APPLETON, Wis. — The goal for this season is the same for the Lawrence University softball team, but the Vikings would like the outcome to be dramatically different.
The Vikings enter the 2015 campaign set on returning to the four-team Midwest Conference Tournament for a third consecutive season. Lawrence finished second in the league in 2013 but endured a disappointing two-and-out from the 2014 MWC Tournament to complete an 18-13 campaign.
“I say this every year, but I feel it’s true very year — there’s plenty of parity in the Midwest Conference and we have a great chance to get back to the conference tournament,” Lawrence coach Kim Tatro said.
“We’d like to return and play better. If we are successful, great. If not, at least we played to our abilities.”
Lawrence, which opens its season Friday in Clermont, Fla., returns the North Division’s top player. Shortstop Amanda Jaskolski was the North Division Player of the Year in 2014 and a first-team All-Great Lakes Region selection.
“Jazz just needs to do what she does, and that’s pretty special,” Tatro said. “I don’t think I’ve coached anyone in my time here who has a better glove. She reassures the entire team when she’s on the field because of the confidence she exudes.”
Jaskolski hit .409 last season with eight doubles, one triple, six home runs and 30 runs batted in. Jaskolski also anchored a defense that posted a .964 fielding percentage in 2014, the second-best percentage in school history.
In addition to Jaskolski, the Vikings return junior Anna Wawiorka at third base. An all-conference selection in each of her first two seasons, Wawiorka hit .330 last season with five doubles, three triples, two homers and 12 RBIs. She scored a team-high 27 runs in 31 games. The versatile Wawiorka also figures to see time behind the plate now that all-conference catcher/first baseman Alex Chiodo has graduated.
The Vikings don’t lack for talent behind the dish because sophomore Sam Belletini also returns. Belletini hit .321 as a rookie with a team-best 10 doubles to go with one triple, one homer and 20 RBIs.
Although Chiodo and second baseman Cory Paquette were lost to graduation, the Vikings have several players waiting to step in on right side of the infield. Junior Katie Schumacher will step in at first, and senior Kara Vance, sophomore Marisa Thackston and freshman Kori Looker all have a shot to start at second.
“We look pretty solid,” Tatro said. “We’re a veteran group with almost everyone on the team being a returner. The expectations of what we are trying to accomplish are pretty clear.”
Junior outfielder Savanna Marsicek is back in center after hitting .316 with four doubles, one triple, one homer, 13 RBIs and 19 runs scored last season. Juniors Taylor Dodson, who hit .324 with 10 doubles and drove in 19 runs last season, and Tierney Duffy, who hit .280 last season, also return. Sophomore Rheya Upadhyaya and Looker are also battling for a starting spot.
“Our outfield looks good, they really do,” Tatro said. “Having five people fight for three spots has been kind of fun.”
The Vikings have just 13 players on the roster, but Tatro has many options when filling out the lineup card.
“With a roster of 13, you would think you’re pretty locked in and not very versatile,” Tatro said. “But at any point, any one of our 13 could start in a different spot, and that’s a good problem to have.”
A large part of determining the Vikings’ fate this season rests on the pitching staff of Vance, Liz Barthels and Jessica Demski. Vance posted a team-best 11-6 record last season with a 4.63 earned run average over 90.2 innings. Barthels went 6-6 in 79 innings and had a team-best 3.81 ERA. Demski was solid in 15.1 innings with a 1-1 record and 4.11 ERA.
“All three of them have different strengths, and all three of them have the ability to see the field for us,” It will be one of those situations where if someone isn’t having their best game, we’re not going to hesitate to make a move. It may be that pitching by committee is the best route for us.”