2004 ECU Softball Outlook
February 06, 2004 | Softball
"This year we're asking these kids to prove that we belong in Conference USA and that we can compete on an everyday basis," said eighth-year head coach Tracey Kee. "We expect to get to the conference tournament in Louisville and know we have to move up at least one spot to do that."
With the return of 10 letterwinners, which includes four seniors, three juniors and three sophomores, ECU is a year more mature and a year more experienced. Add to that tally three junior college transfers and a talented trio of freshmen, the Pirates have the tools to climb the standings ladder.
"This is a unique group," stated Kee. "They are a highly motivated group that works extremely hard. I think it's a group that really wants to excel."
Coach Kee knows that if her team is to advance to the league's postseason tournament, it must swing the bats a lot better in 2004. After hitting just .227 as a team last season, ECU spent the fall diligently trying to improve its offensive approach.
"We're going to have execute offensively. Whether that means getting the bunts down or hit and run, we're going to have to generate it. I think we have team speed this season. Whenever you can put things in motion it helps generate more offense."
The natural course of time dictates that seniors are looked to for leadership and with four on the roster, the underclassmen have four outstanding players to guide them. Three of the four are fourth-year seniors, while the other is a junior college transfer, but they all understand the urgency of the season.
Lara Brickhouse, Dany'ele Hill and Kristen Johnson have spent the past three seasons learning from the upperclassmen and are ready to display their senior leadership, as is Lacassa Hill, who joined the program out of junior college last season.
"They are the heartbeat of our team," stated Kee. "They are very passionate players and have approached everyday as their last. They understand that sometimes you have to step out of your element and take control of youth and inexperience and I've been extremely pleased with how they have been handling themselves."
While a lot of the faces are the same, Kee feels that this team is completely different from last season's squad. She has seen improvement in each of her returning players since the end of the 2003 campaign and is very optimistic about the reversal of her team's fortunes this year.
"Our feeling this year is that we're not the same team, even our returnees are different, and that is what has made this year so exciting. Add in the new players, who all bring something to the table, and this is the most depth we've ever had."
INFIELDERS
The ECU infield is loaded with talent at each position. Starting jobs will be up for grabs at every position.
Sophomore Christine Sheridan, the 2003 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, led the Pirates in nine offensive categories last season, including batting average and RBI.
Sheridan will battle with junior college transfer Leigh Savoy for playing time at shortstop. Savoy earned first-team all-conference honors and all-state honorable mention accolades at Chipola Junior College in 2003. Junior college transfer Andiey Acosta will occupy third base, but Mandi Nichols will provide her with some stiff competition. Kristen Johnson has been a mainstay at second base throughout her career, but will be challenged by Savoy, who can play either side of the bag.
Dany'ele Hill and junior Kate Manuse will split time at first base. Manuse led the Pirates with eight home runs last season, while Hill had a .983 fielding percentage.
The catching duties will once again fall on the shoulders of Krista Jessup, a 2003 C-USA All-Freshman Team member.
"We have a lot of talented players," said Kee. "I can honestly say that it will not be the same lineup everyday. We just want to be able to put a lineup on the field that can beat our opponent."
OUTFIELDERS
The outfield is one of the most athletic that Pirates have had in recent memory. Both Lacassa Hill and junior college transfer Shirley Burleson can cover a lot of ground in the outfield and have strong throwing arms. Hill recorded seven assists from her center field position last season and finished second on the team in both hitting and stolen bases. Brickhouse returns for her final season after she played in 52 games and made 44 starts as a junior. Sophomore walk-on Jessica Potter, freshmen Dana Cain and Kaycie Maines will add additional depth.
THE PITCHERS
While the position groups are very deep, the pitching staff is probably the thinnest of any group on the squad. The Pirates are only carrying three pitchers this season: sophomore Brentley Bridgeforth (11-12, 2.59), freshman Keli Harrell and junior Maggie Lingo (5-13, 3.27).
As a freshman Bridgeforth led the team in wins, innings pitched, opponents' batting average and had the second lowest ERA and also tossed a no-hitter against Liberty. Lingo, the lone southpaw on the staff, was thrust into more of a prominent role as sophomore and will once again be counted on to throw a lot of innings.
Harrell is a local product from J.H. Rose High School in Greenville and was twice named Player of the Year. During her career, Harrell tossed 10 no-hitters, including six perfect games and finished her senior season with a record of 8-2 and 0.40 ERA.
THE SCHEDULE
Never one to shy away from competition, East Carolina will participate in six tournaments, including four before Conference USA play begins. The Pirates open the 2004 season at the Triangle Classic (Feb. 13-15) in Raleigh hosted by North Carolina before hosting its first of two tournaments this season.
ECU opens Conference USA play at Houston on March 2, and then return home for the Pirate Clash, March 5-7. The Pirates then head to Charleston for another tournament before welcoming UAB to Greenville for its first C-USA home series on March 16. ECU will conclude in-season tournament play at the George Mason Patriot Classic the following weekend.
The Pirates' Conference USA home schedule also includes series with DePaul, South Florida and Southern Miss, while longtime rival UNC Wilmington will also pay a visit. ECU will be on the road for league series at Louisville, Saint Louis and Charlotte with non-conference road doubleheaders scheduled at Liberty, James Madison and North Carolina.
