Central Michigan University Athletics
2004 CMU Softball Outlook
2/12/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 12, 2004
Veteran Central Michigan University softball coach Margo Jonker enters her 25th season at the helm of the Chippewa softball program with one of her biggest challenges yet.
Armed with just four upperclassmen with Division I experience, Jonker and the Chippewas have a youthful team in 2004.
"This is the least experienced team I've coached in my career," she said. "It could be a difficult experience trying to get everyone on the same page, or it could be a great experience. We'll go with believing it will be the great experience. We're excited to watch individuals improve in their individual skills and therefore the team improve as a whole.
"It has been fun to watch this group of players jell into one team. Already we've seen great progress through individual workouts, we just have to see how much that develops and shows in game situations."
The Chippewas return nine letterwinners and six starters from last year's team that finished 26-18 overall and second in the Mid-American Conference West Division at 14-7.
CMU returns an All-Mid-American Conference duo in pitcher Amber Puchalski (Corona, California) and corner infielder Aimee Smith (Romeo). Junior outfielder Christin Sobeck (Alpena) and junior middle infielder Natalie de la Vega (Miami, Florida) give CMU its only other upperclassmen.
The Maroon and Gold lost six letterwinners from last season, including MAC "Player of the Year" Michelle Brander. Also gone are pitcher Jenni Rasmussen, outfielder Sarah Hamilton, utility players Kristen White and Ari Ault, and corner infielder Karly McCormack.
The Chippewas have seven sophomores, seven freshmen and a junior college transfer to add into the mix in 2004. Two of the sophomores were in the starting lineup last season in utility players Brittany Decker (Thorton, Colorado) and Karen Hohs (Morton Grove, Illinois).
A talented freshman class will look to help replace some of the losses. The newcomers include three NFCA High School All-America selections - pitcher Jill DeRoche (Brighton), catcher Lindsey Calme (Waterford), and outfielder Brittany Fulks (Brighton).
Amber Puchalski is chasing the Mid-American Conference career strikeout record this season.  | |
"We were able to sign most of the best players in the state of Michigan," Jonker said. "The freshmen have a willingness to work and their excitement will add another dimension to this year's team."
With a such a large influx of new players this year, the team has spent a lot of time mentoring leadership qualities.
"With our young team, it is difficult to know what to expect," Jonker said. "Our success will have a lot to do with the development of our leadership and the drive of the players. We're excited about the attitudes. There is a great energy level in practice with a willingness to communicate issues that come up and need to be addressed."
Jonker points to the team strengths as pitching, more team speed, and depth position by position.
"Our pitching staff complements each other well with the different styles and strengths," Jonker said. "Puchalski is a strikeout pitcher who is looking to cap off a tremendous career. We have more depth in all our positions and that will force competition for playing time and it will enhance our overall team performance."
Two concerns are power and consistency.
"We have potential for power but we will need to do the little things in order to score runs," Jonker said. "Consistency is always a concern with such a young team. However, we will never use youth as an excuse."
Christin Sobeck has power potential at the plate and the outfielder is looking for consistency in her junior season. | |
The youthful Chippewas will be thrown into the fire right away at the NFCA Leadoff Classic, Feb. 27-29, in Columbus, Georgia. There, CMU will face some perennial Top 25 teams in Oklahoma, UMass and DePaul. After that, the Chippewas head to a pair of tournaments in Florida before jumping into MAC play.
"We lead off the season with a prestigious tournament where we'll face some of the top teams in the country," Jonker said. "After that, the Rebel Games should give us a little confidence and the Florida State tournament is a good mix of competitive teams."
CMU saw its string of four straight NCAA Tournament appearances come to an end last season but the Chippewas hope to challenge for the MAC crown in what is expected to be a wide open conference race in 2004.
"I see us in the mix with Western Michigan, Akron, Kent State, Northern Illinois and Marshall," Jonker said. "WMU (the defending MAC tournament champions) lost quite a bit but the Broncos should be strong again and Marshall (the defending MAC regular season champion) has a great sophomore class."
The top six teams at the end of the regular season advance to the MAC Tournament May 13-15 at Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio.
Pitcher
Senior Amber Puchalski headlines the Chippewa pitching staff which is expected to be one of the strengths of the team in 2004. Puchalski, a two-time first team All-MAC selection and the 2001 MAC "Pitcher of the Year," has her sights set on a handful of CMU and MAC records. Already the CMU career strikeout leader with 726, the righty is within reach of breaking the MAC mark of 842. She enters her final season with a 60-21 record and a 1.43 ERA.
