Full 2012 Schedule
NORFOLK, Va. - Another year, another step closer to a MEAC title for the Norfolk State softball team in 2012. The Spartans enter the upcoming season boasting what head coach Heidi Cavallo calls a good mix of speed and power in the lineup. That, along with a pair of young guns in the pitcher's circle, will help define this year's campaign for NSU and how far the Spartans can advance in MEAC play.
After missing out on the conference tournament all-together in 2010 and then going 23-25 overall last year, including 6-6 in conference play, NSU enters new territory this season with the move to the MEAC Northern Division. Perhaps more importantly, it also marks the second season with Cavallo at the helm. With her interim title now removed, and with the players now having a full year's worth of training with the current coaching staff, NSU will look for its first winning season since 2007.
Having that continuity with her and assistant coach Amanda Haverman and having a well-balanced roster in place after another full year of recruiting, Cavallo is pleased with the program's direction.
“We worked hard in the off-season on our hitting and gaining more confidence in our at bats,” she said. “As a whole we are all on the same page now, and everyone is really buying into what we are doing as a coaching staff. The players know we are behind them all the way.”
Just as important, Cavallo believes the team's chemistry is right where it needs to be in order for NSU to make a serious push in the league.
“We've got great team chemistry, and it's helped to create a fantastic atmosphere around the program,” she said. “Everyone's taking pride in the program, and now we just need to keep it going throughout the season.”
Depth became an issue for the Spartans last season, especially as the year wore on, a problem the current team does not have to face with an 18-player roster. The luxury of being able to throw so many different combinations of lineups is not lost on the coaching staff.
“We've got a good mix of speed and power, and our short game is much more aggressive,” said Cavallo. “We can make the needed adjustments to the other team because of our depth, and change our offense up based on what they are doing. Now that we have depth at every position, players are really pushing each other and battling for spots in the lineup.”
Outfield
One position that is all but guaranteed to be a lock is center field, where reigning All-MEAC player Danielle Wright tends to roam. The senior was a force to be reckoned with last year, finishing in the top 6 in the league in batting average (.383), runs (46), hits (59), home runs (8), total bases (92), slugging percentage (.597), on-base percentage (.442) and stolen bases (28), including first overall in the latter category. For good measure, Wright threw out eight runners from her outfield spot.
“We need Danielle to really be a senior leader for us this year, and that will lead to a fantastic season for her,” stated Cavallo. “As a leadoff hitter, she'll be able to take the conference by storm and have a great farewell season.”
Cavallo is also excited to have junior Gillian Giarrizzo finally eligible after she missed out on playing in 2011. Giarrizzo will see time in the outfield, most likely left field, and will finally see game action for the first time since 2009.
“Gillian works the hardest of anyone on her game, and we're excited to see her in game action after having to sit out for two full years,” said Cavallo. “She is such a high-energy leader, and she brings that fire, that spunk that we need.”
Along with Wright and Giarrizzo, sophomore Morgan Boyd and freshman Haley Ward will also see time in the outfield. Boyd moved to right field last year after starting off at shortstop, while the left-handed hitting Ward gives NSU a natural outfielder to throw into the mix. Boyd batted .365 on the year, including .436 in the last half of the season, and finished third in the MEAC with 24 stolen bases.
“Morgan has worked on her short game to be more effective,” said Cavallo of the slap-hitting Boyd, “to become better at the craft and more comfortable and confident out there. She's a smart player on the basepaths and the quickest player we have.
“Once Haley gets accustomed to college ball, she's going to be a great player for us,” she continued. “She's our most fundamentally sound outfielder, and she adds to our short game and speed at the plate. She just has a great natural swing; it's just a matter of adjusting to our hitting styles.”
Two other players who could be in the mix in the outfield are a pair of utility players in sophomore Nikki Jones and junior Marjorie Pettitt, a junior college transfer from Louisburg College in North Carolina. Jones added some pop in the NSU lineup last year, mostly at designated player but at the outfield corners as well. Pettitt brings another slap-hitting bat to the lineup in addition to her ability to play in the outfield and the middle infield.
“We are looking for Nikki to pick up where she left off offensively,” Cavallo said. “She's just an overall great team player who can play anywhere. She's swinging really well, so we're looking for her to give us a big bat this year.
“Marjorie brings a lot of college game day experience from Louisburg and adds depth to our short game. Her versatility and ability to play several positions will add to our good mix in the lineup.”
Infield
If Wright has her outfield position at lockdown, then surely the same can be said for senior Whitney Holland at third base. She hit .333 and had a team-leading 36 RBI last year despite missing a quarter of the season due to injury in her first year with the program. Holland will help anchor the middle of the lineup with her big bat.
“She's 100 percent excited for her senior year,” said Cavallo. “She knows this is it, and she wants to go out with a bang. She wants to win the MEAC as much as anyone on the team. She brings power to our lineup and she's fine-tuned her defense at third. We are looking for her to have a huge season and be that infield leader out there.”
Four players will log time at the two middle infield positions, with senior Candice Vasquez and junior Gipsy Ramirez providing the veteran leadership up the middle. Vasquez has seen time at third base, second base and shortstop throughout her career at NSU but will again see time at second this year, while Ramirez can play at both second and shortstop when called upon. Ramirez hit .277 last year and came on strong as the year wore on, anchoring the shortstop position while Vasquez started all 48 games at second.
