Building takes time.  Whether it is the construction of a new highway, the formation of a new business plan, or the development of a collegiate athletic program, each of these “building projects” are often time-consuming, requiring diligence and careful preparation.  Over the last two seasons, under the direction of head coach Angela Seders, the Malone College softball team has built a solid foundation for future success. 

 

In 2006, Seders’ first year at the helm of the program, the Pioneers posted a solid 17-20 record, finished fourth in the American Mideast Conference South Division standings, and qualified for the playoffs for the first time in three years.  The 2007 season saw a young Malone squad battle through a tough start to the season before rallying down the stretch to win eight out of its last 13 games and narrowly miss out on a postseason berth with a 14-22 overall record and a 4-10 mark in AMC South play.  The valuable experience that the Pioneers gained from these previous two seasons, along with the effort and perseverance that her squad showed at the end of last year are factors that have Seders anticipating continued improvement this spring.  “We’ll be stronger than in years past,” commented Seders.  “We’re still building the program to where we want it to be, but I think we have the talent to be successful in the postseason.”

 

Malone’s team motto is “passion, determination, and faith” and each of these qualities can be found throughout the Pioneer roster as several promising freshmen recruits join a large group of experienced returning players for the upcoming ’08 campaign.  Back to lead the squad this season is senior pitcher Kathryn Bzdafka (Avon Lake H.S.) and senior shortstop Holly Christopher (Garfield H.S.).  Bzdafka earned All-AMC South Second Team and NCCAA All-East Region Honorable Mention accolades after appearing on the mound in 21 of the Pioneers’ 36 contests last season and compiling a 6-9 record with a team-best 3.82 earned run average.  Much like in 2007, Seders will be looking for Bzdafka “to lead on the mound this year.”  Christopher, an “amazing player” who Seders calls the “staple of the infield,” also returns after a strong junior year in which she started all 36 of Malone’s games, recording nine doubles and 17 runs batted in.

 

According to coach Seders, the strengths of this year’s team will likely be speed and offensive production, traits that are provided by all three of the squad’s returning outfield starters. “We have one of the fastest outfields in the conference,” noted Seders.  Senior Ashlee Locker (centerfield; Strasburg H.S.) and sophomores Laura Blackburn (left field; Thomas Worthington H.S.) and Morgan Heacock (right field; Mt. Gilead H.S.) will each look to duplicate their excellent 2007 performances.  Locker garnered NCCAA All-East Region Honorable Mention recognition after recording a .966 fielding percentage with two homers and 12 RBI.  Blackburn and Heacock were each honored as All-AMC South Second Team and NCCAA All-East Region Honorable Mention selections.  Blackburn tallied a .301 batting average as a freshman while posting team highs in hits (34), doubles (10) and stolen bases (nine).  Heacock scored 20 runs, swiped 10 bags, and led the squad with a .326 batting average.

 

Sophomore Leslie McCammon (Wadsworth H.S.) will take over at second base this season and will be joined on the infield by junior third baseman Caitlin Ott (Glendale, AZ) and junior first baseman/pitcher Ashleigh Ralston (Wadsworth H.S.).  McCammon, who was voted All-AMC South Honorable Mention a year ago, batted .324 and set a new Malone record (tied an NAIA single-game record) last season by cranking three home runs in just three plate appearances in the opening game of a home doubleheader against Ohio Valley University on March 26th.  Ott and Ralston were each tabbed NCCAA All-East Region Honorable Mention after both turned in solid 2007 campaigns. 

 

Other returning position players include senior infielders Jenna Vrabel (Ursuline H.S.) and Becki Martin (Lakewood H.S.) and junior catcher Brittany Mast (Kidron Central Christian H.S.), who is currently injured.  Sophomore Jackie Kodrich (West Geauga H.S.) is also back and will be looked upon to pitch after she completes her rehabilitation from shoulder surgery. 

 

Six promising freshmen will also look to make immediate contributions this season including pitcher Jessica Krska (Norton H.S.), catchers Laura Ronk (St. Vincent-St. Mary H.S.) and Karre Thompson (East Canton H.S.), outfielders Elizabeth Sarkissian (Twinsburg H.S.) and Tiffany Barth (Cornerstone Christian Academy), and middle infielder Sarah Kosmos (Northwest H.S.).

 

Like most of Malone’s athletic teams, the Pioneers move from the AMC South Division to the North Division this year and will face new conference opponents Carlow (PA) University, Point Park (PA) University, Ursuline College, and Notre Dame (OH) College.  In addition to a pair of doubleheaders with each of these challenging AMC North opponents, Malone’s schedule also includes match-ups with NCAA Division II foes Ashland University and West Virginia Tech.