1999 Softball Outlook

The 1999 season marks the 20th season for UMass Head Coach Elaine Sortino. Sortino has accomplished many feats in her 19 seasons at the University of Massachusetts. One of the winningest coaches in collegiate softball, Sortino has amassed more than 600 wins in her career. With 11 Atlantic 10 titles and three College World Series trips in the '90s, Sortino has pushed the UMass softball program into the nation's elite. After two consecutive trips to the College World Series, Sortino has her sights set on loftier goals. Getting there is not really enough, Sortino and her Minutewomen are set to make a run at the nation's best. With All-American Danielle Henderson and senior Mandy Galas leading the charge, Sortino has assembled one of the deepest and most talented teams to ever wear UMass uniforms.

Pitchers

Senior Danielle Henderson

In a game dominated by pitching, the Minutewomen find themselves lucky to have one of the best pitchers in the college game on the mound wearing Maroon and White. Danielle "Harry" Henderson returns for her senior year as one of the most decorated athletes in UMass history. A two-time All-American, Henderson has assaulted the UMass record books and has now focused her attention on the NCAA all-time charts. The nation's leader in strikeouts last season, Henderson holds 21 UMass records including every single game record. She is ranked 16th on the NCAA career chart for strikeouts with 878. Henderson, the fifth person in NCAA history to have more than 400 strikeouts in a single-season with 430 last season, will again be the dominant force on the mound for UMass.

The senior hurler who has trained with USA Softball on several occasions in the last year, is competing for a spot on the U.S. National Team that will represent the United States in the Pan Am Games this summer. But this spring she will direct her attention to leading the Minutewomen on the quest to return to Oklahoma City.

Coach Sortino: "Harry has been such a great part of our success in the last few years. She has been one of the most dominating pitchers in the country and has continued to do great things for our softball program. She has a very special opportunity this season to do some incredible things this year."

Returning for her sophomore season on the mound will be Carrie Jeffries. Jeffries combines speed and craftiness and has worked extremely hard over the summer and fall on improving the movement and velocity of her pitches, as well as expanding the repertoire of pitches that she can throw. Jeffries turned in a 10-5 record in her rookie campaign, finishing with a 1.05 ERA in 16 appearances.

Joining Henderson and Jeffries this spring will be freshman Jen Hadley. Hadley possesses a tireless work ethic. A solid athletic pitcher with good velocity, Hadley will provide great depth to the pitching rotation.

Coach Sortino: "Carrie has really improved since last year. She gained good experience last year, and has worked diligently on her ball movement. We really need Carrie to perform consistently for us this year. I think that our staff as a whole with Harry, Carrie and Jen will be solid."

Infield

Senior Mandy Galas

Kim Gutridge was a second team All-American last season and one of the finest hitters in UMass history. If filling her shoes at the plate wasn't tough enough, Sortino will have to find a glove that will guard first base with Gutridge's precision. With only Gutridge's lost to graduation, three of four infield starters return from last season. Leading the charge will be senior Mandy Galas. The top-returning hitter, Galas hit a career best .354 at the plate last year. A multi-dimensional offensive threat from the leadoff spot, Galas can execute the short game and hit for power. The best eye on the squad, Galas is a tough out who makes the most of her opportunities at the plate and her opportunities when she gets on base. Galas stole a team second best 21 bases in 26 attempts last season. An aggressive middle infielder, Galas will resume her second base duties where she has developed into a strong defender.

Sophomore Kiley Scofield returns after a steady year at shortstop as a freshman. A big play infielder, Scofield possesses a rocket arm and great instincts in the field. Scofield who hit .259 last season, made some excellent strides at the plate including some key hits in postseason play last year.

Sophomore Annie Smith

Sophomore Annie Smith returns to the hot corner after an excellent freshman season. Smith, an outstanding defensive third baseman started every game last year at third. She has a great arm in the field and hit .224 at the plate last year, and improved steadily as the season went on. Smith has worked diligently in the offseason on her hitting and will likely hit in the meat of the order this spring.

The likely candidate to start at first base will be freshman Cherra Wheeler. A poised and mature player, Wheeler is a powerful hitter, who will make an immediate impact both offensively and defensively. With patience and power at the plate, Wheeler is likely to hit in the middle of the order.

Freshman Jacquie Scarlett, Ashley Bakken and Teri Rooney could all see time in the infield, but may also be used in the outfield. Scarlett is an aggressive contact hitter who has good speed on the bases. She is a versatile player who can play in either the infield or outfield. A lefty slapper, who can hit for power, Bakken will be another speedy addition to the line-up. Hitting from the left side, Bakken will follow in the fine line of lefty slap hitters at UMass. Rooney gives UMass another lefty option at the plate who could see time at a variety of positions.

Catchers

Junior Nikki Faessler

Junior Nikki Faessler will assume the full time starting job behind the plate this season after the graduation loss of Kelly Buckley. Faessler was forced into the starting role at the Florida State Invitational after Buckley sustained a thumb injury. The understudy did an excellent job in her 36 games, honing her defensive presence behind the plate. A powerful hitter, Faessler belted five home runs last year and already ranks as one of the top ten home run hitters in UMass history. Faessler has worked to develop her patience and maturity at the plate and will be a key part of the middle of the batting order again this year. Freshman Natalie Didonna will serve as Faessler's back-up behind the plate.

Outfield

Three senior veterans co-captain Becky George, Katie Kenderski and Octavia Brown all return to the outfield corps this season. George who started the season at shortstop, moved to leftfield after the spring trips. An All-Atlantic 10 selection in the outfield, George has developed into a strong hitter, hitting .289 last season out of the middle of the order. Kenderski and Brown shared duties in right field last season. Brown is a talented athlete who has a strong arm and great speed. She can execute the short game well and makes the most of her opportunities on base. Kenderski has the same type of skills, but she hits from the left side making her an even more dangerous weapon. She has worked hard in the offseason to strengthen her arm and has grown as a hitter. Brown and Kenderski are both used strategically as pinch runners when not starting in the outfield. Sophomore Debbie Tomoguchi will join the three seniors in the outfield corps. Tomoguchi who played in 38 games last year, earned starts in 28 and improved as the season went on. A good contact hitter, Tomoguchi made some strong pinch hitting performances last season. She has worked hard in the offseason on her defensive ability and will vie for a starting job.

Schedule

There is no question that UMass will take on a tough schedule this season. The first test for UMass, ranked tenth in the USA Today / NFCA Poll will be the five ranked opponents they will face in the Fiesta Bowl Tournament in Tempe, Arizona. UMass will then head to the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Georgia to take on one of the most challenging in-season tournament fields in the country. The Minutewomen will head back to the Florida State Invitational where they finished as runner's-up last year to host Florida State to take on another grueling field. After the three spring trips, the Minutewomen will settle into Atlantic 10 play with their eyes on a 12th title in 14 years. UMass will also take on traditional regional rivals, Boston College and UConn, as well as travelling to the Princeton Tournament.

Wrap-Up

There is no doubt that the goal for the Minutewomen this season is to advance back to the Women's College World Series. The squad is as deep and talented as Sortino has had in her career, but they are focused and ready to challenge the nation's best.

Coach Sortino: "This team has trained very hard and they are motivated to perform well this year. We have an experienced team that has welcomed seven new faces who are excited about the opportunity to be successful this year.

Scoreboard

University of Massachusets Athletics