Central Michigan University Athletics
Season Preview: Outfield Brings Speed and Youth
2/11/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Final part of CMUChippewas. three-part series previewing each position of the 2011 CMU Softball team.
Part One: Catchers & Pitchers | Part Two: Infielders | CMU Tabbed Second in MAC West
MOUNT PLEASANT — Team speed and youth. Two things head coach Margo Jonker hopes will make her outfield very successful during the 2011 season.
The Chippewas return just one starter from their 2010 outfield in junior Ashley Gilson, but have a plethora of youth that will see significant playing time early in the season.
Gilson (Petersburg, Mich./Summerfield HS) started 35 games in left field for the Maroon and Gold in 2010, batting a team-best .326 while pacing the team with a .477 on-base percentage. The junior belted five home runs during her sophomore campaign and finished third on the team with 10 steals in 11 attempts.
"Ashley is as solid player as we have and is a competitor," Jonker said. "She will do a great job for us this year."
The Chippewas also return sophomore Macy Merchant (Wayland, Mich./Wayland HS). Merchant appeared in 35 games last season, primarily as a pinch runner, but started 12 games and Jonker expects she will provide speed both on the base paths and in the outfield during the 2011 campaign.
"Macy looks good and is healthy this year," Jonker said. "She is a competitor and has speed. She has all the tools and makes great jumps on the balls in the outfield."
Sophomore Summer Knoop (Reed City, Mich./Reed City HS) will provide depth in the outfield while also spending time in the infield, primarily at third base. Knoop started 36 times during her freshman campaign, batting .318 while leading the team with 12 sacrifices.
The final piece of the Chippewa outfield will be filled by a platoon of young players who will see time both in the field and used as pinch runners to provide speed off the bench.
Freshman Lauren Bowman (Jenison, Mich./Jenison HS), Danielle Cabrera (Pico Rivera, Calif./La Serna HS) and Brittney Horan (Rosebush, Mich./Mount Pleasant HS) will compete for time in the outfield, as well as use their speed as a tool for Jonker on the base paths.
"We have a lot of speed on the team this year," Jonker said. "Lauren, Danielle and Brittney have speed on the base paths. The speed on the bench will help us out in pinch-running situations."
The Chippewas open play next Friday, Feb. 18 in Jacksonville, Fla., when they take on Jacksonville State at 1:30 p.m. CMU will spend its first month of play in the state of Florida.
Check back to CMUChippewas.com next week for the first episode of the Softball Insider as well a weekend preview of CMU's upcoming games.
Part One: Catchers & Pitchers | Part Two: Infielders | CMU Tabbed Second in MAC West
MOUNT PLEASANT — Team speed and youth. Two things head coach Margo Jonker hopes will make her outfield very successful during the 2011 season.
The Chippewas return just one starter from their 2010 outfield in junior Ashley Gilson, but have a plethora of youth that will see significant playing time early in the season.
Gilson (Petersburg, Mich./Summerfield HS) started 35 games in left field for the Maroon and Gold in 2010, batting a team-best .326 while pacing the team with a .477 on-base percentage. The junior belted five home runs during her sophomore campaign and finished third on the team with 10 steals in 11 attempts.
"Ashley is as solid player as we have and is a competitor," Jonker said. "She will do a great job for us this year."
The Chippewas also return sophomore Macy Merchant (Wayland, Mich./Wayland HS). Merchant appeared in 35 games last season, primarily as a pinch runner, but started 12 games and Jonker expects she will provide speed both on the base paths and in the outfield during the 2011 campaign.
"Macy looks good and is healthy this year," Jonker said. "She is a competitor and has speed. She has all the tools and makes great jumps on the balls in the outfield."
Sophomore Summer Knoop (Reed City, Mich./Reed City HS) will provide depth in the outfield while also spending time in the infield, primarily at third base. Knoop started 36 times during her freshman campaign, batting .318 while leading the team with 12 sacrifices.
The final piece of the Chippewa outfield will be filled by a platoon of young players who will see time both in the field and used as pinch runners to provide speed off the bench.
Freshman Lauren Bowman (Jenison, Mich./Jenison HS), Danielle Cabrera (Pico Rivera, Calif./La Serna HS) and Brittney Horan (Rosebush, Mich./Mount Pleasant HS) will compete for time in the outfield, as well as use their speed as a tool for Jonker on the base paths.
"We have a lot of speed on the team this year," Jonker said. "Lauren, Danielle and Brittney have speed on the base paths. The speed on the bench will help us out in pinch-running situations."
The Chippewas open play next Friday, Feb. 18 in Jacksonville, Fla., when they take on Jacksonville State at 1:30 p.m. CMU will spend its first month of play in the state of Florida.
Check back to CMUChippewas.com next week for the first episode of the Softball Insider as well a weekend preview of CMU's upcoming games.
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