2008 Urbana University Softball Outlook
Coming off of a 2007 campaign that saw the Blue Knight softball team win Urbana University’s first-ever regular season American Mideast Conference championship, Head Coach Nikki Pluger has great expectations for her 2008 squad. The Blue Knights return seven starters from the championship team that went 23-24 overall and 10-4 in AMC play; plus Pluger brought in 10 talented recruits.

“Winning the AMC regular season championship has helped put Urbana softball on the map,” said Pluger. “It’s helped with recruiting and getting our name out. It’s given us a boost in the right direction. Having that confidence will help get us right back there this season. I can’t give enough credit to the team.”

The success from 2007 has already reaped benefits. In addition to a top-notch recruiting class, the Blue Knights also received votes in the 2008 NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll.

“Being ranked really is an honor for our program and the team. The team is excited, but they know now there is a target on their back,” said Pluger. “Even the newcomers have a sense that we have to play each and every game to the best of our abilities. We won’t be taken lightly now.”

The Blue Knights lost just one senior from the starting lineup of the championship team, but she was a major factor in the team’s success: first team all-AMC shortstop Katie Mallett.

“Losing Katie is hard, but hopefully, with the recruits we’ve brought in, we will fill her shoes,” said Pluger. “They definitely have the talent to do so.”

Junior transfer Erica Schroeder (Huber Heights, Ohio) and freshman Tami Lasley (Union, Ohio) will be looked upon to fill in at shortstop this season. Schroeder transferred from Wright State where she played in 49 games for a Raider squad that won the Horizon League championship and played in the NCAA tournament. Lasley is an all-State performer from Northmont High School.

“Erica has two years of college experience. That has helped her along the way,” said Pluger. “She’s a newcomer to us but she knows what it means to go to a conference championship and how to win.

“Both Erica and Tami have a great arm for that side of the field,” added Pluger. “They both have a lot of range and can cover a lot of ground. They both know the game very well at short and always think a step ahead.”

On the other side of middle infield at second base is senior veteran Erin Dowdell (North Ridgeville, Ohio). Dowdell earned all-AMC honors last season after posting a .950 fielding percentage. Freshman Brittany Ziepfel (Hamilton, Ohio) will also be vying for playing time at second base.

“Erin always gives 100 percent. She brings a lot of strength on the right side. She’ll help the other side of the middle infield which is new this year,” said Pluger. “ Brittany brings a strong bat and arm, plus is an excellent fielder.”

Working the corners for Urbana will be senior Jackie Masur (Cincinnati) at third base and freshmen Maria Hendricks (Urbana, Ohio) and Kayla Nenninger (West Milton, Ohio) battling it out for the starting spot at first base. Masur, who was tagged as a second team all-AMC third baseman in 2007, has started every game during her three-year career at Urbana and owns a .352 career batting average, aided by her team leading .421 last season.

“Jackie is a great kid. If she can continue her success from last season, she will have a great senior year,” said Pluger. “She has a great glove at third, a great arm and bat. She has everything.

“Maria has a great glove,” Pluger added. “She is not afraid to go after anything and goes all out.”

The Blue Knights have a solid corps of outfielders. Sophomore Brittany Heunen (South Vienna, Ohio) will start in left field, while junior Jessica Tuttle (South Vienna, Ohio) will cover center field, and sophomore Danielle Muterspaw (Xenia, Ohio) will handle right field. Freshmen Erin Lein (Toledo, Ohio) and Jamie Williams (Cincinnati) will serve as backups. The outfielders will be coach by Blue Knight three-time all-AMC center fielder Bobbi Jones.

“Brittany is always improving,” said Pluger. “She gives that extra push when the team needs it. Jessica is experienced and has the arm for centerfield. Both bring a great glove and speed to the outfield. They bring leadership.

“Danielle saw some time in the field last season and has improved immensely,” added Pluger. “Her fielding has gotten a lot stronger.”

Urbana has three solid catchers this season who will vie for starting time. Returners Linsey Manning (Fairborn, Ohio) and junior Kendal Schaefer (Fletcher, Ohio) bring a wealth of experience for all of Urbana’s new pitchers. Manning, a sophomore, was named second team all-AMC and was also named to the all-AMC Freshman team. Schaefer has two years of experience and batted over .300 as a sophomore. Freshman Megan Berkheimer (Thornville, Ohio) will also see some time behind the plate.

“Linsey brings a good arm and a great bat,” said Pluger. “She learned a lot after stepping up last year. Being named all-conference gives her more of a confidence boost.

“Kendal has a good arm and is great at blocking,” added Pluger. “Last year her bat really came through for us. She is a good leader and always supporting her teammates.”

Pluger has assembled a solid pitching staff that has more depth than any squad she has had at Urbana. There are five players in Urbana’s rotation. They are coached by Kim Sycks, a four-year standout at Wright State and former professional pitcher. Junior Katie Cramer (West Carrollton, Ohio) is the lone returner for the Blue Knights on the mound.

“We went over goals and one of Katie’s main goals is to keep her ERA down,” said Pluger. “She is working hard and is a huge benefit to the team.”

Cramer is joined by sophomore transfer Jessie Swinderman (Glenford, Ohio) and freshmen Danielle Finley (Milford, Ohio), Ashley Meyer (Cincinnati) and Lasley.

“We have been focusing on pitching and they have been throwing a lot more. Compared to last year, we are already a step ahead,” said Pluger. “It’s nice to have the depth we have this year with our pitchers. The pressure won’t all be on one person’s shoulders.”

Pluger believes the Blue Knights will be a force at the plate this season and improve on their team batting average of .296.

“I think our bats will be a major strength for us,” said Pluger. “We have a lot of kids in the lineup who can step up.”

Urbana opens its season at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla. on March 2 vs. NCAA D-II Bellarmine, Ky. at 11 a.m. The Blue Knights’ home opener is Tuesday, March 11 when they host Indiana Tech in a double header starting at 3 p.m. Their conference opener is a double header on Saturday, March 29 at Mount Vernon Nazarene at 1 p.m.

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