The Bluffton University Softball team will step back onto the diamond and bounce back from a slow season last year. With the loss of seven seniors, the team also looks to fill the void left by graduation last year.
In her first year as head coach, Amanda DeMoine finished last season with a 9-24 record overall and a 4-12 record in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC). The softball team will open its season Sunday March 3, in Plant City, Fla. for The Sunkissed Games.
This season, DeMoine said she will look some of her younger players to step into leadership roles.
“Our group of returning players are eager to prove themselves. Everyone worked hard in the off-season, some even worked at different positions, and are ready to step up their game this season,” said DeMoine. “This eagerness I believe will be our strength, they know this is their opportunity to step up to the plate.”
DeMoine also said her team could be a big surprise in the league this year as well.
“I believe that we have the opportunity to surprise people as the underdogs,” said DeMoine. “We were picked to finish last in the conference, and after a sub-par finish last year–and graduating seven talented seniors – I understand their thoughts. But we are not the team we were last year, and hopefully will shock a few teams with our transformation on the field this year.”
Junior Courtney Jasinski (Englewood, Ohio / Northmont), an outfielder for the Beavers, hit .310 at the plate last season and added 35 hits on the year. Along with Jasinski, seniors Casey Clark (Lima, Ohio / Central Catholic) and Kelsey Reeder (Galion, Ohio / Northmor) look to continue their Bluffton careers and go out on top.
Reeder, a speedy second baseman for the Beavers, batted .223 at the plate last season and also tied the team high in sacrifice bunts with eight. Clark, who did not see much playing time last year, looks to have a breakout season in her final year as a Beaver. Clark batted .190 on the season and also contributed to the team with a stolen base.
DeMoine will also have the opportunity to mix the returning players on her squad with her three new members–incoming freshmen Molly Bollinger (Lima, Ohio / Shawnee) and Tabatha Koetter (Beavercreek, Ohio / Beavercreek), and sophomore Beth Montgomery (Greenfield, Ohio / McClain).
Their first game back in Ohio – and the team’s home opener–will take place on Friday, March 15, in a double header with Kalamazoo (Mich.) College. League action for the team is set to begin on Saturday, March 30, when they take on Rose-Hulman in a double header.
