2010 York College Softball Season Preview
The 2010 edition of the York College softball
team enters the campaign with a revitalized attitude. The Spartans,
coming off a 30-win season, return seven starters and their top
starting pitcher as optimism is running high entering the
season.
Spartan head coach Nicki Starry
is very excited about the prospects for a great 2010 campaign.
“This group of kids is highly motivated
and ready to have a great year,” says Starry. “We have
tremendous leadership and a core of experienced players that I
expect will help lead us to great success in 2010.”
Starry needs to look no further than the left
side of the infield to see talent and leadership. Two-year captain
Heather Bormann returns for her fourth year as the
Spartans’ starting shortstop while junior Kelly
Smith begins her third year as York’s starting third
sacker.
Bormann, a two-time All-Capital Athletic
Conference selection, has established herself as one of the best
players in the region. She will hit near the top of the lineup and
use her speed to create havoc for opponents once she gets on base.
Bormann hit .301 with 32 runs scored, 32 RBI, and a team-high 19
stolen bases. She is also a very good defensive shortstop that has
a strong arm and good range.
“Heather is a player that every coach
would love to have,” says Starry. “She is a great
player, a great student, and a great teammate. I am excited to see
what she can accomplish her senior year.”
Smith is also a two-time All-CAC selection as
she was York’s top player last season. Smith hit a robust
.381 with 39 runs scored, a school-record 61 hits, 23 RBI, 11
doubles, five triples, two home runs, and 16 stolen bases. Her .550
slugging percentage led the squad while she owned a stellar .960
fielding percentage. Smith is slated to hit in the heart of the
Spartan lineup, as she should be one of the major run producers for
York this year.
“Kelly is a very talented player that has
been highly productive throughout her career,” states Starry.
“She is such a talented offensive player that I believe her
defensive abilities really get overlooked. Kelly is a player that
makes a significant impact both on offense and defense.”
Slated to join Bormann and Smith on the right
side of the infield are first basemen Kristen Gray
and Michelle Barwick and second basemen
Brittany Schlorff and Megan Van
Meter. Gray was an All-CAC selection as a designated
player last year while she also saw action behind the dish. She
moves out to first base where her height makes her a good target
for fellow infielders. Gray hit .346 with 21 RBI, 12 runs scored,
and seven doubles. She had a team-best .426 on-base percentage as
she coaxed a team-high 15 walks from opposing pitchers. The
coaching staff believes Gray has more power than she has shown from
the left side and is primed for a big junior season.
“Kristen is a strong hitter that will have
the chance to be a significant run producer in our lineup,”
says Starry. “I believe Kristen has the ability to hit for
power and a good average. She has really dedicated herself this
season to being one of our top players.”
Barwick, who played first in addition to seeing
some time in the outfield, provides the Spartans depth at first as
she hit .269 last year with 13 runs scored and 13 RBI. She also had
a fielding percentage of .991 in 216 chances.
Schlorff comes to the Spartan program as a
sophomore and is the front-runner to capture the starting spot at
second base. She is a slick fielding middle infielder with soft
hands and a smooth glove and will combine with Bormann to form a
talented and skilled pivot. At the plate, Schlorff is a hitter with
gap power that should hit for a high average in the Spartan
lineup.
“I expect Brittany to make a significant
impact in her first year,” says Starry. “She is very
good defensively and has demonstrated the ability to be a leader
both on and off the field.”
Van Meter will back up Schlorff at second,
giving York tremendous depth at the position. Van Meter hit .322
with 18 runs scored, 22 RBI, eight doubles, two triples, and two
home runs. She struggled a bit defensively last year with a
team-high 16 miscues but has worked hard to become a more reliable
defensive player.
Freshman Erin O’Leary
will work in at second base and adds a strong bat to the Spartan
lefty slapping offense.
Freshman Cory Urkuski will be
the primary back up for Smith while Schlorff provides depth at
short should Bormann need a break during the year.
Behind the plate, senior Julie
Norris returns to handle the starting catching duties.
