Freshmen Lead Softball into the Ivy Season

Through the first 22 games of the season, Columbia’s softball team has posted a 9-13 record. Its nonconference schedule thus far has featured road trips to Alabama, Maryland, and a 14-game marathon in Kissimmee, Fla. over spring break. As the team prepares to head into its Ivy League opener this weekend, the freshmen players will hope to continue to build off the valuable experience they have gained thus far in the season.

Starting off the year, the Lions were looking for players to step up and fill the void created by the loss of outfielders Amy Cass, Lacie Nelson, Kim and Lacey Krisman, and the departure of catcher Valerie Smith on offense.

Infielder Karen Tulig has helped provide the Lions with a legitimate power threat in their lineup, leading the team with a .482 slugging percentage heading into this weekend. The freshman’s two home runs and 11 RBI’s are also team-highs. Her versatility at third base and as a catcher has helped make up for the loss of Smith.

The pitching staff was in need of a boost, as the team’s two starters were overworked last season. Amanda Snyder, who led the team last year with a 2.32 ERA before her season-ending injury, is still not ready to take the mound. Aimee Kemp has struggled thus far to regain the form that won her 16 games last season, starting the year 3-7.
However, freshman Maggie Johnson’s stellar play has helped to solidify the team’s pitching staff. The right-hander from Danville, Calif. leads the team in wins (6), appearances (12), innings (66.2), strikeouts (45), and is tied with Aimee Kemp with a team-high nine starts. Johnson’s ERA stands at an impressive 2.10, and she has held batters to a .270 average thus far.

Erica Clauss has played well in her four relief appearances thus far in the season. She has allowed two runs in her first nine innings and pitched for a 1.56 ERA.

Defensively, utility infielder Stephanie Yagi has a perfect fielding percentage through her first 12 games. Anne Marie Skylis has assumed the majority of the team’s catching duties, starting 21 games behind the plate.

For the Lions to improve upon last year’s 22-26 finish and compete for an conference title, they will need the contributions from their freshmen to continue. The team will get their first look at Ivy League competition in a doubleheader this Saturday against the Brown Bears.