Softball Improves Considerably to Start Its Third Varsity Season

The Columbia softball team finished the 2001 season with a 26-25 record and earned an invitation to the 2001 Eastern College Athletic Conference Softball Championship after winning six straight and eight of its last nine regular season games. In doing so, the Lions doubled their win total from their inaugural season as a varsity program in 2000.

While the Lions met and exceeded the expectations of their most ambitious supporters last season, the Columbia players and coaches expect to improve considerably yet again in 2002.

"While we recognize that outcomes are not entirely within our control, as a team we have set our sights on a 30-win season," Head Coach Christine Vogt said. "It is not unrealistic for this team to vie for an Ivy title."

The cause for such excitement is the return of almost all of last year's starters and the addition of four talented newcomers. Most importantly, the Lions get back all three pitchers from their starting rotation, junior co-captain Allison Buehler, senior co-captain Katie Zunno, and sophomore Laura Grant.

Buehler made second team All-Ivy League and second team Regional All-American in her sophomore season after finishing at 16-8 with an 0.78 earned run average. Buehler also struck out 181 in 170 innings.

Zunno, a hard thrower and consistent performer, went 8-10 with a 2.89 ERA and 96 strikeouts.

Grant is the lone question mark in the rotation. During her first season, she struggled at times en route to a 2-7 record and 2.23 ERA. If she can become more consistent in her second season, Grant's upside is tremendous, as evidenced by her performance against Bucknell last season, when she tossed the program's first-ever perfect game.

"Last year pitching was our strength, but this year our offense is much improved," Zunno said. "We really have everything now. We don't really have a weakness."

The offensive hopes are tied to the return of senior co-captain Nikki Campbell and junior co-captain April Jarvis and the addition of junior transfer Courtney Ryan, a transfer from University of Texas at Austin. Campbell hit .308 for the Lions in 2001, while Jarvis hit .316.

"Courtney has great leadership and experience behind the plate. She is a power hitter and will make an impact for us immediately," Vogt said.

The team expects that the all-around improved hitting will be enough to replace the loss of Anne-Marie Ebner and Danielle Capece, who graduated last May. Despite the envisioned offensive prowess, the team could still feel the loss of Ebner, a power-hitter who tore up the league with her impressive .355 batting average, three home runs, 12 doubles, 22 RBIs, and .518 slugging percentage last season.

But all of these expectations and high hopes will be put to the test this weekend, as the Lions open their season against stiff competition in Columbia, Miss.

"The tournament this weekend will give us the opportunity to face some tough competition," Vogt said. "Every team we will face in Missouri has already played at least 15 games, so we will be challenged from the moment we step on the field."