Norris hit .306 with 13 runs scored, 13 RBI, four doubles and a
home run. She stole five bases while her .984 field percentage was
one of the best marks on the team. Norris, a tough, hard-nosed
player who has proven to be a leader for the Green and White.
“I really like the way Julie plays. She
gives 100% every time she steps on the field,” states Starry.
“She is a smart catcher that does a good job of handling our
pitchers. Offensively, she can handle the bat and brings a very
intelligent approach to her at-bats.”
Freshmen Sarah Harris and
Rachel Klein provide depth behind Norris. Harris
has a strong arm and does a good job of blocking balls in the dirt.
At the plate, she has a quick bat and will get the chance to get
at-bats as Norris’ understudy. Klein is a player that will be
making the adjustment to the collegiate game. She is a tall,
athletic player that has continued to make improvements during
preseason practice.
Sophomore Brittany Therres
returns in the center of the circle for the Spartans this season.
Therres had a tremendous freshman year posting a record of 14-9
with a dazzling 1.57 ERA. She tossed 156 innings with 20 complete
games in 23 starts. She held opponents to a .232 batting average
while she had 87 strikeouts and just eight walks. She earned
All-CAC honors for her efforts last year.
“Brittany is such a tremendous
competitor,” says Starry. “She is aggressive in the
strike zone and has no fear of challenging hitters. Brittany works
fast and allows our defense to be on their toes behind
her.”
Freshmen Corrine Majczan and
sophomore Megan Matos compose the rest of the
Spartan pitching staff, and they will each have a chance to throw
some innings behind Therres.
“I think both Corrine and Megan will have
a chance to develop behind Brittany and provide us with good depth
in the staff,” says Starry.
The outfield should prove to be an area of
strength for the Spartans. Senior Sam Lawrence
returns for her senior year after missing half of her junior year
due to a series of injuries. She will hold down centerfield and
likely hit in the upper half of the Spartan lineup. Lawrence hit
.278 as she was hampered by her injuries all year. She did manage
to steal 11 bases in 22 games while scoring 17 runs with a pair of
home runs. Lawrence is an outstanding defensive centerfielder and
caps York’s very strong defensive spine.
“Sam has worked very hard to get herself back
and on the field,” says Starry. “She is an important
part of our defense while I expect her to be a key part of our
offense. Sam is a smart base runner with outstanding
speed.”
Freshman Hannah Hugel is slated
to open the season in left field while junior Megan
Markland slides over to right after spending last season
in left. Hugel is a lefty slap hitter that is quick and strong. She
is a very good defensive outfielder that can track the ball down in
the gaps. Hugel will have the chance to hit at or near the top of
the Spartan order. Markland saw most of last season as a defensive
only player, but she has worked hard in the off-season to improve
her offensive approach.
Joining Lawrence, Hugel and Markland in the
outfield are senior Lindsay Wood and junior
Desiree Halaka as the Spartans have very good
depth in the outfield. Halaka actually can play any position with
the exception of pitcher, as she is a highly versatile athlete.
“I like our skill and depth in the
outfield,” says Starry. “It’s nice to have some
versatility and options when it comes to constructing
lineups.”
Starry knows the defense and pitching will be
the key to a successful season.
“We must do a good job of making the
routine plays behind our pitchers. We can’t give away extra
outs and we need to support our pitchers,” believes Starry.
“Our pitchers need to throw strikes, hit their spots and
pitch to our defense’s strength.”
“Offensively, we need to execute and have
consistently good at-bats. We will have a steady approach that will
allow us to succeed. I think we will have the ability to hit for
power but we have to play fundamental softball when the situation
calls for it.”
Starry is very excited about starting her first
season in York.
“I have been impressed with these
players,” states Starry. “They are a dedicated group,
and they expect to have a successful season. I want us to enjoy
each and every step during the season. I believe this team is
capable of great things, and I can’t wait to head down to
Florida and start the season.”
The Spartans open their campaign with a 12-game
trip to Kissimmee, Florida, starting on February 28. The Spartans
then open up their home campaign on March 18 against Juniata
College.
2010 SPARTAN SOFTBALL
ROSTER