University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware Softball Team Set To Kick Off 2014 Season Looking To Continue Ascension Up CAA Standings
2/4/2014 6:09:00 PM | Softball
NEWARK, Del. -- Coming off one of the top seasons in program history, the University of Delaware softball team will look to maintain its spot among the upper echelon of the Colonial Athletic Association as the Blue Hens get set to open an exciting 2014 campaign.
Delaware won 35 games last year, the second most in a UD single season, while the Blue Hens' 12 conference wins were also second in program history. Delaware opened the CAA season with a school-record nine straight conference wins, eventually securing a berth in the conference tournament for the third consecutive year.
The Blue Hens, led by fourth-year head coach Jaime Wohlbach, set UD single season records with 236 runs scored, 427 hits, and 72 doubles, while their 20 home runs tied for second most in a single year.
Delaware will look to match those offensive numbers again this year and will be led by junior rightfielder Jessica Grisler, a second team All-CAA selection a year ago after batting .365 on the year. Grisler, the team's leadoff hitter, set a UD single season record by scoring 39 runs, while her 69 hits ranked second in a single season and were the second most in the league.
Joining Grisler in the outfield will be sophomore leftfielder Shelby Jones, who earned CAA All-Rookie Team honors last season when she batted .301 and tied for the team lead with four home runs. Fellow sophomore Hannah George also returns to the UD outfield, as she started all but two games in centerfield while batting .270 with 34 hits.
Sophomore Lisa Stacevicz, a CAA All-Rookie Team honoree who started games at five different positions for the Blue Hens a year ago, will also be a major force in the middle of the Blue Hen lineup. Stacevicz led the Blue Hens with 13 doubles and tied for the team lead with 28 RBI while posting a .313 batting average during her impressive freshman campaign.
Michelle McKinnon, one of just two seniors on the squad, is expected to start again in the middle of the Delaware infield. McKinnon, a career .308 hitter, ranked fourth on the Blue Hens with 39 hits and fifth with 17 RBI last season despite missing 22 games with a foot injury. Sophomore Tori Conrad will also hope to contribute after she knocked home 23 runs and ranked second in the CAA with 40 walks during her rookie year.
Senior Brittney Noons, the team's lone captain, will also look to contribute to the Blue Hen lineup, while sophomore Gabby Klecko returns after tying for the team lead with 10 stolen bases a season ago.
Additionally, the Blue Hens welcome junior transfer Heather Oakley, who is expected to start at first base and hit in the middle of the Blue Hen lineup. Freshmen Sarah Bencivenga and Giovanna Kolofer are expected to start in the UD infield, while fellow rookie Danielle Wissinger should start behind the plate.
The Delaware pitching staff will be led by freshman Carolyn Szymanski, a local product from nearby Caravel Academy who was a four-time first team All-State selection.
Sophomore Kelly Lupton, a transfer from UNC Greensboro, is also expected to see significant action in the circle for the Blue Hens, while returning sophomores Kiersten Coffman and Taylor Curran will provide depth. Coffman compiled a 9-3 record as a freshman, while Curran posted six victories.
Delaware will face a challenging non-conference schedule, beginning with the season-opening appearance in the Hawaii Paradise Classic this week. UD opens the year against 13th-ranked and 11-time national champion UCLA on Thursday, while the host Rainbow Wahine is receiving votes in the NFCA preseason poll.
“We are excited to open our season playing a pair of quality opponents with great tradition that are nationally ranked,” Wohlbach said. “The tough competition we will face in the early portion of the season will prepare us well for conference play.”
The Blue Hens play four games at the UCF/Holiday Inn Classic on Feb. 14-16, before another challenging weekend at the Citrus Classic in Orlando on Feb. 21-23. Delaware will take on Lehigh, which has won seven of the past 10 Patriot League titles, in an ESPN3.com game on the opening day, while also facing 21st-ranked Georgia and East Carolina at the tournament.
Following trips to the Norfolk State Spartan Classic and Coppin State Tournament, the Blue Hens will open their home schedule on Mar. 13-16 when they host the third annual University of Delaware Invitational. UD opens CAA action the following weekend at home against league newcomer College of Charleston, the first of six consecutive weekends against conference foes. The Blue Hens will look to qualify for their fourth straight CAA Tournament, which will take place on May 7-9 on the campus of the league's regular season champion.
