SB: PREVIEW - Bruins Looking to Talented Freshmen to Make Upward Strides in 2010

NEWBERG, Ore. - There will be a wholesale new look to the George Fox University softball team in 2010, with some familiar faces in new places and at least six new players in the starting lineup who will be called upon for immediate help, as the Bruins' second season under coach Jessica Hollen gets under way.

"I am very excited about the freshmen we have brought in," says Hollen, whose first Bruin squad last year went 5-32 overall and finished seventh in the Northwest Conference at 3-23.  "We will need them to contribute right away because of the personnel losses we had, but this is a talented group that understands the game, knows how to execute offensively, and is going to make us a whole lot better defensively."

The Bruins have four letterwinners returning after losing eight players, including First Team All-NWC pitcher-first baseman Chelsea Bradeley and Second Team All-NWC catcher Kerstyn Tsuruda.  Southpaw Bradeley was the Bruins' workhorse on the mound, going 5-24 with a 5.44 ERA and 160 strikeouts in 175 innings, the second-highest whiff total in the conference.  She also led the team with a .394 batting average, seven home runs, and 25 RBIs.  Tsuruda batted .267 with four RBIs and 11 runs scored while providing spirited leadership behind the plate.

"We'll certainly miss their individual talents," admits Hollen of Bradeley, who transferred back to Chemeketa Community College, and Tsuruda, who graduated.  "but the newcomers as a whole are more skilled than the ones they are replacing, and should make a more balanced team all-around."

The top returning hitter is Shelby Briske (Jr., Spanaway, Wash. / Bethel HS), who was second on the team with a .310 average, three home runs, and 14 RBIs.  She will move to her more natural position in right field after playing third base last year. 

"Shelby is a proven college success whom we will count on to drive in plenty of runs," says Hollen.  "She filled in admirably at third last year because we had a need there, but she is more comfortable in the outfield and being there should help her hitting even more."

Becka Doyle (So., Portland, Ore. / David Douglas HS) batted .265 with three home runs and 12 RBIs in her rookie season despite missing the final 12 games with a shoulder injury.  The Bruins' starting goalkeeper in soccer as well, the versatile athlete will be shifting from shortstop to second base for the softball team.

"Hopefully she will have a full healthy season," wishes Hollen, "and if she does, she will also be a big hitter for us.  She has been showing some good things in practice and is ready for a fine season."

Amy Peterson (So., Corvallis, Ore. / Santiam Christian HS) returns after a .171-0-2 rookie season, giving the Bruins an outstanding fly-chaser in center field.

"We've know all along that Amy was good defensively," say Hollen, "but she has come a long way offensively and we will look for her to get on base a lot this season." 

The Bruins' fourth returnee is Erin Lee (Sr., Edmonds, Wash. / Edmonds-Woodway HS), another all-around talent who played left field, third, and pitcher last spring.  She batted .130-0-9 while going 0-7 as the Bruins' No. 2 hurler. 

"Erin was sort of thrust onto the mound on short notice last year because we really didn't have anyone behind Chelsea," Hollen recalls.  "This time around, she's had time to prepare herself and should be much improved; she has come a long way and will get about half the starts this season.  She can expect to see a good bit of time in left field as well."

Serena Lee (So., Rogue River, Ore. / Rogue River HS) returns to anchor the Bruins' infield after missing the entire 2009 season with a torn meniscus.  She batted .208-0-3 as a freshman shortstop and will step into that role again.

"Serena finally appears completely healthy again," Hollen observes, "and if she can stay that way, she should solidify our infield defense."

The rest of the George Fox lineup will consist entirely of newcomers who will have to grow up in a hurry as they enter the dynamic world of Northwest Conference softball, a league which produced an NCAA Division III national champion as recently as 2007, when Linfield College won it all.

Shouldering the primary load on the hill for the Bruins will be right-hander Taylor Whitmore (Fr., Myrtle Creek, Ore. / South Umpqua HS).  Says Hollen, "Taylor will do a good job for us; she's hard-working and more than willing to take on the challenge of being our No. 1 pitcher even as a freshman."

Behind the plate will be Shelby Klein (Fr., Seattle, Wash. / Mt. Rainier HS), another two-sport athlete at George Fox who is coming over from the soccer team.  "Shelby is doing everything necessary to catch up, since she missed fall ball because of soccer," notes Hollen.   

Kerianne Davidson (Fr., Puyallup, Wash. / Emerald Ridge HS) is the catching backup, although her main task will be handling first base.  "Kerianne dedicated herself to getting stronger in the weight room, and it has paid off; she's swinging the bat very well now," comments Hollen.

At the opposite corner of the diamond, Bethany Chriss (Fr., Bend, Ore. / Summit HS) takes over at third.  "Bethany has shown outstanding leadership even as a freshman," observes Hollen.  "She is hard-working and good defensively, and is also swinging really well."

Beka Thomas (So., Concrete, Wash. / Concrete HS) is expected to be the top sub at first base, while Amy Lepire (Fr., Aurora, Ore. / North Marion HS) and Nicole Renteria (Fr., Oceanside, Calif. / Vista HS) will be utility players both on the infield and in the outfield, and could vie for starting time in left.  Renteria will be used extensively as a designated hitter as well.

"Amy and Nicole are both talented hitters," says Hollen, "and we need to get their bats in the lineup somewhere.  Chances are the left fielder will be whoever is hitting well at the time."

Kayla Ward (Fr., Newcastle, Calif. / Del Oro HS) was also recruited to play several infield positions, but will probably miss the entire season and seek a medical hardship year because of impending hip surgery.  She was injured in a fall last spring and tried to play through the pain during her first semester, but the problem has not resolved itself and she finally opted for the surgery.  

Fueling Hollen's excitement about her second season at George Fox is the refreshing team-oriented attitude displayed by all her new players.

"True, we haven't had much success here in recent years in terms of wins and losses," admits Hollen, "but all our freshmen have bought into the idea that we can turn this thing around and are excited about being a part of that.  They very much want to put the success of the program above personal success, and that's what it takes to build a winner."

The Bruins open the new season on Saturday, Feb. 20, with a home doubleheader at Morse Field against the Corban College Warriors at 12:00 noon.  On Sunday, they will play in the Northwest Cup Tournament hosted by Concordia University-Portland at Hood View Park in Happy Valley, Ore., taking on the College of Idaho at 9:00 a.m. and Northwest Christian University at 1:00 p.m.