Orangewomen Set to Open 2002 Season
2/15/2002 8:52:50 AM | Softball
Syracuse went 19-28 last season and 6-10 in their inaugural BIG EAST campaign. The Orangewomen return six starters from last year's club, including 2001 second-team All-BIG EAST centerfielder Christina Holowich (Castro Valley, Calif./Moreau Catholic). Holowich led the team with a .316 batting average, 50 hits, 15 runs scored and 60 total bases. Holowich was also a 2002 preseason All-BIG EAST pick.
The Orangewomen also bring back both starting pitchers from last season. Senior Heather Brown (Farmington, N.M./Farmington) led the staff in victories (10), shutouts (6), complete games (19), innings pitched (172.0) and strikeouts (180). Junior Tara DiMaggio won eight games a year ago and paced the Orangewomen with a 1.51 earned run average.
Today's games also mark the return of three players that missed all or most of last season with injuries. SophomoresRachel Park (Mt. Juliet, Tenn./Friendship Christian) and Cheryl Julicher (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville North) each received medical redshirts last season, but will be back in the lineup this season. Julicher led Syracuse in home runs in 2000 with four. Park was second on the team with a .279 batting average that season. Also returning to the lineup is junior Julie Dunn (Springfield, Ill./Springfield). Dunn missed all but 16 games in 2001 with a fractured kneecap. In those 16 games, Dunn hit .243 with two doubles and two runs batted in.
The Orangewomen are scheduled to play five games at the Seminole Classic. On Saturday, Syracuse will take on Georgia at 12 p.m. and St. John's at 6 p.m. Sunday's slate features a 10 a.m. matchup with Penn State.
Live in-game statistics will be available on-line for all of the Orangewomen's contests at Florida State. To follow the action, click here.
