Lakeland Mirror

Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Brian Moser Allison Lock tracks down a fly ball in the game against UW-Stevens Point last season.

Media Credit: Brian Moser Katie Yeager swings at a pitch during a game last season. As the team's only senior this year, she will be expected to provide veteran leadership as the Muskies gear up to improve on their successful 2006 season during which they finished second in the former Lake Michigan Conference.

"Winning conference is our main goal," said head coach Chad Buchmann. This comment comes, despite the fourth seed given to the Lakeland softball team in the 2007 NAC softball coaches' preseason poll. "Obviously we have a lot of work ahead of us," added Buchmann.

Aurora University and Edgewood College lead the poll with the top two seeds, and in the two previous years under Buchmann, the Muskies have not won a single game against either of these teams. "Aurora and Edgewood are consistent and we need to find a way to beat them," said Buchmann.

Last year, Lakeland finished second in the Lake Michigan Conference with a conference record of12-4. The team played well almost exclusively inside the conference with an 18-21 record overall. One thing the Muskies did exceptionally well last year was playing defense. As a team, they ranked lowest in errors committed in the conference.

"With discipline and experience comes confidence and maturity," said Buchmann. "The ladies know that, and are doing an awesome job holding each other accountable and are really focusing on doing the little things right."

Senior, Katie Yeager, will need to have a big year if the Muskies plan to win conference. As a sophomore, the catcher batted .298 and led the team in total bases, runs batted in, slugging percentage, doubles, triples, home runs (tied), and base on balls. Last year, her numbers dipped drastically. She batted .233 and only had 14 RBIs.

"Katie Yeager (Sr-C) has stuck through some rough early years, persevered and developed as a team leader," said Buchmann.

The two time all-conference shortstop Elisa Waltz will also be a critical part of Lakeland's winning equation this year. The junior led the team in at bats and RBIs last year and represents the largest returning batting weapon due to the graduation of Monica Hetzel and Valerie Bartlett. However, her defensive skills will come in handy as a veteran middle infielder. Last year, she was involved in 121 put outs as a sophomore.

The bats of Hetzel and Bartlett will be very sorely missed. Hetzel hit .437 last year with a .583 slugging percentage and a .459 on base percentage, which are all team-highs. Bartlett was a very consistent hitter, with only 3 strikeouts all year long. The senior hit .356 last year.

As a sophomore, Rachel Griesbach captured an all-conference as a pitcher. Unfortunately, Griesbach will not be returning to action this year. Another veteran pitcher who willingly will not be returning is Kayla Nissen. As a freshman, Nissen led the team in pitching appearances; however, she did give up a ghastly 15 home runs.

"Pitching is going to be the really questionable area that we need to make sure shows up," said Buchmann. "We have the talent. We have the drive, but they are young."

At this point, Buchmann has slated freshman Sarah Roberts as his number one starting pitcher. The six foot tall freshman is a recruit from Escanaba, Michigan. Roberts represents the best of the four pitchers that Buchmann expects to have. Three of the four pitchers for Lakeland this year are freshmen. The only returning pitcher is Jennifer Zimmerman, who only recorded five innings last year due to an injury.

As a team, the Muskies did not steal bases very well at all last year. The leading stealing threat for Lakeland last year was Waltz with only six on eight attempts. Only three players had more than two stolen bases all year. It is not in Buchmann's tendencies to have a base stealing offense as he only sent his runners 32 times last year compared to opponents' 56.

As the only senior, Yeager accompanies Waltz and the other six juniors, in a massive upperclassmen count. The Muskies did fatten their lineup greatly this year by adding nine freshman recruits to the depth chart. "The freshmen are dedicated and will continue the Muskie tradition without a doubt," said Buchmann. "They are very team oriented and will push our returners for playing time."

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