Newcomers in Pitching Staff the Unknown for Softball Season

Columbia softball is seeking consistency in 2007. After starting out last season with a strong non-conference record, the Lions struggled in Ivy League play, and they realize that strong senior leadership mixed with young talent can lead to success this year.

"We are definitely a little more seasoned this year mentally," head coach Kayla Noonan said. "This season, we are looking at the year as more of a continuum, and not necessarily split it into two sections, because it was pretty evident that we played that way last season. We just have to make sure that when we roll into the Ivy season, nothing changes for us."

The Lions' biggest strength coming into 2007 will be their speed. Whether it is on defense or on the base paths, Columbia will be able to rely on their quickness to prevent errors in the field and manufacture runs.

Senior tri-captains Kacy Krisman, Kim Krisman and Lacie Nelson will anchor the team with their experience both in the field and in the batter's box. While all three are expected to make large contributions on the field, their off-the-field attitude will be just as vital to the success of the team.

"We have three tremendous leaders not just on the field, but also in off-the-field preparation for contests," Noonan added. "That attitude transfers over to the rest of the team, because if you know that your captains are working that hard, you better be working hard as well. They have very high expectations, and I expect great things from them."

When it comes to key role players this season, none will be bigger than junior Ciji Rich and sophomores Keli Leong and Valerie Smith. Last season, Smith and Leong led the Lions in batting average, hits, total bases, and slugging percentage. It is Rich, however, who could be one of the biggest surprises of 2007.

"Someone who has really produced for us the past two seasons, but has gone about it in a very quiet way is Ciji," Noonan said. "Her bat has just looked fantastic preseason-she has put a lot into her offseason workouts. She's quicker, faster, and stronger, and I expect this to be a breakout year for her."

The largest unknown heading into this season will be the play of Columbia's freshmen. Like every freshman class, the new players will attempt to fill in the holes left by the graduating seniors from the year prior. The Lions have big gaps to fill in their pitching rotation with the graduation of Maiya Chard-Yaron and Jackie Adelfio and have made strides to solve that issue with four pitchers in the team's seven freshmen.

"Right away you are going to see high-impact players in our freshmen pitchers," Noonan added. "We didn't play fall ball this season, so we are fairly untested. The majority of our pitching staff is freshmen, so it will be important for them to come out of the chute well starting Friday night."

Columbia will continue to rely on a small-ball mentality to manufacture runs this season. Although some Lions do have power potential, Columbia's speed on the base paths makes stringing singles to score runs a better option.

Should the Lions maintain strong mental focus between the non-conference and Ivy seasons, the 2007 campaign could be a memorable one.