Softball Preview, Part 8: UIC
Feb. 18, 2007
The UIC softball team's mission in 2007 is simple, win its eighth Horizon League Tournament Championship and make its tenth NCAA postseason appearance. Although the 2006 season was successful with another conference regular season title under their belt, the Flames left unfinished business on the diamond after falling in the tournament championship.
With experience from eight veterans and five talented newcomers added to the mix, the coaching staff has high expectations for the team this season.
"This team has the ability to clinch the Horizon League regular season title and tournament championship," said co-head coach Tom Gray. "We expect this group of players to be extremely competitive every time they step onto the field."
As far as competition is concerned, UIC isn't easing into the season as they face 13 NCAA Regional teams, including 2006 Women's College World Series participants Arizona State and Tennessee in the first five weeks of play.
Before Horizon League action kicks off in April, the Flames will have played in five tournaments from coast to coast.
Six starters and two key players return for UIC, including 2006 Horizon League Newcomer of the Year Sarah Clynes. The pitcher not only led the Flames with a 16-6 record in the circle, but she also enters the season with the highest batting average (.304) from last year's squad.
UIC's unity this season is unlike anything the coaching staff has had the pleasure to work with and feel that this will be a key component in the team's success this season.
"We couldn't be happier with the team dynamic this season," said Gray. "The players have worked harder than any other team we have seen and the fight for a starting position has drawn them closer together."
Picked to finish first in the 2007 Horizon League Preseason Poll, the Flames are ready for mission possible.
UIC returns just one starting pitcher from 2006, but Sarah Clynes has the ability to carry a team on her shoulders in the circle. In addition to being named conference newcomer of the year, the sophomore also received second team and All-Newcomer team accolades for her pitching and offensive performance as a freshman.
Clynes notched two no-hitters last season, most recently in the conference tournament against Cleveland State on May 13. After tossing her first no-hitter on April 8 versus Detroit, Clynes became the tenth player in school history to reach the plateau. The pitcher was 3-1 in the circle and tallied six hits, five runs, three RBI, two home runs and owned a .305 batting average in the League tournament.
"Clynes is the cog in the wheel," said Gray. "She is a hard-nosed competitor and will get the ball in all the clutch situations early in the year."
Freshman Chelsea Fuemmeler, a native from Salisbury, Mo., is expected to make an immediate impact for the Flames in the circle. With the assistance of pitchingcoach Alison Aguilar, Fuemmeler should mature into a top-level pitcher that will see quality innings.
"Chelsea needs time to reach her potential," Gray explained. "But with help from former UIC All-Region hurler Aguilar, she will be an important element in our pitching rotation."
Because the Flames are thin in the pitching department this season, junior Lauren Brennan has stepped up to the challenge and returned to the circle after a year off.
Not having pitched since her freshman year, Brennan has put forth an amazing effort in the preseason to get back into the swing of things.
"Lauren has vastly improved, maybe the most improved player on the team," said Gray. "She is throwing the ball hard, hitting her spots and put forth the effort to make herself and quality pitcher."
Senior Liz Jacoby, junior Nikki Rogers and freshman Stephanie Chavez will all contribute behind home plate this season.
After a slow start in 2006 due to shoulder surgery in the fall, Jacoby gained momentum throughout the season to start in 19 of the Flames' last 22 contests as the designated player or catcher.
Jacoby was acknowledged for her comeback with conference all-tournament team honors after batting .411 with six RBI in four games.
In 2006, Rogers started as the Flames' primary catcher in 47 of 49 games, totaling 275 putouts.
The corners return for the Flames, along with a much improved junior Mallory Studzinki. Studzinki and returning third baseman Brennan are battling for the starting position, but each have the capability to play at first base as well.
2006 All-Newcomer team recipient Melissa Marinacci is penciled in to start at first base for the second consecutive season.
"Mallory is hitting the ball extremely well in preseason and has improved her defensive game immensely," said Gray.
Despite setting aside time to work out the kinks in the circle, Brennan pitching practice has not hindered her defensive game at third base.
"We foresee her to break out offensively this year and really hit the ball," explained Gray.
The coaches expect Marinacci to be a strong offensive contributor in 2007. Showing sparks of what she is capable last season, the staff will look for her to be more consistent in the lineup.
The Flames are loaded with possibilities at shortstop and second base this season with experienced veterans and three newcomers who are talented enough to win the starting job.
