Softball ready to test field in Triangle Classic

by Steph Woody
For The Post

Though the murky puddles and scarce patches of green bear no semblance to a softball field and the weather remains cold and gloomy, the Ohio softball team is ready for the upcoming season.

"The atmosphere in preseason was very positive," pitcher Kasey Dowd said. "We're excited for the season."

With 13 returning players, including three seniors and last season's MAC Freshman of the Year, two transfer players, six rookies and a new assistant coach, the Bobcats are eager to better last year's record of 18-28 overall and 10-11 in the Mid-American Conference.

New to Ohio softball is assistant coach Andrea Costa. She comes to the Bobcats with coaching experience from the University of Bridgeport and Fairfield University.

"She brings a lot of experience to the table," Ohio softball coach Roanna Brazier said. "She has a lot of energy. She loves the game of softball, and the girls respond well to that."

Leading Ohio on the mound this year is senior captain Dowd. Last season, Dowd had an ERA of 2.83 and compiled eight victories with 73 strikeouts.

"Kasey is our go-to pitcher," Brazier said. "She's going to see a lot of time on the mound. We play well behind her."

Sparking the team offensively is third baseman Kelli Bankert, who was named MAC Freshman of the Year last season.

Bankert led Ohio in hits with 48, RBI with 24, and batting average at .361 last season. She also recorded 16 doubles and two home runs. She led the MAC in doubles and ranked fourth in the league in batting and hits per game.

"I expect Kelli to have another great year," Brazier said. "She's improved defensively. She has a lot more range, and she's still hitting the ball well."

Second baseman Tiffany Bolton returns to the Ohio roster. Last season Bolton started every game she played, recording 38 hits and 14 RBI.

Bolton said she expects Ohio to battle for the MAC championship.

"We want to show our opponents we're a tough team and not to take us for granted," Bolton said.

The Bobcats add two new transfers to their roster in catcher Kim Stinson and pitcher Valerie Wood. Stinson comes to Ohio from Independence Community College. She brings overseas and summer ball experience to the Bobcats. Wood transferred from El Paso Community College in Texas.

"Val is our hardest throwing pitcher," Brazier said. "She'll be a surprise for most teams who do not know who she is."

Brazier said she looks to the seniors and veteran players to provide leadership, but she is not counting out the talent the newcomers possess. She said she expects all of the freshmen to have impact on the team and some even will earn significant playing time.

"Our youth is an extreme positive for our team," Brazier said. "The freshmen will add a lot of spunk."

Dowd said the combination of newcomers and returning players should be a recipe for success.

"We have a lot of new people contributing plus our veteran returners," Dowd said. "It's a good problem to have - everyone playing so well."

Brazier looks for the pitching staff and depth to be strengths for the Bobcats. She said the team is in great shape heading into the season, and she attributes her team's readiness to the new facilities - indoor cages and an Astroturf field.

Bolton said the Bobcats have improved throughout the preseason.

"We got on the field a few times last week," Bolton said. "That helped us to figure each other out."

The Bobcats open their season with the Triangle Classic, playing games against University of North Carolina-Wilmington and Minnesota.

"If we can work out our kinks early in the game and play defense until we get our offense, then we can pound on them later," Brazier said.

Dowd said the MAC home opener against Western Michigan on March 23 and Central Michigan on March 24 will be key.

"Central Michigan will be a great home opener for us," Dowd said. "They are always a perennial powerhouse, especially in the (MAC) West. It will be a big test for us."