Mason Softball Hopeful for New Season

By Broadside Staff Writer Brandon Simmons

Although the Patriots finished last in the CAA a year ago, they won 11 more games in 2007 than they did in 2006. After missing the CAA tournament last season, coach Joe Verbanic hopes that this year’s squad will be good enough to make the tournament in 2008.

The Patriots are led by senior first baseman Kristin Dickel and senior catcher Lesley Hassen. Dickel led the team in five categories in 2007 as her .368 batting average and .442 on-base percentage ranked sixth and fourth, respectively, in the CAA in 2007. She also led the team with 46 hits, 57 total bases and 19 walks. Hassen finished 2007 with a batting average of .295, which is the second highest among returning players.

These two players, along with senior infielder Katlyn Winter, will be expected to provide leadership in 2008. Unlike previous seasons when inexperience led to inconsistency on the field, Verbanic believes that the experience on this year’s team is a major strength.

Among the underclassmen, sophomore pitcher Becky Anderson is coming off a breakout freshman season. In 2007, she earned all-rookie and all-conference honors after leading the team with 25 RBIs and four home runs. She ranked in the top 10 in the CAA in innings pitched, batters struck out looking, appearances and games finished. However, she needs to work on her control. She led the CAA with 21 wild pitches.
Verbanic expects Anderson “to grow into a leadership role” in 2008.

Junior infielder and pitcher Alyson Bryan lead the team with 11 doubles and 22 runs and junior Kelsey Mack’s 19 runs scored ranked second on the team.

The Patriots brought in 11 talented newcomers for the 2008 season that Verbanic says “will bring depth to the program that we haven’t had in the past few seasons.” One of the players that Verbanic expects to make an immediate impact on this year’s team is catcher and second baseman Ciera Jones. As a senior at James Madison High School, she earned many postseason honors including Washington Post All-Metro second team.

With a non-conference schedule that includes Michigan and Auburn, Verbanic feels that it will allow the girls “to get their feet wet” before March when conference play begins. Verbanic is positive that his players are more confident than they were a year ago and are ready to make the next step in 2008.

“We have kids who are hungry for success, so I think they are learning what it takes to be successful at the D-1 level,” Verbanic said.