March 5, 2001

With a limited group of players, the 2001 softball team looks to rebound from a disappointing 2000 season. After graduating two top players in third baseman Angie McCall and pitcher Cassie Pittman, the Vikes will have to fill some gaps. McCall's defense helped her earn an All-MCC Second Team nomination as a senior. She was also All-MCC First Team as a junior. McCall moved into second place all-time for assists at CSU. Her career .953 fielding percentage also placed her sixth all-time as a Viking.

Pittman also enjoyed an illustrious career at CSU. Her 315 innings puts her sixth all-time. Pittman is also sixth in wins (19) and third in strikeouts (291).

However, the Vikings will return a lot of power in the lineup this season. Junior Tiffany Stocker should get a lot of opportunities to score runs this season. She led the team with 25 last year. "Stocker's ability to get on base allowed Jackie Miller or Tiffany Nofziger to knock her in," notes Head Coach Julie Jones. And that's exactly what they did. Miller and Nofziger accounted for 28 percent of the RBI total last season. Of those returning for the 2001 season, Miller and Nofziger account for 46 percent of the RBI.

With only 14 players on the roster for this season, the Vikes will not have a lot of options. Nevertheless, Jones seems excited about her team. "We may not have a big roster, but these girls all work extremely well together. They practice hard and have good attitudes," notes Jones. The fifth-year coach is hoping the Vikes make up in hard work what they lack in size.

Despite the key losses CSU still has a lot to look forward to. Center fielder Tiffany Stocker returns for her junior season with the Vikings. Stocker, a starter in her two previous seasons, will help anchor the team. "Not only is she our offensive catalyst, but she's our outfield general. Her speed on the bases and in the field will lead both our offense and defense," admits Jones.

In just two years Stocker has become one of CSU's most prominent players in history. She shattered the record for stolen bases in a season last year, earning 34, breaking the record of 24 she set as a freshman. The 58 career stolen bases also broke Angie Gugov's career record of 57. Stocker finished first in the conference in base swipes after earning second-place last season.

Stocker also broke the record for most at-bats in a season last year. Her total of 190 ended Tenille Whiteside's five-year reign of 163 at-bats. She needs only 238 at-bats in her next two seasons to break Whiteside's career record of 589. However, Stocker isn't all offense. In her two years as a starter in center she has committed just three errors, giving her a career .975 fielding percentage.

Another bright spot for the Vikes is sophomore Stephanie Taylor. Taylor had a solid freshman season and earned a Second Team All-MCC nomination as well as a conference All-Newcomer pick. Taylor, who will split time at catcher and designated hitter, led the Vikings in batting average at .301, slugging percentage (.410) and on-base percentage (.376) last year.

"Stephanie is maturing and coming along nicely," notes Jones. "She can be the number one hitter on this team if she wants to, she has that kind of ability."

The Vikings' other big hitting catcher is senior Tiffany Nofziger. This season Nofziger is expected to see action at first base as well. One of CSU's most patient hitters, Nofziger led the team in walks last season with 17. She also led the team with nine doubles and was second with 16 RBI. Nofziger cracked CSU's all-time list in those two categories, ranking seventh in both at 14 doubles and 39 RBI.

Senior Kimberly Evans will be the anchor of the pitching staff this season. "She'll be our go-to pitcher out there," admits Jones. Even with a rich history of strong pitchers the Vikes have had in the past, Evans will leave CSU as one of the best. Evans will start the season in the top five in most CSU all-time records.

Evans is currently fourth in career innings pitched (360.1), wins (22) and appearances (70). She is also ranked fifth in strikeouts with 178. When she graduates Evans will be in company with CSU pitching legends Amy Kyler, Pam Walton and Amy Johnson.

Seniors Jen Paul and Lisa Horton round out the graduating class for the Vikes. Paul is expected to be back at leftfield and second base after dislocating her ankle late last season. "Jen has made a full recovery from last year, and we'll look for her speed to help move our offense," says Jones.

Horton will likely start at shortstop and may hit second. Horton is a solid bunter and will help move Stocker along the bases.

Along with Stocker, Jackie Miller and Jackie Richards make up CSU's junior class. Miller is coming off a breakout year in which she led the Vikings in RBI with 17. Depending on the pitcher, Miller will play first and third base. "We're going to look for Jackie to provide a lot of offensive power for us," says Jones.

Richards, who has mainly been a pitcher thus far, is coming on strong in the outfield and will see time in left field. She will also look to be a relief pitcher.

The sophomore class should prove to be tough this year. Jessica Miller could be CSU's most all-around player. Miller, who threw the second-most innings last year, can also swing the bat. "We're going to depend on her a lot on the mound, but she will also play third and provide some offense," notes Jones. Miller will most likely be the second starter in doubleheaders.

Lindsay Gervais will serve as the Vikings' best utility player. Gervais threw 38 innings last season and can get the job done at almost any position in the field. One player Jones has been impressed by in the off-season is Emily Dopuch. Dopuch, who saw limited action last year, will look for work in the middle infield. "Emily has improved like no other, she's been working hard and has the best attitude on the team," raves Jones.

The freshman class will be led by Michelle Beightol, who will most likely start in left field. An outstanding athlete, as Jones explains, she can also play shortstop and backup Horton. Holly Fredericks returns after a redshirt year last season. A third baseman, Fredericks will have to pay her dues as Jackie Miller and Jessica Miller vie for time at the hot corner.

The third and final freshman on the team is Heather Hlasko. Hlasko will also have to pay her dues, as the right fielder will play behind Jen Paul. Hlasko does have good foot speed that will help push the offense.

The Vikings will face some stiff competition throughout their schedule this year. They will start out at the Dayton Tournament this first weekend of March. During Spring Break the squad will travel to East Carolina and Ohio State for two tournaments. They will wrap up the end of March at the Buzz Classic. "We like our schedule," notes Jones. "Ohio State is always tough competition and the Buzz will push us as well." The Vikes also get to play top-ranked conference foe Illinois-Chicago at home this year.

However, Coach Jones is not quick to make too many assumptions. "We're ranked sixth in the conference, so there's nowhere to go but up. But I'm not going to go out on a limb this year. If we play at the top of our game, we can win a lot of games. But we can't put pressure on ourselves this season." Jones also added, "I like our team and I'm excited about our staff, it's just a matter of continuing to do things right."