Softball Lancers Need Togetherness
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
WINONA LAKE - Teamwork will be the key to the Lady Lancer softball team's success in 1997, according to coaches Stephen Liebsch and Candace Moats. With seven new freshmen and just six returning players from last year's squad, Grace College must work together to find a winning mixture.
"We really don't have one dominant player who will win it all for us," Liebsch said. "What we do have is a great combination of good players who want to excel and work hard. Everyone will play a vital role on this team."
Offensively, the Lady Lancers will be led by the big bats of senior Trish Dament and juniors Liz and Lauralea Thomas. Last year, Dament sat out with a knee injury, but in 1995, she provided a powerful offensive threat. Liz Thomas batted .358 last season and led the team in extra-base hits (11) and home runs (2). Laura Thomas added a .304 average with 12 RBIs.
The team will also rely on senior Kara Tripp, who batted .338 last year. She led the team with a .512 on-base percentage and 12 stolen bases. Tripp also earned 13 walks, and was third in hits with 23.
Adding to the Lady Lancers offensive punch is a pair of freshmen. Three-sport athlete Eve Arthur and Shannon Haskins will be asked to contribute to the cause.
Another bright spot for Coach Liebsch is his pitching staff. Senior Susie Rector is one of the most respected pitchers in the Mid-Central Conference. Last year, she led the MCC in strikeouts with 71. Her 2.99 ERA was also among the best in the conference. Jori Janigian and Melissa Allen, two freshmen, will split the remainder of the pitching duties.
"Susie is our strongest and most consistent pitcher," Liebsch said. "She has a few more pitches in her repertoire. But, Melissa and Jori are not far behind. We have a very solid pitching staff."
Completing the battery are the Lady Lancers' two catchers. Lauralea Thomas returns as the starting catcher. She will be backed up by Haskins, who comes to Grace as one of the top high school catchers in the state of Illinois. Both will see extended time behind the plate.
In the infield, freshmen Tami Romagnoli and Christa Langerud will battle for the starting spot at first base. Romagnoli has a powerful bat and will also see time in the outfield.
Sophomore Sheila Horst returns as the Lady Lancers second baseman. Last year, Horst hit .258 and was named to the NCCAA District All-Tournament team. Dament will return after the year off to solidify the shortstop position. Arthur will also play at short.
Liz Thomas will start at third base, as she posted a 92 percent fielding percentage last season. Haskins will back her up.
Tripp anchors the Lady Lancer outfield as she patrols centerfield. Last year, she held a 94 percent fielding percentage and threw out three runners.
Sophomore Rebecca Brosey will start in rightfield. Last year, she hit .403, good for ninth in the conference. Brosey is a dependable fielder and should be a steady contributor offensively.
In leftfield will be Arthur. Also seeing time in the outfield will be Kelly Midbrandt, Romagnoli, and Laura Thomas.
The Lady Lancers and co-coaches Liebsch and Moats will see where they match up in the MCC. Last year, Bethel was first, followed by Marian and St. Francis. Grace has already knocked off Huntington this season, with a 5-4 victory.
"The key about this team is that we really work and play as a team," Liebsch said. "This team has the potential to go as far as they want to go. I believe they could excel to anything they want. If we play our game, we won't be beaten."
Grace will take this positive outlook to Indianapolis this weekend for the Indy Classic and then host Bethel on Tuesday at 1 p.m. [[In-content Ad]]
WINONA LAKE - Teamwork will be the key to the Lady Lancer softball team's success in 1997, according to coaches Stephen Liebsch and Candace Moats. With seven new freshmen and just six returning players from last year's squad, Grace College must work together to find a winning mixture.
"We really don't have one dominant player who will win it all for us," Liebsch said. "What we do have is a great combination of good players who want to excel and work hard. Everyone will play a vital role on this team."
Offensively, the Lady Lancers will be led by the big bats of senior Trish Dament and juniors Liz and Lauralea Thomas. Last year, Dament sat out with a knee injury, but in 1995, she provided a powerful offensive threat. Liz Thomas batted .358 last season and led the team in extra-base hits (11) and home runs (2). Laura Thomas added a .304 average with 12 RBIs.
The team will also rely on senior Kara Tripp, who batted .338 last year. She led the team with a .512 on-base percentage and 12 stolen bases. Tripp also earned 13 walks, and was third in hits with 23.
Adding to the Lady Lancers offensive punch is a pair of freshmen. Three-sport athlete Eve Arthur and Shannon Haskins will be asked to contribute to the cause.
Another bright spot for Coach Liebsch is his pitching staff. Senior Susie Rector is one of the most respected pitchers in the Mid-Central Conference. Last year, she led the MCC in strikeouts with 71. Her 2.99 ERA was also among the best in the conference. Jori Janigian and Melissa Allen, two freshmen, will split the remainder of the pitching duties.
"Susie is our strongest and most consistent pitcher," Liebsch said. "She has a few more pitches in her repertoire. But, Melissa and Jori are not far behind. We have a very solid pitching staff."
Completing the battery are the Lady Lancers' two catchers. Lauralea Thomas returns as the starting catcher. She will be backed up by Haskins, who comes to Grace as one of the top high school catchers in the state of Illinois. Both will see extended time behind the plate.
In the infield, freshmen Tami Romagnoli and Christa Langerud will battle for the starting spot at first base. Romagnoli has a powerful bat and will also see time in the outfield.
Sophomore Sheila Horst returns as the Lady Lancers second baseman. Last year, Horst hit .258 and was named to the NCCAA District All-Tournament team. Dament will return after the year off to solidify the shortstop position. Arthur will also play at short.
Liz Thomas will start at third base, as she posted a 92 percent fielding percentage last season. Haskins will back her up.
Tripp anchors the Lady Lancer outfield as she patrols centerfield. Last year, she held a 94 percent fielding percentage and threw out three runners.
Sophomore Rebecca Brosey will start in rightfield. Last year, she hit .403, good for ninth in the conference. Brosey is a dependable fielder and should be a steady contributor offensively.
In leftfield will be Arthur. Also seeing time in the outfield will be Kelly Midbrandt, Romagnoli, and Laura Thomas.
The Lady Lancers and co-coaches Liebsch and Moats will see where they match up in the MCC. Last year, Bethel was first, followed by Marian and St. Francis. Grace has already knocked off Huntington this season, with a 5-4 victory.
"The key about this team is that we really work and play as a team," Liebsch said. "This team has the potential to go as far as they want to go. I believe they could excel to anything they want. If we play our game, we won't be beaten."
Grace will take this positive outlook to Indianapolis this weekend for the Indy Classic and then host Bethel on Tuesday at 1 p.m. [[In-content Ad]]