Feb. 29, 2008

EASTON, Pa. - The expectations are mounting for the 2008 season as head coach Jeanine Gunther hopes to keep a young but experienced group to Patriot League title contention. Eleven members of last season's 21-25 squad return, including six with starting experience. Goals have been set higher this season coming off the Leopards' second-consecutive Patriot League Tournament appearance in 2007. The softball season starts this Sunday with a doubleheader at Penn on Warren Field at 1 p.m.

"Our goal at this point is to win the Patriot League championship," Gunther said. "We have made the tournament the past two years and that is something that should happen and is expected to happen every season."

Gunther feels that the 2008 lineup will be the strongest offensively since her arrival in Easton and has the ability to produce the runs necessary to support a youthful, yet experienced pitching staff. The improvements made over recent seasons, combined with the talent of five freshmen, will help to improve the team's offense.

"I think we should certainly be capable of that this year," Gunther said. "The combination of speed and power in our lineup should come together and produce well at the plate."

Pitching/Catching Gunther and her coaching staff will look to a youthful, but experienced group to lead the Leopards at the mound and behind the plate in 2008. Sophomores Kasey Karr and Aimee Dassner gained a lot of experience in their first season on College Hill and the three incoming freshmen arrive with the quality of experience that may get them into the lineup immediately.

Megan Averbuch and Karr split time in the circle for the Leopards last season. Averbuch finished her final season on College Hill with a 7-11 record in 21 starts. In her freshman campaign, Karr finished with a 12-12 record and received All-Patriot League Second-Team honors. Karr will be one of two main starters in 2008.

"Despite her age, Kasey will be the leader of our pitching staff. Not only as a result of what she did for us last year, but because she is a natural leader on and off the field," Gunther said.

Karr was also consistent at the plate and will probably hit in the fifth spot this year. With the potential of being a .300 hitter, she will be in the designated player position when she is not in the circle.

Freshman Ali Henry will pair with Karr as the second main starter for Lafayette. Henry led the Central Bucks South team of Warrington, Pa. to consecutive Suburban One League titles in 2005 and 2006. She throws for the Tuff-N-Tuffer Gold travel team. When she is not in the circle, Henry has the potential to see time as the designated player.

"Ali probably throws the hardest of anyone on the roster," Gunther said. "She did a very nice job for us in the fall and we are really looking for big things from her."

Dassner will get some time in the circle, but will be more of a utility player for the Leopards this season. She has the potential to play a significant amount at first base. Freshman Christine Hilcken could start for the Leopards, but with her off-speed pitches will more likely see the majority of time as a relief pitcher.

Stacey Kushner caught a majority of the fall games in preparation for her first season on College Hill. She is a versatile player with the potential to fill in at a variety of positions in the infield as the season progresses. At Methacton, she received All-Suburban American and all-area first-team honors at second base as a junior and all-area first-team as catcher in her senior season.

"Stacey has great presence and is very commanding on the field. She does a great job of setting up our defense," Gunther said. "She has a very strong arm and we really like her behind the plate."

Infield Reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Year Christina Giambrone and Patriot League First Team honoree Kristen Ruckno return to the most versatile infield Lafayette has had in the last three seasons.

One of the strongest offensive players, Ruckno established herself as the starting first baseman last year. All-Patriot League second baseman Jill Masterton graduated, leaving second base position up for grabs for the 2008 season. With her experience and range, Ruckno is one of the best options at the position. She led the team with five home runs and 30 RBI last season. Ruckno finished 2007 with the second highest batting average (.321) and slugging percentage (.504).

One of the four pitchers on the roster, Dassner may see time at first base after spending some time in to the outfield in the fall. Junior Sarah Bussiere will be a back up first base.

"Amy is a very strong first baseman. We are really hoping her offense is where it needs to be for her to get playing time," Gunther said. "She is certainly one of our best options at first base. She is very natural there and does a great job."

Giambrone will return for her sophomore season as the starting shortstop, after recovering from off-season surgery. Building upon an impressive freshman campaign, Giambrone is likely to be seen back at shortstop after making the move from catcher last year. She finished her freshman campaign with a team-best .344 batting average and had the highest on-base percentage (.491). Gunther will look for Giambrone to have more power at the plate and sees her as a consistent number No. 3 hitter after recording 30 RBI last year.

Freshman Kerry Griffin was the starting shortstop at Red Bank Catholic during the 2005 New Jersey State championship team and earned a backup spot at short after a good fall performance. She may also make the move to second and her strong bat will likely keep her in the lineup.

"We see Christina as our starting shortstop. She is one of the best hitters in the conference and I think will step up defensively this season," Gunther said. "There are a lot of options for Griffin and if she is producing at the plate she will be on the field, specifically the infield."

Senior Sarah Price was a consistent part of the infield last season at third base and will return to the position for her final season with the Leopards. She was the starting catcher in 2006 and adjusted to the demands of third base in 2007. Price has a strong arm and the quick reaction time necessary to play the hot corner. As one of only two upperclassmen in the infield, her leadership skills will be invaluable as the season progresses. Incoming freshman Kristin Garganio and sophomore Jessika Smith will be the back ups at third base, but both may also see time at the designated player spot and in pinch-hitting situations.

Outfield "We have two returning outfielders, both of whom have started for us the past two years in Emma Kline and Robyn Matchett," Gunther said. "Kline has been our starting centerfielder and Matchett has been our starting right fielder. Together, they will provide experience in the outfield."

Kline had 53 putouts and an assist in 2007 while Matchett finished last season with 60 putouts and two assists. She was also the team leader with eight stolen bases.

Junior Amanda Parker, who was a back-up outfielder in 2007, is expected to start some games after doing so all fall. Together, the three are the fastest players on the team and will bring the range and speed to the outfield. Sophomore Kelly Higgins has the potential to start some games this spring after a successful fall.

Schedule Following Sunday's season opener, the Leopards stay on the road for a majority of March. Lafayette travels to participate in the Tar Heel Invitational the following week. The Leopards are scheduled to play James Madison, Princeton, South Carolina Upstate and North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C. with the finals to take place on March 9.

"Our schedule is tougher this year than it has been in the past," Gunther said. "Obviously that is by design because the better you get the more you need to challenge yourself. I think that going down to play in the Tar Heel Invitational will ultimately, no matter what happens, prepare us for our Patriot League games."

As has been the norm for the past several seasons, Lafayette will partake in the Rebel Spring Games held in Osceola, Fla. and compete against Cornell, Iona, Columbia and Manhattan. The team will play eight games over a four-day stretch.

The Leopards do not start the season at the newly renovated Metzgar Fields until March 25 when they host two non-conference contests (Drexel, Rider) before opening Patriot League play against Bucknell (March 29-30). Lafayette will travel to St. Joseph's (Apr. 2) before taking on archrival Lehigh in Easton on Apr. 5-6.

Two non-conference matchups against Fairleigh Dickinson and Delaware State book-end the four-game series at Holy Cross series (Apr. 12-13). Lafayette hosts Colgate on Apr. 19-20 before Wagner travels to Easton on Apr. 22. The Leopards close Patriot League regular-season play at Army on April 26-27.

The Leopards will look to capture their third-straight Patriot League Tournament berth from May 8-10, hosted at the highest seed.