With the loss of four-time All-Horizon League shortstop Joyce Cathey, junior Nicole Robinson is expected to slide over to short.
Last season's starting second baseman, Robinson is a solid defensive player who ranked third on the squad with a .973 fielding percentage.
"Nicole is a solid player without being flashy," said Gray. "She has always been successful with good technique and determination and we expect her to be a concrete shortstop for us this season."
Not only did Robinson provide for UIC defensively, but the junior also led the Flames and ranked second in the conference with 38 RBI.
Also contending for time at short and second base is Nikki Rogers.
"Rogers is flashier than Robinson, but is extremely good and will probably see time at both shortstop and second base," explained Gray.
When not catching, Chavez will be battling for a starting spot at second base, in addition to fellow newcomer Brooke Frydendall.
"Stephanie is solid and smooth like Robinson," said Gray. "We expect her to become a better offensive weapon as the season progresses."
Despite suffering from few minor injuries in preseason, the coaching staff expects great things from Frydendall.
"Brooke is already a rock-solid defensive player and has the potential to be an outstanding offensive threat," said Gray.
Rounding out the battle at second base is freshman Nicole Rotolo.
"Nicole pushes everyone on the field," Gray explained. "She will see some spot time early in the season as we watch her develop."
Following the graduation of centerfielder Nikki Shepard last season, the Flames had a replacement already in the works.
Junior College transfer Ashlee Ackerman made quit a splash in her two-year stint at Arizona Western Community College with 2006 all-region accolades and 47 record breaking stolen bases as a freshman.
"Ashlee is a concrete player who is capable of making fabulous plays," said Gray. "She is a textbook centerfielder with the capability to run the ball down, and has a strong accurate arm."
Three veterans will vie for a spot in right and left field this season. Seniors Becky Moran and Liz Jacoby and junior Brittany Dixon will be splitting time in the outfield.
Starting in left field for the Flames in 55 games last season, Dixon improved her arm and bat in the preseason.
Taking over right field in the final 13 contests in 2006, Moran has continued to develop her overall game.
"Becky is in much better physical shape," said Gray. "She is tracking the ball better and is more consistent on an offensive standpoint."
When not catching, Jacoby will put in time in the outfield because she is an offensive weapon and the coaches believe that it is essential to keep her in the lineup.
"Liz has a very strong arm and will do great in the outfield," said Gray. "It will really come down to hitting and that will determine who starts."
UIC collides with 13 teams from the last season's NCAA postseason, including Women's College World Series participants Arizona State and Tennessee. UIC will play in a minimum of 55 games, 15 designated as home contests at Flames Field.
UIC opens the 2007 season with five consecutive tournaments around the United States with the first located in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Alexis Resort Kickoff, Feb. 9-11, hosted by UNLV.
"Although not as strong as past years, the Las Vegas Tournament participants are all expected to do well in their respective conferences," said Gray.
The Flames then head to California for a tough draw in the Palm Springs Classic, Feb. 23-25. UIC is set to battle 2006 World Series Champion Arizona State, Brigham Young, Nevada-Reno, Cal State Fullerton and Cal Poly in three days.
"Every one of the games at Palm Springs is going to be a dogfight," Gray explained. "I expect us to play very well."
The Flames then travel south for the UTC Frost Tournament (March 2-4) hosted by Tennessee-Chattanooga. UIC tangles with three Tennessee area schools and Austin Peay in the three-day event.
Clearwater, Fla. is the next stop for the Flames, March 8-11. At the Adidas Tournament hosted by South Florida, UIC faces off against NCAA postseason participants Indiana, UMass, Tennessee Tech and Georgia Tech.
"Tampa is loaded with teams that will be vying for spots in the NCAA postseason tournament," said Gray. "This event will be another good test for the team this season."
The Flames take a break from tournament action for a matchup against Illinois in Champaign on March 31. This game marks the first time in school history that the sister schools will play each other in regular season action.
UIC wraps up tournament play in Bloomington, Ind. at the Indiana University Classic at the end of March. The Flames challenge Big Ten Indiana for the second time in 2007, while also playing Eastern Michigan and Buffalo.
UIC jumps into Horizon League action against Youngstown State on March 31-April 1 in a three-game series. The Flames will break up conference play this season with games against Big Ten Wisconsin and Big East DePaul and Notre Dame in the month of April.
