2006 Softball Preview Part 7 - UW-Green Bay Phoenix

Feb. 9, 2006

Following on the heels of a season in which little was expected and much was accomplished, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay softball team takes to the diamond for the 2006 season full of confidence and prepared to build on the previous year's success.

After being picked to finish dead last in the Horizon League a year ago, the Phoenix placed second in the League regular season standings, won the conference tournament, and advanced to its first NCAA Regional in school history where it posted an upset win over sixth-ranked and Pac-10 champion Oregon State.

Head coach Jean Rivett engineered the Phoenix's remarkable run last season, turning around a program that went from an 8-29 record in 2004 to a 27-18 mark a year ago. This year's squad must replace six seniors from the 2005 Cinderella team, but plenty of experience still remains.

"We still have six seniors this year," said Rivett who is in the second year of her second stint as UW-Green Bay's head coach. "But more importantly, we have even more players remaining who experienced our remarkable 2005 season. This team believes, now more than ever, that it can do anything it sets its mind to. They are determined to make people realize that last year wasn't a fluke. They believe that UW-Green Bay really is a team to be reckoned with, that they are champions in every sense of the word. The older players exude that winning attitude, that `we can do anything and we will' energy."

Pitchers and Catchers

The pitching staff proved to be the team's strength a year ago, posting a League-best 2.14 ERA. However, the Phoenix must replace a pair of graduated seniors in Stephanie Hansen and Kristin Kosobucki. Hansen posted a 9-6 record and a 1.82 ERA, including the 1-0 shutout win over Oregon State in the NCAA tournament. Kosobucki went 9-5 in 2005 with a 2.16 ERA. UW-Green Bay does have a solid holdover in senior Lisa Meissner. A power pitcher, Meissner went 9-7 with a 2.16 ERA last year and posted team-bests of 128 strikeouts and 113.2 innings pitched.

"Lisa is a workhorse in the circle who has emerged as a dominating force," said Rivett. "Her repertoire of pitches dance around the plate, keeping the batter guessing with every toss. But it's her authoritative fastball that really helped her perform so well in guiding us to the Horizon League tournament title. She returns as not only a leader on the mound, but also as a team co-captain."

UWGB will need a pair of true freshmen to step in right away and help out Meissner. Left-hander Amanda Margelofsky helped guide her Oakfield High School team to a Wisconsin Division 4 state runner-up finish as a junior and a was second-team all-state selection as a senior. Sun Prairie, Wis., native Danielle Burgenske will also be counted on to see time inside the pitcher's circle.

Behind the plate, the Phoenix returns a solid backstop in senior Kate Sullivan. A second-team all-Horizon League selection a year ago, she returns as a co-captain for 2006.

"Kate is a confident competitor who leads by example and thrives in pressure situations," said Rivett. "Her knowledge and experience not only allows her to call fantastic games behind the plate, but also be the guiding force on defense. She also wields a solid bat and is a consistent hitter who more than once has won the game with one of her hits."

Junior Andrea Kurzynske is also expected to catch after making 16 starts at the position a year ago. Sophomore Dana Brockman could also time behind the plate if needed.

Infield

UW-Green Bay returns both members of the left side of its infield from a year ago, but must replace a pair of departed seniors on the right side.

At shortstop, senior Ali Rostkowski is one of the top returners in the Horizon League. She earned second-team all-conference honors as a junior after leading the team with a .313 batting average, 21 runs scored, four triples, 36 hits and 13 walks.

"Ali is an outstanding fielder with one of the strongest arms on the team, excellent range and quick hands," Rivett said. "She is talented and dangerous hitter who will be looking to solidify her position in the record books. She can hit not only the long ball, but also find the gaps. Her speed on the bases only adds to her all-around offensive threat."

Fellow senior Katie Groshek returns at third base for the Phoenix after starting 36 games and batting .266 last year. She was also outstanding defensively, committing just one error all season at the hot corner. Freshman Mollie Kaebisch will push for playing time after earning first-team Wisconsin all-state honors last year as a prep senior.

The second base position is up for grabs as UWGB must replace the graduated Michelle Kaminski who started all 45 games there in 2005 and led the team with 23 RBI. Sophomore Jenna Woepse and junior Niki Pucci are the two frontrunners to earn time at the position. Woepse appeared in 22 games last season and led the team with five stolen bases. Pucci saw time in 18 games and made 11 starts, mostly at third base where she could also see time. Woepse could also backup Rostkowski at shortstop.

First base has been vacated by the graduated Lynsy Erickson. Pucci and sophomore Vanessa Lefan, who saw limited action in 10 contests last season, are expected to battle for the starting job.

Outfield

One position where the Phoenix returns a great deal of experience is in the outfield where all three starters return from last season. The solid trio of seniors Anna Nieznanski and Rebekah Oestreich and junior Jenny Rehfeldt are all back from left to right, respectively.

The left-handed hitting Oestreich is coming off a productive junior season that saw her bat leadoff for a good portion of the year and finish with a .288 batting average and a team-best 14-game hitting streak at one point.

"Becky provides incomparable leadership in the outfield as the starting center fielder," said Rivett. "Her throw is sharp, powerful and on target. She is a catalyst in the leadoff spot and is unpredictable at the plate, shooting a power bunt past a charging infielder, or screaming a line shot into one of the gaps."

Rehfeldt was one of just two Phoenix players to start all 45 games last season and is poised to reclaim her spot in right field. Nieznanski appeared in 35 contests in 2005, including 32 starts. Brockman, who make 14 starts and 32 appearances overall a year ago, will also battle for playing time as will freshmen Amanda Miller and Cindy VanDeLoo.

Click here for more on UW-Green Bay softball.

Story provided by Nick Brilowski, UW-Green Bay Sports Information Director.