Sophomore Jessica Garvin (Shepherd) and freshman Jill DeRoche will both see plenty of time in the circle as well. Garvin went 5-3 with a 1.96 ERA in 16 appearances last season after a redshirt year in 2002.
"Garvin has made tremendous strides," Jonker said. "She has improved immensely in speed, complement of pitches and maturity. She will surprise a lot of people this season."
DeRoche was the top-ranked prep player in the state of Michigan last season and she hauled in several awards, including being named first team NFCA All-America and Michigan Miss Softball (pitcher). The right-hander was 35-0 with a 0.23 ERA in her senior season and led Brighton High School to the Division 1 state championship.
"Jill has the ability to step in and make a big impact immediately," Jonker said. "The pitchers complement each other to form a complete staff. We have a rise ball and a drop ball pitcher and one with a great changeup. We will be able to utilize each at the appropriate time based on the type of hitting team we are facing."
Catcher
CMU will use two primary catchers in sophomore Brittany Decker and freshman Lindsay Calme. Decker started 41 games last season and hit .216 with three homers and 11 RBI. Calme was Michigan's Miss Softball (position player) as a senior at Our Lady of the Lakes and she led her team to the Division 4 state championship.
"Decker returns as a high energy player behind the plate and Calme is more of a thinker," Jonker said. "Our two catchers are different in their approach but they both are willing to study the game by learning the pitcher's strengths and the opposition's weaknesses."
Decker will also see time in the outfield when she isn't catching while Calme will see time at third base.
Angie Hunter, a walk-on, will serve as bullpen catcher and will play a vital role in the development of the pitchers.
Corner Infielders
The Chippewas have a lot of depth and options on the corners this season. Returning starter Aimee Smith earned second team All-MAC honors last season. She played both first and third and hit .302 with seven RBI after transferring from Macomb Community College.
"Smith is a gamer who plays with heart and gets the job done," Jonker said.
Also in the mix at first are sophomore Christan Dhondt (Perrysburg, Ohio) and freshman Chivon Kloepfer (Guelph, Ont.). Dhondt came on strong at the end of the year last season and hit .229 with six RBI in 18 starts.
"Dhondt has made tremendous defensive improvements," Jonker said. "We need both her and Smith's sticks in the lineup."
Third base has the most options but only Allie Hansen (Agoura Hills, Calif.) has collegiate experience there. Sophomore Stephanie Crews (Chelsea) and freshman Lindsay Calme could all play there as a secondary position.
"We have a plethora of players at third," Jonker said. "Hansen spent last summer working with a personal trainer on her foot speed and quickness. Crews is a very talented player who hasn't played much at third but she's done an excellent job there. We can also use Calme at the corner as well."
Natalie de la Vega returns as a two-year starter in the middle infield. | |
Middle Infield
CMU returns a pair of starters who have seen plenty of time up the middle. Junior Natalie de la Vega has played both second and short in her career and sophomore Karen Hohs fielded second last season.
"de la Vega is a good defensive player who played short for us last season but started at second her freshman year," Jonker said. "Hohs worked hard over the summer to improve her weaknesses. She's more consistent and in control now at second."
de la Vega hit .210 a year ago with six RBI but she missed the final 10 games with a knee injury. Hohs batted .206 and stole a team-high nine bases.
Sophomore newcomer Stephanie Crews (Chelsea) will see a lot of time at shortstop.
"Shortstop is Crews' natural position," Jonker said. "She is a 'game player' with an unorthodox style but she gets the job done. We're expecting great things from her this year." de la Vega can also play short, Hohs in the outfield and Crews at third.
Outfield
Junior Christin Sobeck is the most experienced outfielder returning in the lineup. She started 35 games last season and hit .301 with five home runs. Sobeck drove in 23 runs which tied for the most on the team.
"Sobeck has a lot of ability and a great arm," Jonker said. "She is a good technique outfielder and we'll see her in center the most."
Sophomore utility players Karen Hohs and Brittany Decker will also see time in the outfield again this season when they are not in another position.
Also looking to fill lineup spots in the outfield are sophomore Erika Morris (Elk Rapids) and a group of newcomers that includes high school All-America selection Brittany Fulks (Brighton), junior college transfer Chelsey McKellar (East China/Macomb CC), Jacque Benedict (Lowell) and Annemarie Meeuwenberg (Traverse City).
"Fulks gets a great jump on the ball and she is working to improve her other skills," Jonker said. "She is going to make a big impact in our program.
"Morris has worked hard on hitting and defense and Benedict can hit for power so she'll be fighting to be in the lineup. McKellar will provide us with some added experience and Meeuwenberg has great foot speed."
