The Lawrence University softball team has yet to feel the warm sunshine on their faces, but coach Kim Tatro has seen enough to know her Vikings will be better this season.
“We’re definitely an improved squad. We can say that with complete confidence,” said Tatro, who enters her 20th season at Lawrence.
“It’s kind of a perfect storm of a good combination of returning talent supplemented with new talent. I always have to be cautiously optimistic, but I sure like where we are right now with as much as we can tell being in the gym.”
Lawrence finally gets outside when the Vikings begin play Friday at the National Training Center in Clermont, Fla. The Vikings are scheduled to play 12 games over eight days before returning home.
Lawrence, which went 9-22 last season, will rely on its mix of proven returning players and a host of stellar rookies. The Vikings have 20 players on the roster, making this the biggest squad Tatro has ever had.
“It’s nice to have a variety of potential lineups based on our roster size,” Tatro said. “That gives us some variables we haven’t had in the past.”
One thing that hasn’t changed from a season ago is the Vikings’ reliance on pitcher Shannon Murray. An All-Midwest Conference and All-Great Lakes Region selection last season, Murray will throw the bulk of the innings for the Vikings.
“Shannon looks terrific,” Tatro said. “Good leadership, quality performance, works as hard as anyone on the team. She’s a complete package.”
Murray went 8-14 a season ago with a 3.70 earned run average. She struck out 107 and walked only 19 last season in 143.2 innings. Murray also led the team with a .344 batting average and drove in a team-high 21 runs. She also led the team with nine doubles and two triples and she hit a pair of homers.
“We definitely need Shannon’s bat in the lineup,” Tatro said. “Whether it’s the DP (designated player) or at first base.”
The Vikings have more pitching options this season to support Murray. Sophomores Kara Vance and Liz Barthels are back, and the Vikings also have freshmen Katie Schumacher and Jessica Demski.
“I think they all have different strengths,” Tatro said of her pitching staff. “It’s nice to have options. We won’t know the answers until we play.”
The Vikings also have options behind the plate. After missing last season due to injury, senior Gaelen Lombard-Knapp is back. She was the starter behind the plate in 2011 when she hit .241 and drove in 13 runs. Junior Alex Chiodo started the bulk of the games behind the plate last season.
“Gaelen has done a nice job orchestrating the defense and calling things,” Tatro said. “The other person it’s nice to have back there is Alex Chiodo.”
The rest of the infield also has strong returning players. Junior Cory Paquette is back at second base after hitting .268 a season ago. Junior Alissa Geipel, who has started at third and in the outfield, has made a “really good” transition to shortstop, according to Tatro.
Murray, Schumacher and Chiodo could all see action at first depending on who is pitching. Freshman Anna Wawiorka looks to be manning the hot corner at third but could also fill in at catcher.
The outfield is anchored by senior Cathy Kaye, an all-conference and all-region selection during her career. Kaye hit .270 last season with seven doubles, a triple, a team-high four homers and 19 runs batted in. She also swiped 13 bases and was only caught once.
Kaye will be coupled with rookies Tierney Duffy and Savanna Marsicek in the outfield. The Vikings also have great depth in the outfield with returning players Mary Diduch and Brielle Bartes in the mix.
“The quickness, the arm strength of the two freshman (Duffy and Marsicek) and their abilities at the plate are outstanding,” Tatro said. “You couple those two with Anna and they could be the three fastest kids on the team.”
Tatro also is looking for a spot for freshman Taylor Dodson, who “right now she could be one of our most consistent hitters.”
“You don’t want to get so excited that you look past the fact that you have inexperience in the lineup, but when see their ability and what they do in practice day in and day out, you have to think that will transfer onto the field,” Tatro said. “I know we’re going to have some growing pains from time to time, but I like where we’re at right now.”
Tough trip
The Vikings will face some challenges when they begin play in Florida. Lawrence faces a host of teams that had success last season. Lawrence’s opponents in the Sunshine State averaged 20.5 wins last season and two of them had more than 30 victories.
Editor’s Note: Inside LU Athletics is a notes package written by Lawrence University Director of Athletic Media Relations Joe Vanden Acker. It will feature teams and individual players, recap weekly awards or highlights and take a look at what’s ahead for the Vikings.