNC-Wilmington. Towson, Delaware, George Mason and Drexel are predicted to finish in the bottom half of the conference, in that order.

According to Flynn, George will be their staple, anchoring an infield that will showcase three upperclassmen — something the Dukes did not have last season. Combine fresh talent with experienced leadership and you have the new, more balanced JMU softball squad who are anticipating a big turnaround year.

“I’d like to make it to the tournament and win [a CAA title] this year,” George said. “It would be a nice way to end the season.”

To do that, George and her teammates will have to keep up their successes of 2006, while targeting their failures — most of which were on defense.

Said George: “We all worked hard in the off-season. So, I’m not too worried about it.”