Scots Set to Solidify Themselves as NCAC Contenders

The College of Wooster has the pieces in place to improve on its breakout 2012 season, which saw the Fighting Scots win a program record 25 games and make the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament for the first time in seven years, as top pitchers Jenn Horton and Gina Pirolozzi are back, to go with all-region outfielder Demi Hart, and a solid lineup that mixes youth and experience.

"Getting to the conference tournament is our goal every year," admitted 14th-year head coach Lori Schimmel. "But to finally get back there was a testament to the players and their drive to obtain that goal and stick with it. Not to mention, we have the most mature pitching staff in the conference, and that worked to our advantage last year. They stepped up their game and kept us alive. If you look at our offensive stats, they say we shouldn't have been in second-place, but we found ways to win through the pitchers being consistent."

Horton capped off her junior year by allowing just three earned runs in two starts against tough competition during the NCAC Tournament, and overall, Wooster's ace went 14-8 with a 1.87 ERA and 90 strikeouts over 138.2 innings en route to second-team all-conference honors.

Pirolozzi provides a strong compliment to Horton, as the hard-throwing righty ranked fourth in the conference last year with 103 strikeouts, along with an 11-6 record and 3.06 ERA in 121.1 innings of work.

Both pitchers provide power at the plate as well, where Horton hit .303 with 20 RBI and three home runs last year, and Pirolozzi knocked in 13 runs and hit two long balls 

In addition, there are a couple other pitching options on the roster, including senior Allie Webb, who has tossed 66.1 innings during her career, mostly in relief, as well as newcomer Jenna Hunkins, a prospect Schimmel wants to develop for the future.

Offensively, the Scots got a huge boost from Hart last season, who became the first player in program history to be named National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Central Region (third-team), and according to Schimmel, Hart's best is still yet to come.

"Demi told me last summer that she was going to be an all-region player, and she went out there and did it," said Schimmel. "She had an awesome statistical year as a freshman, but she knows she can do better. More importantly, she's not satisfied with what the team accomplished last year. She wants to win. I think she's one of the best hitters this program has seen, and she has the ability to be great. 

Hart produced one of the Scots' best-ever offensive campaigns, with a single-season record .445 batting average, 19 RBI and 22 runs scored, on her way to NCAC Newcomer-of-the-Year honors and a first-team all-conference certificate. She will be back at the No. 3 spot in the order and is expected to compete for the vacant centerfield position.

The Scots will look to their other veteran bats to protect Hart in the lineup, specifically Erica Villa, Carly Schoenstein, Paige Goldberg, and Skye Patterson, who are capable of contributing a great deal offensively. Villa, a senior right fielder, has been a starter since day one, and has twice been selected to the all-conference team. A career .310 hitter, Villa has excelled batting near the top of the order, where her ability to get on base and her speed make her a key run producer.

Schoenstein played third base during her debut season with the Scots, but she was a shortstop throughout high school, and will be competing to fill that void left by all-conference honoree Lauren Swinehart this year. She'll also look to keep up her power numbers at the plate, which included nine doubles and 16 RBI. Goldberg was a rookie starter at catcher last year, and led the team in stolen bases (13) and runs scored (28). Patterson, also a sophomore, had a strong year defensively at second base, and will look to build on her .261 batting average and seven stole bases.

Several others will be vying to see regular action, including junior Aundrea Atwell, who has started 29 games over the past two years, mostly at third base, and has the ability to contribute at a number of positions as the team top-returning utility player. Also in the mix will be newcomers Kasey Fiedler, Marissa Gorvet, Taylor Raybuck, and Kristyn Swanson.

"Now that our players know what it's like to have a nice season, we want more this year," summed up Schimmel. "We've had successful seasons in the past, and then we haven't been able to follow them up. We need consistency. We want to do well two years in a row. This team wants to be the first to win a conference championship at Wooster. Those are motivators for us. And with what I've seen out of these players in the weight room this offseason, and in practice, I think they are physically and mentally up for the challenge."