After falling short of expectations the past couple seasons, the Redbird softball team will try to put all the pieces together to return the program to prominence in 2006.
Head coach Melinda Fischer and her staff believe they have given their players the necessary tools to "Come Together Right Now." The `Birds need to find the winning combination of offense, defense, base-running and pitching to earn a 16th Missouri Valley Conference softball title, more than any other team.
Fischer has established a championship-caliber schedule, including games against four teams that finished in the top 25 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's (NFCA) final poll of 2005. The `Birds will also go head-to-head with three teams that received votes in the final poll.
ISU will participate in the NFCA Leadoff Classic. The field is loaded, with 20 teams that participated in the 2005 NCAA Tournament, including Women's College World Series champion Michigan and finalist Tennessee, who the `Birds will face twice in two days in their first tournament of the season. Then ISU will compete in the increasingly balanced Missouri Valley Conference.
Leadership
With so many challenges ahead, there won't be time for any rookie mistakes for Illinois State, whose roster features eight new players. For that reason, the experience of senior trio Tricia Gaither, Randi Patton and Katie Guilbault will be vital to success.
Gaither, one of the team captains, will start on the left side of the infield at either third base or shortstop, while Patton, the only all-conference player returning to the lineup in `06, will make the move to centerfield after playing in left field for three years. Guilbault may play first base or be utilized as a designated hitter.
"Leadership is going to be key with this team ... leadership from the captains, leadership from the new players and from players who have been with the program a while," Fischer said.
Pitching
The Redbird pitching corps, one of the most experienced groups, will also be asked to lead this team. Stacy Birk and co-captain Shannon Nicholson recorded every decision last season as sophomores, and both are quickly moving up the Illinois State career lists. Senior Sheila Emms didn't record a decision but still adds experience to this veteran group, which will be charged with bringing freshman Amber Smith along and getting her acclimated to the collegiate level.
"We've made some improvements in this area and they're starting to pay off," Fischer said. "Our three older pitchers have thrown a lot of innings, and they're really the core of the team at this point."
Catching
A pair of freshmen split the catching duties last season, and it seems as if another newcomer may fulfill that role once again. Freshman Casey Gorrell is emerging as the starter behind the plate. However, both Jen Wright and Jessie Buker may also perform some catching duties.
"We're facing huge losses relative to numbers and production," Fischer said. "But we feel like we have a lot of potential and more versatility. This team is really young, so the new players will have to come in and make significant contributions early. But what a great opportunity!"
What the new players lack in experience Fischer believes they will more than make up for with great desire, strong work ethics and good team chemistry.
"I think they've brought back a love for the game, and that's huge. With youthfulness sometimes players don't know what they can do yet. But our players are constantly improving and we're learning what our abilities are as a team."
Infield
With nearly four Redbirds vying for time at every position, the versatility of the squad will allow Fischer to change things up depending upon Illinois State's opponent.
"On defense, we're still interchanging positions," Fischer said. "We have a number of players who are learning up to three positions."
One area where there are some big shoes to fill is at second base where all-America Kate Stake started for the past four years. Tiffany Prager will help fill that void. Prager, who as a freshman saw action mainly in the outfield and as a pinch hitter, will be making her collegiate debut in the infield.
Meanwhile freshmen Kaprice Williams and Buker will compete for time at shortstop. Buker, who is a true utility player, may be utilized in up to five positions. Amie Tillery and Marilyn Tresenriter will also vie for playing time at the middle infield positions while both could also play in the outfield.
Redbird rookies Kelsey Warning and Smith are also trying to work their way into the lineup. Both will challenge for time at first base and as designated players. Smith, a 6-foot freshman, can fulfill a variety of roles whether its at first base, in the pitching circle or as a designated player.
While Warning is new to Illinois State, she isn't new to college softball. The two-time all-region and all-conference honoree at Division II Nebraska-Omaha will add some much needed experience and power to the Redbird lineup as a junior transfer.
"We lost a lot of experience, but we also added Kelsey who has played two years in a good program," Fischer said. "We recruited her out of high school, but she chose to go to Nebraska (Omaha). She really wanted to play Division I softball, and now we're in a position where she can step right in and help us immediately."
Outfield
In the outfield, the loss of four-year starter Lauren Bierwirth in center precipitated Patton's move from left. With no regular starter emerging in right field in 2005 and left field open due to Patton's move, a variety of players will compete for the other two positions.
Jackie Williams, Birk, Buker, Warning and Guilbault highlight the list of candidates. Williams has the most experience of all the contenders. Last season she started 23 games in right field, while none of the other players have seen game action in the outfield as Redbirds. Newcomers Katie Thoennes and Jessica Wapotish and sophomore Christy Colgan will also vie for the two open spots.
It will likely be a designated player by committee this season. Offensive production and where other Redbirds are in the lineup will largely dictate who will be the DP. Warning, Wright, Guilbault, Smith and Colgan are just a few options Fischer has in filling the role Mandy Garner flourished in near the end of last season.
With such a young team, it will take a total team effort for the Redbirds to reclaim their place among the elite in the Missouri Valley Conference. Fischer and her staff believe that it can be accomplished as long as the Redbirds take advantage of their opportunities and improve every time they step on the field. If the 2006 `Birds can "Come Together Right Now" they can soar by season's end.
