Central Michigan University Athletics
Softball Kicks Off 2003 Campaign This Weekend
2/11/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 11, 2003
MOUNT PLEASANT -- The defending Mid-American Conference champion Central Michigan University softball team opens the 2003 season this weekend against two of the top teams in the country.
The Chippewas are competing in the UNLV Classic this Friday through Sunday, February 14-16. CMU plays two games on Friday, two on Saturday, and one on Sunday morning.
"The team is excited about getting outside and playing," head coach Margo Jonker said. "We have excellent practice facilities but it's crucial for us to get outside and see how the ball bounces off the dirt."
CMU jumps into the fire facing No. 10-ranked Cal-Fullerton in the first game at 11:30 a.m., on Friday. The Chippewas also take on Cal-Riverside at 4:30 p.m., later that day. On Saturday, the Maroon and Gold face host UNLV at 2 p.m., and Hawaii at 7 p.m. Action comes to a close on Sunday with a meeting against No. 7-ranked Louisiana State at 9 a.m.
"It will be a challenging tournament for us opening with some ranked teams," Jonker said. "But, one of our team goals was to do well outside of the conference this season and competition like this is a great test for our program. We can do well in this tournament.
"Our team is mentally excited and that will make for a fun trip and a fun season. We only have so many opportunities to play top teams and make trips like this one, so it is important to the success of our program. We've spent a lot of time on the little things. We'll have to see how they pay off and if they allow us to reach our potential early in the season."
The Chippewas have a lot of potential coming off a 39-16 season, including a 23-1 league campaign in 2002. Jonker's Chippewas captured back-to-back MAC regular season titles and their fourth straight MAC tournament crown.
CMU returns an All-MAC pitching duo in first team selection Amber Puchalski (Corona, Calif./Jr.) and second team pick Jenni Rasmussen (Saginaw/Sr.).
Puchalski was 21-6 last year with a 1.45 ERA and MAC-record 308 strikeouts. Rasmussen was 13-6 with a 1.62 ERA and 82 Ks.
The Chippewas also return leading hitter Michelle Brander (Jenison/Sr.) who hit .359 with 11 doubles, four homers, and 34 RBI. She was a second team All-MAC pick. Karly McCormack (Antioch, Calif./Jr.) earned first team honors with a .318 average, three home runs, and 19 RBI while playing first.
Senior Sarah Hamilton (Brighton) also gives the Chippewa a consistent hitter with her .289 average last season and 22 RBI.
CMU is looking for a strong performance from the pitching staff to help early this year as the Chippewas are looking to solidify a lineup around the infield. The biggest hole to fill from last season is at short with the loss of four-time All-MAC selection Becky Manson, who is now a student assistant at CMU.
Brander, a utility player who mainly plays behind the plate, is a likely candidate for short, along with sophomore Natalie de la Vega (Miami, Fla.) who started at second last season.
The infield could also have a new look as a pair of freshmen could see plenty of time in the infield this season, along with JUCO transfer Aimee Smith (Romeo/Jr.) from Macomb CC.
"The newcomers have come in as one of the hardest working groups ever," Jonker said. "I'm impressed with their abilities as well and they will have a lot of expectations early. We don't like to do that as coaches but this group is going to have to step up and get the job done. We believe they are fully capable of doing it."
Smith, Karen Hohs (Morton Grove, Ill./Fr.), Brittany Decker (Thorton, Colo./Fr.), and Allie Hansen (Agoura Hills, Calif./Fr.) could all potentially be starters thanks to their flexibility with positions.
Following the UNLV Softball Classic, CMU will have two weeks off until heading to Florida for a week during Spring Break. The Chippewas will play in both the USF Strawberry Festival Tournament and the Speedline Tournament in Plant City.
The 2003 season marks the 25th year of Chippewa Softball.
