Chanel Roehner led the team with a .336 batting average and had a team-high tying 50 hits
2008 Softball Preview Part III: Orange In The Outfield
2/11/2008 9:44:18 AM | Softball
Seniors Chanel Roehner and Rachel Tilford are mainstays in the outfield. Roehner, who led the team with a .336 batting average, patrols centerfield, while Tilford, last year’s homerun leader with 10, covers right field.
“Chanel did it all for us last year – she was our most valuable player,” said head coach Leigh Ross. “She was in the outfield or on the mound every game and led the team in batting average. She is our go-to person and I think she is going to have a fantastic year because this is it for her. She is the only senior who has been here for four years. She is very competitive and is able to set an example to get it done and everyone else will follow.”
“Rachel has an amazing arm and if there was going to be a play at the plate, I would want the ball going to Rachel because I know she would throw a bullet,” Jamieson said. “Offensively, her job is to provide us with the power numbers.”
There is a battle for the leftfield spot between sophomore Ev Anderson and freshman Rachel Helman. Anderson will try to match or improve her .300 batting average from a year ago, while Helman brings range to the outfield position.
“Ev hit .300 last year as a freshman and we want to see her stay at that number or go up,” Jamieson said. “She’s a spark plug and has the ability to make things happen when we are facing a tough pitcher.”
“Rachel has speed, a strong arm and is a natural outfielder,” Ross said. “She has a good jump on the ball. We’re really excited with the speed she has on the base path – she’s going to steal a lot of bases. At the plate, she is a slapper, but she has a power in her slap. She might hit a dribbler through the infield one time up and then the next hit one over the centerfielder’s head. Knowing that we have Rachel for four years is a very good thing.”
DESIGNATED HITTER
“There are three or four players in the same boat,” Jamieson said. “Whoever is going to get it done offensively is going to fill the position of designated hitter.”
Anderson and Helman could see time if one or the other is in leftfield. Rosen also should contribute with her bat.
“The key to Jorden’s success is her power and we want her to do well in that area,” Ross said. “We want her to focus on hitting and think about the position of DH first. She is such a strong, powerful player.”
Mankowski will provide support as a role player and will gain valuable experience at different positions throughout the year.
“This is a growing year for Kate,” Ross said. “This is a year where she is going to get experience so she can make an impact for us down the line.”
The season is less than a week away with the first pitch of the Orange season being thrown out on Friday, Feb. 15 when the team plays Centenary at 11 a.m. at the Getterman Classic hosted by Baylor.
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