Lindsay Wasek returns to second base and had a career-best 37 hits, including four home runs, last year
2008 Softball Preview Part II: Around The Infield
2/8/2008 12:08:48 PM | Softball
The Syracuse infield will look a little different this year with only juniors Nicole Miller, Lindsay Wasek and Amy Kelley remaining from last season. Miller takes over as the first baseman, while Wasek stays at second base and Kelley is behind the plate. Junior Jamie Kelling will play shortstop, while the freshman, Hallie Gibbs, takes over at third.
“Nicole has most of her experience at shortstop, but when we brought Jamie in we worked both of them at that position,” Ross said. “We thought that since Nicole is such a good athlete we were able to put her at first base. She has a great arm and really helps during bunt situations and has a good idea of what is going on in the field.”
Wasek will contribute at second base, and will also relieve Kelley at the catcher position. Wasek is approaching her 100th career start (80) and is a threat in the batter’s box, where she posted 37 hits last year.
“Wasek started every game last year, so we just feel she has great confidence and experience,” Ross said. “She really started to hit the ball well and we expect her to carry that over this season. She hit in the eighth spot last season and we tried her at leadoff during fall ball and she did exceptionally well. I like a leadoff hitter who can hit for average and hit for power.”
Kelley will catch for all three pitchers and is the only true catcher on the roster. She started 40 games in 2007 and will try and improve on her 32 hits, 29 RBIs and two homeruns from a year ago.
“Amy is an experienced ball player,” Ross said. “She should bring more power to our offense. We rely on her a lot defensively, but we want her to pick it up on the offensive side, as well. We would love to see her in the fifth spot hitting home runs. Defensively, she is starting to learn little ways to make the pitchers better. She has a good presence and knows when to give the pitchers confidence and when to give them a kick in the butt.”
Kelling, who was a medical redshirt last year before transferring to Syracuse, will take over at shortstop. Her speed makes her a threat both offensively and defensively.
“I like Jamie’s maturity and I like that she has that extra year,” Ross said. “We couldn’t even imagine what she was going to bring, but she brings the right attitude and says the right things. She is this spark and when you put her on the field things wake up. Defensively, she has great range and moves so quickly out there. Offensively, she just makes things happen and she is a smart runner. You can be very aggressive with her and she knows what to do.”
Adding numbers at the plate and playing third base is Gibbs.
“Hallie is that third baseman that we needed,” Ross said. “She has great instinct, defensively, but she is going to help us more offensively and that’s what we are looking for her to do. She should bat in the three, four or five spot and she can change the game with just one swing.”
Freshman Tawni Irvine will compete for time at first and several other positions. She garners defensive awards from her high school career.
“Tawni is just a great kid to have on the team,” Ross said. “She brings such a positive, upbeat attitude to everyone. She works hard and enjoys being on the field.”
SU begins the season when it travels to the Getterman Classic hosted by Baylor on Friday, Feb. 15 through Sunday, Feb. 17.
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Stanchion to Stanchion | Kiyan Anthony
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Adrian Autry postgame vs. Pittsburgh
Sunday, March 08
