Softball Back in the Swing
9/11/2009 8:28:27 AM | Softball
Day Two Photo Gallery | Day Four Photo Gallery
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - With the first week of fall practice winding down, the Orange continued to prepare for its upcoming fall schedule with hitting and situational drills on days two and four.
Day two began with an hour of hitting drills designed to help improve bat speed and power. The Orange rotated through hitting stations which ranged from hitting off tees and hitting off the pitching machine to swinging a sledge hammer and hitting tires.
Syracuse was one of the best BIG EAST teams at the plate in 2009, ranking fourth in batting average (.287), slugging percentage (.427), on base percentage (.366), hits (395) and RBI (210) while ranking fifth with 230 runs scored. The Orange was also a conference leader in extra-base hits, ranking second with 14 triples and fifth in doubles (56) and homeruns (36).
All returning SU hitters with 99 or more plate appearances last season boast batting averages above .250, with sophomore Stephanie Watts and junior Hallie Gibbs leading the way at .318 and .301, respectively. Watts led the team with 18 extra-base hits while Gibbs knocked in a team-best 35 runs.
Day four wrapped up with infield-outfield work and situational drills, as the Orange infielders and pitchers practiced fielding bunts and squeeze bunts, while the outfielders worked on cutoff throws.
Syracuse was also one of the most accurate defensive teams in the BIG EAST last season, ranking third in conference with a .966 fielding percentage, while ranking 11th out of 12 conference teams in errors (55). Sophomore Kelly Saco is the leading returner in the field for the Orange, with a .983 fielding percentage while Watts ranks second at .970 with 112 putouts and 113 assists.
SU continues practicing throughout the fall in preparation for its soon-to-be-finalized fall schedule. Check back to SUAthletics.com for updates.
