Feb. 22, 2006
Sometimes, the best remedy is a fresh start.
True, the Siena softball team set a program record with 22 wins in 2005, but a 7-9 MAAC mark was good enough for only sixth place. The Saints failed to make the conference championships with a senior-laden roster.
"Last year was disappointing, because we didn't achieve what we set out to," head coach Peejay Brun, now in her fourth season said. "We had a lot of players enjoy great individual success, but this is a team game. If we want to be champions, we will need to rededicate ourselves as a group and move forward."
The Saints must replace three of the most prolific offensive players in school history in Sarah Rose, Carrie Getz and AC St. Cin. Their graduation has opened the door for some returning players who have shown promise as well as a decorated incoming freshman class.
Adding optimism is the return of senior pitcher Tara Campbell. Campbell is among the top arms in the league when on top of her game. She will look to produce at a more consistent level this year after posting an 8-12 record in 27 appearances as a junior.
"We will go as far as Tara takes us," Brun said. "She could be the best pitcher in the league, and we all have a lot of confidence in her. For us to be successful, she will have to perform at her best all season."
While Brun remains focused on the present, she hasn't lost sight of the long term goals that brought her to Loudonville in the first place.
"We are building a program here, and everyone is on the same page in terms of expectations," Brun said. "We want to win championships and do it the right way. Everyone has worked extremely hard in the off-season and we are extremely excited about the future of Siena softball."
PITCHING
Tara Campbell has won 23 games in her first three years with the Saints and will again anchor the front end of Siena's MAAC rotation. As a junior she led the team with 130 innings pitched, 114 strikeouts and a 2.75 ERA. She ended the season with an 8-12 record which included two one-hitters. Campbell has been working with first-year pitching coach Jeffrey Ellis on adding some new pitches and improving her old arsenal. Campbell also racked up a .278 batting average in her 18 plate appearances in 2005 and is expected to see even more action at the plate this season.
After her second major surgery in two years, junior Janelle Iaquinto's role this season is, at this point. questionable. While only starting three games as a sophomore, Iaquinto was third on the team in ERA and fourth in strikeouts and innings pitched. Coach Brun will give her some time to recover early in the season, but it is possible she will be red-shirted later on.
The Saints lost St. Cin and Tisha Salamino to graduation in 2005, meaning freshmen Jamie Piela and Renee Clavette will likely battle for the second spot in the rotation.
The younger sister of sophomore teammate Andrea Piela, Piela is expected to make an immediate impact and have the edge as camp breaks. She had a great high school career and was one of Brun's most sought after incoming recruits.
Clavette, a diminutive, yet powerful southpaw, will see innings as well. She could also get some time in the outfield as her offense will be an asset to the everyday lineup. Both Piela and Clavette will bat for themselves, giving the Saints a multi-dimensional rotation and allowing Brun to work even more offense into the everyday lineup.
CATCHING
With the loss of Colleen Price to graduation, Andrea Piela has stepped up as the only returning catcher this season. Piela sprained her knee in the fall, but has been gaining her strength back while mentoring the newcomers. Earlier this spring, Piela also proved herself as a worthy shortstop and will gain playing time at both positions.
Freshman Jenny McNulty comes to Siena from one of the best softball programs in New York State. As the only healthy catcher this fall, McNulty proved herself worthy of some meaningful game time this spring. She is likely to catch for Campbell and get some time in the outfield. She will also step in as the lead-off hitter in the rotation.
Another freshman, Easton Henrikson, dislocated her shoulder in her senior year of high school and missed the entire fall season. Henrikson has been working hard on getting her strength back and should also get some time at first base as well as she becomes acclimated to the Division I game. She is another bat that will be difficult to keep out of the lineup.
INFIELD
Despite the loss of several major contributors in the infield to graduation, Brun is encouraged with the newcomers the staff has brought in to fill the void as each has showed promise in preseason works. Of the veterans returning, senior Alyson DeMarino and sophomore Jennifer Granato will be competing for time.
Granato is coming off a sensational freshman year at the plate where she batted .300 in 120 at bats. She will be the likely starter at third base after seeing action all over the infield as a freshman. DeMarine started 22 games and posted a .338 on-base percentage. She made just one error in the field and can be seen at both corners this year.
Junior Kelly Boyle was the starting shortstop last season, and after battling some injuries earlier this year, she should be in good health and ready to step in and once again to start this season. Boyle is a sparkplug in the field and at the plate. She batted .276 as a junior and posted a .925 fielding percentage, while making several highlight reel plays at short.
Classmate Caitlin Fairclough represents the heart of Siena Softball according to Brun. While only seeing limited playing time as a walk-on last season, Fairclough has improved greatly and has a positive attitude that is infectious.
Sophomore Stacey Landini has been moved to a full-time first baseman after seeing some spot duty in the circle as a freshman. Landini flashed signs of her potential in a limited role last season and her height and bat will help earn her more shots at the plate this year.
Freshmen Katie Gorman and Rachelle Morales are highly regarded newcomers who could make an impact immediately. Morales will compete for a starting spot in the middle of the infield. She has quick hands and a knack for getting on base; both assets will come in handy this spring. Gorman was the only walk-on to make the team this year, and should see some time at first and third base.
OUTFIELD
Junior Jennifer Griner anchors a veteran outfield with an intriguing blend of speed and power at the plate.
Griner is an all-around talent who emerged as one of the team's most reliable offensive players in her first two years with the program. As a sophomore, she batted .373 with 21 RBI and 29 runs. She has been the everyday centerfielder since her arrival, and will be asked to fill that role again this spring.
Griner is bookmarked by seniors Christa Fasano and Jamie Walker.
Fasano is a four-year starter in right field with a strong throwing arm and a consistent glove. She started over half of Siena's 49 games a year ago, showing promise and poise at the plate and in the field. This year, Brun will look to her for added leadership and increased offensive production.
Walker is a crafty, ever-improving talent who adds experience to the outfield and is always a threat on the bases. She started 25 of the 40 games she appeared in as a junior batting .273 and reaching base in 32% of her plate appearances. Walker is a polished slapper who will be asked to reach base even more often this spring.
Rounding out the outfield is newcomer Jessica Billow. Billow has great speed, which will help her cover ground in the field and terrorize the opposition on the bases.
SCHEDULE
The Saints embark on an ambitious 33-date schedule February 24 in Tampa, Fla. in the South Florida Tournament. Siena joins host USF, Kent State and Indiana in the three-day event.
If the weather cooperates, Siena will return to action the following weekend in the Fordham Tournament in the Bronx. The team will take full advantage of spring break, participating in both the Union State Bank Samford Invitational in Birmingham, Ala. and the Mercer Nissan Spring Fling in Macon, Ga. Those Invitationals surround midweek games at Charlotte and at Western Carolina.
"We have put together a very challenging schedule at the start of the season that will help refocus our returning players and show our newcomers what college softball is all about," Brun said. "We will be playing some great programs and traveling around the East Coast. It should be a tremendous opportunity to learn a lot about our program."
The home season is scheduled to begin March 29 against crosstown rival UAlbany. The Saints begin MAAC play at Canisius on April 1.
The remaining non-conference schedule consists of home games against Cornell (4/2), Holy Cross (4/13), Bucknell (4/20), Sacred Heart (5/2) and Colgate (5/3) as well as road games with Vermont (4/4), Binghamton (4/18) and Quinnipiac (4/25).
"The MAAC is a great conference, and we look forward to the challenges each game provides," Brun said. "Having been picked tied for sixth in the preseason poll, we will be out to prove we are can compete among the elite teams in the league."
