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Wooster senior Paige Goldberg caught for four first-year |
The College of Wooster has a return to the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament in its sights, as seniors Paige Goldberg, Demi Hart, Skye Patterson, and Carly Schoenstein look to make a postseason run – like they did as freshmen – along with a deep and experienced Fighting Scots' roster that 16th-year head coach Lori Schimmel believes is the most talented she's had during her tenure.
"This is one of the best senior classes we've seen here," admits Schimmel. "They (seniors) have been starters for us since day one, and they helped us get to the tournament as freshmen. Now they want to get back to the postseason and go out on top. Plus, we've been playing some younger players (sophomores, juniors) these last couple years that have gotten experience under their belts, so there's a lot to be excited about with this team."
Goldberg, Hart, Patterson, and Schoenstein are all impact hitters in Wooster's lineup, but as an added bonus, they provide rock-solid defense up the middle, as they occupy the catcher, center field, second base, and shortstop positions, respectively.
There aren't too many players in Scots' history with statistics as impressive as Goldberg and Hart, who each have totaled exactly 122 hits over the last three years, just nine away from the program's all-time career hits record (131). Goldberg, a speedy leadoff hitter, had her best season a year ago, with a career-high .346 batting average, which included a team-leading 46 hits and 22 runs scored. Hart, a two-time all-region pick, had a down year by her high standards in 2014, but still recorded 12 extra-base hits, including a career-high three home runs, with 16 runs and 13 RBI.
Patterson earned her first-ever all-conference selection (honorable mention) during a junior year that saw her set career-highs in batting average (.282) and runs scored (16), while Schoenstein continued to provide power in the middle of the order, with a .308 average, 20 RBI, and 20 runs.
While the seniors look to end their careers on a high note, the sophomore class hopes to build off its promising start, as record-breaking slugger Georgia Hill headlines a group of six exciting up-and-comers.
Hill burst onto the scene with one of the greatest offensive performances in program history, as she led the NCAC with a .689 slugging percentage, highlighted by a Wooster record six home runs. She also ranked among the league's best in batting average (.379), RBI (29), and doubles (10), while playing as both a first baseman and pitcher during her collegiate debut. Hill will see time at both positions again this year, likely pitching even more, after she recorded a 2.77 ERA over 35.1 innings near the end of last season.
Other sophomores include outfielder Linea Brouse (.305) and third baseman Stephenie Little (.303), who both hit over .300 and added 10 RBI as regular starters. Jenna Kendall was an asset as both a hitter and pitcher, as she totaled 12 RBI and 13 runs at the plate, usually as a designated player (DP), and also tossed a team-low 2.47 ERA over 17.0 innings in the circle.
Kendall, like Hill, is expected to contribute more as a pitcher this season, joining classmates Kate Edgehouse and Rylee Bouillion, who handled the majority of the pitching duties a year ago. Edgehouse was the workhorse, as she paced the Scots with 19 starts and 100.1 innings, resulting in a solid 3.70 ERA and 57 strikeouts, along with a 5-11 record. Bouillion was the team's go-to reliever, as she worked 64.0 innings over 22 games, totaling a 3.72 ERA and 4-4 record. The pitching staff will also feature newcomer Maddy Chase, whom Schimmel believes has what it takes to earn a starting role.
In addition to the seniors and sophomores, there are five juniors on the roster as well, including last year's starting left fielder Taylor Raybuck. Adding even more competition at a deep position are outfielders Kristyn Swanson and Fatima Rodriguez, while starting-caliber talent Kasey Fiedler and Marissa Gorvet continue to push for more time at first base and shortstop, respectively.
Rounding out the returners is yet another senior, Julia Williams, who transferred in as a junior from rival Wittenberg University. Williams, who was an asset on the base paths last season (7 runs, 2 SB), is returning from Tommy John Surgery and will vie for playing time in the outfield or at third base this year.
With six newcomers dotting the roster as well, Schimmel expects plenty of competition within the team and possibly a few surprises.
"I think we're going to try out a lot of different things in Florida this year," said Schimmel. "We have players knocking on the door at several positions, and there is going to be some battles going on. This is a really deep team, but that's always a good problem to have."