Softball Preview, Part 3: Youngstown State
Feb. 1, 2008
The 2008 Youngstown State softball team has one goal in mind - reclaim the Horizon League softball title it won in 2006. With 14 letterwinners, eight starters and six seniors returning from the 2007 squad, the Penguins have the necessary experience to make a run for the league crown.
The entire infield from 2007 returns this season with the addition of a couple of talented newcomers. Senior McKenzie Bedra, who became YSU's all-time home run leader with 23, headlines this group.
Bedra, a First-Team All-Horizon League selection in 2007, batted .416 and belted nine home runs returns at the hot corner.
The 2006 Horizon League Tournament Most Valuable Player, Bedra became the first player since 1983 to bat above .400 and her .416 batting average is the third highest single-season average in school history. She also set the single-season record for highest slugging percentage at .796 and is currently the school-record holder for highest career slugging percentage at .602 Freshman Kim Klonowski, an all-state selection, may also see time at third base.
The middle infield consists of a talented trio of junior Allyse Ledford, sophomore Autumn Grove and freshman Rochelle Vanyi. Grove, an all-newcomer team pick last season after batting .336 with six home runs, and Ledford split time between shortstop and second base last season. Vanyi, who turned in an impressive fall campaign, could also see action at either position. Senior Kelli Sheibley will also be vying for time at second base. Last season, Sheibley hit .324 in 13 games.
Senior Becky Hibner, who batted .313 last season, has been a staple at first base for the Penguins over the last three seasons. During her career, Hibner has played 136 games at first base and has appeared in 108 consecutive games.
Behind the plated for the third season is junior Kristen McDonnell. McDonnell, who has 16 career home runs, blasted six round-trippers in 2007.
The Penguins lost two corner outfielders with the graduation of Lacy Bronson and Megan Bricker but have filled the holes with the additions of Kent State transfer Kristen Bair and newcomer Katy Potokar. Senior Jamie Fornal, who spent much of 2007 as the designated player, may return to right field and classmate Shauna Barry is poised to be inserted into one of the corner slots.
Senior Bethany Hafley returns for her fourth season roaming center field and Potokar could see some time as captain of the outfield.
The largest hole to fill for the Penguins will be in the circle. The Penguins lost Karlie Burnell, who posted 27 victories in her last two years, to graduation. Trying to fill that role will be sophomores Danielle Chase, who picked up three wins in 2007, Cheryl Cale and Erin Schindler, and junior Tasha Hess. Cale and Hess each recorded one victory last season.
The Penguins open the 2008 campaign against St. Mary's (Calif.) on Feb. 28.
--Story provided by the Youngstown State office of sports information
