2012 Softball Preview
The SUNY Geneseo women's softball team begins the 2012 season coming off a 19-19 campaign under 11th year head coach Tony Ciccarello (Brockport '79). The Knights graduated a few key players from a season ago, including ace Janine Montera, who won 13 games with a 2.15 ERA and 134 strikeouts, and Megan Pogemiller who batted .340 with a team-high 5 homeruns. Nonetheless Geneseo does return a solid core, with strong defense and a cyclical lineup remaining focal points, especially entering the season with a largely untested rotation.
After missing almost all of last season due to injury, junior Mary Bostwick (Depew/Oakfield-Alabama) returns to take the ball for the Knights, alongside junior Katie Gallagher Gansevoort/Schuylerville). Junior Alexa Salzman (East Meadow) and first years Nicole Zimmerman (Canandaigua) and Katie Muller (Manlius/Fayetteville-Manlius) could also get some time in the circle in relief roles. The Knights don't have anyone on the roster that won more than three games in 2011 but hope that Bostwick sets the tone for the inexperienced rotation and returns to a form that won her 12 games with a 2.71 ERA back in 2010.
In the infield, senior KK Schaus (Williamsville/South) anchors the group at shortstop, coming off a season in which she led the team with a .409 average and .486 on-base percentage with 38 hits, 15 RBI, and three homeruns. First year Jenna Reilley (Williamsville/East) may see playing time at shortstop, with sophomore Elise Porreca (Lancaster) acting as a utility infielder. Junior Jessica Steubing (Fairport) returns to third base while first year Lauren Eggleston (Binghamton/Chenango Valley) will provide extra depth at the hot corner. Junior Jane LePage (Youngstown/Lewiston-Porter) will start at second base after hitting .311 with 12 RBI a year ago, with sophomore Kayleigh Troia (Phoenix/John C. Birdlebough) and Muller as the reserves.
After a breakout first year campaign in which she hit .351 with three long balls, sophomore Sam Trapasso (Garden City) will split time between first base and catcher with junior Stefanie Rosenberg (East Northport/Commack) and senior Molly Walsh (Lancaster/Mt. St. Mary) getting the other half of the load at first and backstop, respectively. First year Jami Cohen (East Amherst/Williamsville East) could also spend time at catcher as well as versatile first year Ashley Fillmore (Getzville/Williamsville North), who could also see time in the outfield.
First year Kayleigh Blersch (Lancaster) will jump right in and start in centerfield for the Knights with junior Lexi Williams (Waterford/Shenendehowa) shifting over to right field and senior Kelsey Ogden (Latham/Shaker) starting in left field and leading off. First year Abby Weiss (Hamburg) will vie for time in the outfield with the ability to play all three positions.
The Knights open their season with 10 games on their spring trip to Clermont, Florida and have their home opener on Wednesday, March 28 versus D'Youville.