“Gipsy will be key to our middle infield,” stated Cavallo. “She's worked a lot on her defense to become more fundamentally sound. She has bought into our hitting program, and it's really clicked, so we're ready to see her hit this season.
“Candice has really stepped up to the challenge and fine-tuned her defense as well. It's nice to have that senior experience at second base. She's put in extra effort in her hitting, and she wants to go out on a high note this year.”
Pushing those two for time will be freshmen shortstop Whittni Gray and second baseman Alina Moriarty. Gray will battle it out with Ramirez at shortstop, while Moriarty will help backup either Ramirez or Vasquez at second. Cavallo mentioned the two positions as examples of how having depth now will give the Spartans a variety of different lineup combinations, especially as the two newcomers soak up some game experience.
”Once she adapts to the college game, Whittni will be an important contributor for us at shortstop,” stated the head coach. “She's got range, speed and a good arm out on the field and provides speed on the basepaths. She's powerful and quick – deceptively quick.
“We look for Alina to grow as a player at second base, but she has the heart and desire to become a good player. She'll get better with game experience, but she's worked hard on and off the field to become a more confident player.”
Those players will have the luxury of throwing to a solid glove at first in sophomore Melina Valles, who started every game last year at first base and hit .257 with 23 RBI. Valles, who posted a .977 fielding percentage last year, will be pushed for time by freshman Robyn Mitchell, who will also see time at first as well as in a relief role in the circle.
“We are looking for Melina to pick up where she left, to really step up in the batter's box and become a constant producer,” said Cavallo. “She handles pressure very well and is always hustling and going 110 percent.
“Robyn will surprise people. She's accepted the hitting challenge, and we can't wait for her to see live pitching.”
Catcher
After starting every game last year – playing every inning nonetheless – sophomore Kathy Cortez does not have to shoulder all that responsibility with junior college transfer Chelsea Davis on board. Cortez earned second-team All-MEAC honors last year after hitting .307 with 15 RBI, while Davis has brought even more veteran leadership behind the plate after her two years at Louisburg College.
“We've seen Kat in the cages more than anyone, and at this point she just wants to see live pitching,” Cavallo stated. “She steps up in clutch situations, and she can call and control a game so well behind the plate. She understands our pitchers very well.
“Chelsea has helped our pitchers adapt, and that stems from her catching so many games in junior college. She is also able to really control and call a game, and she's a vocal leader on defense. We just need her to hit on a consistent basis.”
Pitchers
The Spartans will rely on a pair of young starters in sophomore Jamie Schulle and freshman Liz Riley to carry them through the season. Schulle, who graduated a year early from high school, saw plenty of time during her rookie campaign last year as NSU's No. 2 starter behind now-graduated Casey Pomeroy. With Pomeroy gone, Schulle takes over the No. 1 role for the Spartans as Riley gets her feet wet in actual game-day experience in the early part of the season.
“Jamie has accepted the challenge of being our No. 1 starter, and we have confidence in her to do what we need her to do as that player,” said Cavallo. “She's soaked up our pitching sessions, and you can tell it's really clicked for her. She's a very smart player with good command of her pitches.
“Liz is working hard to be that top-level pitcher we need in addition to Jamie. She's excelling at everything, and that's because she's an exceptional athlete who just happens to be a pitcher.”
Both Mitchell and senior Elizabeth Castaneda will back up Schulle and Riley in a relief role and eat up innings where needed. Castaneda obviously brings the senior experience and leadership to a pitching staff that is relying on three freshmen-aged players, having made 64 appearances throughout her career, including 15 starts.
“Liz (Castaneda) knows what's expected of her, and she's worked hard to do what we need her to do this year,” Cavallo stated. “We need her to be that upperclassman pitcher and control ball games when called upon.
“Robyn is a very mentally strong player, and that will serve her well in a relief role. It will be a good role for her to fill early on in her career here.”
In addition, Cavallo can also call upon Ramirez to pitch, as the hard-throwing right-hander was one of her team's top pitchers in high school in addition to her big bat at the plate.
Schedule
NSU will have the luxury of a slew of homes games, including four during the two-day Spartan Classic Feb. 25-26 at the NSU Softball Field. Prior to heading to the Delaware Invitational March 16-18, the only away games for the Spartans are doubleheaders against familiar foes in North Carolina Central, North Carolina A&T, Savannah State and South Carolina State, teams NSU could very well end up seeing later in the year at the MEAC tournament.
Along with the Spartan Classic, NSU will also host Marist and Fairleigh Dickinson for the team's home openers Feb. 18 and 19, facing both teams both days at noon and 2 p.m. The Spartans will also host non-conference doubleheaders against Canisius (Feb. 20) and George Mason (March 13) as well as a pair of twinbills against Central Connecticut State on March 19 and 20.
Moving into the MEAC Northern Division this year means NSU will get three home weekends against conference foes as opposed to two in the years before. The Spartans host Coppin State March 24-25 to kick off conference play and will also welcome Morgan State (April 14-15) and Hampton (May 5-6) to the NSU Softball Field.
NSU travels to Howard, UMES and Delaware State during conference play and will also hit the road for doubleheaders at James Madison and Longwood in April.
