2016 Softball Season Preview

2015 record: 22-30 (14-10 MCC, 3rd)
Starters returning/lost: 4/5 fielders; 3/2 pitchers
Letterwinners returning/lost: 9/10

Notable returners:
Marissa Pereyra, Sr., Fullerton, Calif.
(First-team all-MCC, .382 BA, 2 HR, 12 RBI)
Chelsee Herron, Sr., Anaheim, Calif.
(Letterwinner, .265 BA, 1 HR, 17 RBI)
Taylor Vernon, Sr., Tracy, Calif.
(Letterwinner, .311 BA, 2 HR, 13 RBI)
Chyanne Koko, Sr., Waianae, Hawaii
(Letterwinner, .280 BA, 3 HR, 23 RBI)

Notable losses:
Brittanee Grove
(Two-time first-team all-MCC)
Bri Zerley
(Three-time first-team all-MCC)
Jorden Steele
(Two-time all-MCC)
Ashlee Dennis
(Three-time all-MCC)

Notable newcomers:
Breann Robertson, Fr., Rainier, Wash.
Tricia Bonifacio, Jr., Lahaina, Hawaii
Hayley Freestone, Fr., Las Vegas, Nev.
Chelsea Griffiths, Jr., Ottumwa, Iowa
Elizabeth Whitaker, Jr., Azalea, Ore.

This year's William Penn softball team will feature an abundance of new names and faces, but title contention will still be the program's goal as it enters a new league in 2016.

The Statesmen, who concluded their final year in the Midwest Collegiate Conference with a disappointing 22-30 record (14-10 MCC), join the Heart of America Athletic Conference and look to continue their tradition of success against new rivals.

Head Coach Mike Christner will try to accomplish this with new talent at nearly every position. Returning all-conference performer Marissa Pereyra (Sr., Fullerton, Calif., Exercise Science) will anchor a squad that may take some lumps early, but if it improves as the coaching staff expects, it will be in the mix to qualify for postseason play.

Pitcher

Paige Miguel (Sr., Hollister, Calif., Exercise Science) heads a trio of returning hurlers who will carry a heavier load on their shoulders than they did in 2015. Miguel was 2-9 last spring with a 6.87 Earned Run Average in 55 innings of work.

Fellow returners Chyanne Koko (So., Waianae, Hawaii, Business Management) and Olivia Nichols (Jr., Hurdland, Mo., Exercise Science) may also see time. They combined for just 6 1/3 innings in 2015.

The ace position appears to belong to incoming transfer Elizabeth Whitaker (Jr., Azalea, Ore., Exercise Science), while freshmen Tabitha Scott (Placentia, Calif., Psychology) and Shelby Allender (Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Communications) will also compete for innings.

Catcher

Chelsee Herron (Sr., Anaheim, Calif., Elementary Education) has the inside track behind the plate after hitting .265 with one home run and 17 RBIs last year, but newcomer Kayla Browning (Jr. Spring Valley, Calif., Biology) is giving her quite the challenge.

Jarrah Jensen (Jr., Blakesburg, Iowa, Physical Education), Jayleen Ovalles (Fr., Brooklyn, N.Y., Psychology), and Sabrina Bryant (Fr., Chandler, Ariz., Communications) also have their sights set on getting on the diamond.

First Base

Taylor Vernon (So., Tracy, Calif., Ripon HS) had a stout freshman campaign and will again man the position. She owned a .311 batting average with two home runs and 13 RBIs in 2015.

Hayley Freestone (Fr., Las Vegas, Nev., Business Management) has had a strong fall and winter and could earn time, while Abbey Montgomery (Jr., Norwalk, Iowa, Elementary Education) will serve as another backup.

Second Base

Quick-handed Tricia Bonifacio (Jr., Lahaina, Hawaii, Psychology) has been given the nod at second base, while returner Diamond Rios (So., Apple Valley, Calif., English Education) is back healthy and will seek to get into the lineup, as will incoming freshmen Makenna Van Veen (Monroe, Iowa, Sociology), Jackie Hernandez (Pecos, Texas, Sociology), and Taylor Carter (Knoxville, Iowa, Mechanical Engineering).

Shortstop

Christner is excited to have, for the first time in years, a true shortstop as Breann Robertson (Fr., Rainier, Wash., Human Services and Sociology) makes her way onto the dirt after a great prep career.

Bonifacio will sub for her if needed, while Miguel, when she is not pitching, and Jordan Nissen (Fr., Camanche, Iowa, Physical Education) are also working out at the position. As a batter last spring, Miguel posted a .118 batting average with four runs scored.

Third Base

WPU's top batter from a year ago, Pereyra is at the top of the list at third base after hitting .382 with a pair of roundtrippers and 12 RBIs.

With so much new talent in the middle of the infield, Brooklyn Bantz (So., Smithville, Mo., Computer Science) has been allowed to return to her natural spot at the hot corner. She hit .196 with seven RBIs in 2015.

Gabrielle Braniff (Jr., Olympia, Wash., General Accounting) is a possible fit at third base, but will likely start her junior campaign as the team's designated player. Braniff posted a .238 batting clip with three home runs and 14 RBIs last season.

When not pitching, Whitaker may stay in the lineup at third base, while Aimee Madsen (Fr., Yelm, Wash., Undecided) and MacKenzie McClure (Fr., Fairfield, Iowa, General Accounting) are possibilities as well.

Left Field

Molly LaMotte (Jr., Enumclaw, Wash., Exercise Science) has secured one of the outfield slots in her first navy and gold campaign. Kadie Meek (Fr., Bonaparte, Iowa, Physical Education) is set to step in if needed.

Center Field

As the year progresses, the coaching staff will settle on where to put Koko, but for now she is likely set to captain the grass in center field. The sophomore leads all returners with 22 runs scored last year; she hit .280 with surprising pop (three home runs, 23 RBIs).

Juniors Chelsea Griffiths (Jr., Ottumwa, Iowa, Psychology and Human Services) and Kodee Johnson (Jr., Stockton, Calif., General Mathematics) will utilize their previous collegiate experience to earn innings.

Right Field

Siarra Velasquez (Sr., Carter Lake, Iowa, Biology), who mostly served as a pinchrunner in 2015 (10 runs scored) will open 2016 in right field.

Nissen may figure into consideration in the outfield as well.

Schedule

Action begins a bit early this spring with WPU opening at Lyon in Batesville, Ark. this Friday and Saturday. Another southern trip next weekend to Texas for the Cowtown Classic will also come before the program goes to Arizona for its annual spring break trip.

Doubleheaders against powerhouses Saint Xavier (Ill.) and Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) also highlight the non-conference slate.

Conference

The Heart has been owned in recent years by Central Methodist (Mo.) and few see that changing this year as the Eagles are #5 in the NAIA's preseason poll. Grand View figures to give CMU a run, while the Statesmen could be seen as a darkhorse who has a good chance to fight for the top spot as well. With 12 teams in the league, two automatic berths to the NAIA National Championships will be up for grabs.

"We have players who can hit and play defense, but our success will hinge on our pitching," Christner said. "If they can pick it up, we will be in good position."