Feb. 15, 2011

2011 Softball Prospectus


Detroit, Mich. -- Even after winning a school record 52 games and a GLIAC championship, and making their second-ever appearance at the College World Series, the mindset remains the same for the Wayne State softball program.

It comes as no surprise as head coach Gary Bryce, who enters his 30th season approaching 1,000 wins, delivers a similar layout to success year after year.

“We look to be competitive, keep improving as the season moves forward and we will see where the chips fall,” stated Bryce.

The Warriors, who are ranked No. 5 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Preseason Top 25 poll, bring 10 letterwinners including seven starters, back for the 2011 campaign.

“If we raise our level of play when we need to, we have a chance to be a very good softball team. On the other side of the coin, if we decide to just show up, we're going to get beat.

“Our staff has always said that we want to win the league; I think it's important to win the league,” stated Bryce.

“The next step is to go on and win the Midwest Regional and Super Regional. From there, you see how far you can go at the College World Series, and our goal, like every year, is to win that.”

Because of the exit of All-American Casey Hanes, who finished her two-year career at WSU first in strikeouts (649), shutouts (32) and ERA (0.675), pitching is the biggest question mark for the Warriors.

“As the pitchers go, so does everybody, so I believe if our pitchers can give us quality innings, we have a chance to win a lot of games.”

Junior Sam Cain has the tough task of replacing Hanes as the Warriors top thrower.

Cain showed flashes in her sophomore campaign, throwing 53.2 innings to finish 3-3 with a 3.00 ERA and 32 strikeouts.

“She's a very good athlete. She can field her position really well. I think Sam has really worked hard this offseason. She knows she has a chance to get in the limelight and I think she's capable of doing that. She has to show that she's going to do that and I believe she has the potential. She knows that she is the No. 1 and she knows that we're going to count on her heavily. This is her chance.”

Freshman Lauren McLaughlin will jump right into action as Wayne State's No. 2 pitcher. McLaughlin hails from Oakville, Ont., where she earned a bronze medal at the 2008 Canadian Nationals. She was also voted the top pitcher at the Canadian World Series.

“She has shown her potential and has picked it up since arriving on campus. She's going to have to give us a lot of innings and I think she is capable of doing that. Like most freshmen, she will need to adjust to the college game.”

Junior Alison Allen, the reigning GLIAC Player of the Year and All-American, returns in right field. Allen hit .402 with 90 hits, 31 RBI and 41 runs scored. She also led the team in multiple-hit games with 23.

“Alison is one of the purest hitters in college softball. She is one of the best hitters I've ever seen; just absolutely destroys the ball. She probably has one of the better arms on the team too. She loves to play the game. She is coming into the season swinging the bat well and has got after it.”

Sophomore Stephanie Foreman, who was a fixture in centerfield for the Warriors last season, starting 62 games, is back. Foreman, a NFCA Scholar-Athlete award winner, led the team with 36 RBI, while batting .266 with 46 hits and 28 runs scored.

“Just by having another year under her belt and by age alone, I believe Stephanie will be a better hitter. She was a big contributor for us last year as a freshman and I expect more of the same from her this year.”

Freshman Logan White will be thrown right into the mix at leftfield, taking over for the departed Stephanie LeClair. White, who was selected athlete of the year at Pauline Johnson Collegiate in Brantford, Ont., has excellent speed and a solid arm. White also will log some innings on the mound too.

“I think Logan will be equivalent to Steph (LeClair). Steph was a .300 hitter, I don't know if Logan will be that, but Logan's quicker, probably has a little better arm and has the ability to hit. She has impressive ability and we're looking for her to utilize it. When I saw her play, people had a hard time throwing her out.”

Sophomore Makelle Barski returns in the outfield. Last season, Barski saw the field in 48 games and scored 17 times in 32 pinch-running appearances.

“Makelle will be an important asset to our team this season. Last year, she stepped in during key moments and came through. Many of the runs she scored played a big part in us winning some games.”

Rachel Spaccarotelli hits with power and will enter her senior season tied-for-eighth in career home runs (14). Spaccarotelli played in 32 games as a junior, hitting .312 with eight home runs, including three home runs in a game at Hillsdale.

“My goal and I think it could happen is that Rachel can be a consistent hitter for us. If she takes hold of the designated player position and stays consistent, she is going to have a good year. She's a kid who can hit a home run anytime and it's good to have a player like that in your lineup.”

Junior Lauren Histed moves from second base to shortstop to replace the hole left by Jaci Banton. Histed is no stranger to the position as she played it throughout high school and was even voted all-state three times at the spot.

“I think she'll handle it. The question mark on Lauren is she doesn't have the arm Jaci (Banton) had, but she gets rid of the ball quicker.

We have her stretching out her arm, so she can make that longer throw. I like her quickness and I think it helps her at the position.”

Junior Rebecca Ryan returns at first base after producing career-best numbers last season which earned her All-GLIAC First Team accolades. Ryan hit .355 with 66 hits, 35 RBI and 38 runs scored. Her 17 multiple-hit games were second on the team. Ryan also ranks 10th in GLIAC history with 858 putouts.

“She is a tough, hard-nose kid. She's not the quickest, doesn't have the greatest arm but makes all the plays. You need a hit? She finds a hit. You need to field that ball? She'll field that ball.”

Bryce is expecting big things from redshirt sophomore Brittany Omelanchuk who returns behind the plate at catcher. Last season, Omelanchuk was voted to the Daktronics All-Midwest Region Second Team and All-GLIAC First Team. She was 11th in the conference in on-base percentage (.444) and had 12 multiple-hit games and six multiple-RBI affairs.

“Brittany could be one of the best Division II catchers ever. She has all the makings to be a big-time catcher. She can hit with power and she has a good arm. We'll especially need her to handle the pitchers this year. If she gets herself in the right frame of mind and does the right things, she'll be awesome.”

For another season, Rebecca Stanley will hold down the left-side of the infield at third base. Stanley has started her entire career (121 games) at third and has also batted third in every game.

She set the WSU record for starts (65) last season and made the All-GLIAC Honorable Mention team after finishing tied-for-second in league walks with 14. Her 26 total walks last season broke a school record.

“Rebecca is a very steady ball player. She is a good hitter; good defensively. She has done a great job holding that area down for three years. She is great to have on the team and look forward to another season with her.”

Junior Kristina Susalla should contribute in the infield and will also fill in at designated player.

“Last year, she didn't play a ton but got key hits when we needed her to. She is probably the hardest worker on our team and will be important to the team's success.

Newcomer Amanda Burnard batted .430 as a senior at Plymouth High School to earn First-Team All-State honors. Burnard plays both catcher and third base and likely will see playing time at both positions.
“She is a very good player. Sometimes, when freshmen come in, they're not ready to play at this level. They might be ready to play for a team that isn't as high quality or high emphasis as ours, but Amanda has those intangibles. Here's a kid that is probably in waiting to be good. She has a great arm. She just needs to learn a little bit more about college softball.

With Histed moving to shortstop, the Warriors are looking for freshman Nikki Fulton from Stratford, Ont., to take her place at second base.

“Nikki is a very nice defensive player. She has good speed and a good arm, but I think what sets her aside is she's a very good hitter. She will probably bat in the second spot for us. I saw her play the last couple of years and she always seemed to get a hit.”

Freshman Ali Herbert will be redshirted this season due to injury.

“Ali is a hard-nose kid and sometimes as a pitcher you have to be like that, so it's unfortunate she got hurt.”