One Month To Prepare: Orange Softball Gearings Up For 2008 Season
1/16/2008 12:57:16 PM | Softball
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Preparation for the 2008 softball season has been ongoing for head coach Leigh Ross's squad since the 2007 campaign ended in the BIG EAST Tournament. Now with approximately one month until the team begins the new season, the Orange take to the Carrier Dome for daily practice.
"Everyone has had a great attitude and is working hard," Ross said. "We are taking full advantage of the great setup we have in the Carrier Dome. Since we have things like the batting cages, our players are able to rotate through different stations and get a full practice. (Associate Athletics Director for Facility Operations) Pete Sala has just done an amazing job of giving us the necessary resources to prepare for the upcoming season."
The softball team will practice almost daily until the first pitch arrives at the Getterman Classic hosted by Baylor from Friday, Feb. 15 until Sunday, Feb. 17. Syracuse faces Baylor, Centenary, and Purdue twice during its time in Waco, Texas.
"The season is still a month away, but we are working hard so that we are ready," Ross said. "Our goal is to have our players as prepared as possible for the first pitch and, I think, when you have a facility like the Dome, we are able to do that."
Ross and associate head coach Kyle Jamieson begin their second year at the helm of the SU Softball team. Last season the team made the program's fourth postseason appearance. Eight letterwinners return in 2008, including senior sluggers Chanel Roehner and Rachel Tilford. Roehner, who was named to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Region First Team and the All-BIG EAST First Team, led the team in batting average (.336), slugging percentage (.537) and tied for first in hits (50). Tilford led the team in runs (31), RBIs (41) and home runs (10).
Roehner joins last year's go-to ace, sophomore Brittany Gardner, and freshman Angie Sagnelli in the pitcher's circle. Gardner saw the majority of the time by playing in 34 games, and starting 18. Roehner pitched in 30 games, mostly in relief, and struck out 80 batters. The left-handed Sagnelli enters her first year after helping lead Shenendehowa High School to undefeated seasons her junior and senior year.
Orange fans can catch their first glimpse of the team when the doors of the SU Softball Stadium open up for a doubleheader against Albany on Wednesday, Apr. 2 at 3 p.m.
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Jim Boeheim | Gerry McNamara Welcome Event
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