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Women’s Softball

Meet the 2007-08 FCCJ Women’s Softball team. This group of young ladies appears to be a team on a mission. They combine experience and youth with speed, power, great defense, pitching, a very competitive spirit and a real enthusiasm for the game. With eleven returning sophomores from a team that came within one game of qualifying for the national tournament, experience and big game experience should help this group on it’s quest for a conference, state and national championship. Six of the returnees were starters last year with two others seeing extensive playing time. They were a highly decorated class out of high school. Six of the players are from Florida, two from Washington state and one each from California, Colorado and the Netherlands. They have come back in good shape with clearly defined goals. They will be aided and pushed by a deep and talented freshman class that should provide the missing ingredients to be able to compete with anyone. The freshman class includes five players who were named to their respective all-state teams and one who played for her country’s 20U national team. The rest were all-county and all-conference performers. Five hail from the state of Florida while two are from Colorado, one from California, one from Washington and one from the Netherlands. They come from highly successful high school and travel ball programs and are the nucleus to not only accomplishing great things this year but upon which to build the following year. While the fall season had some growing pains, great strides were made and the team finished on a high note. The fall saw mixed results on the field as the team struggled early but when they got to play four year and collegiate competition the competitive edge came through. They had seven games against NCAA Division I teams and won three games, tied two and lost two. They finished the fall season in a tournament which saw the team score 41 runs in four games while giving up only three. The face of the team has changed slightly from the fall as a few players are no longer with the team but those spots have been bolstered by two transfers and it would seem the team may be even stronger than ever. As they get to know one and other and the chemistry clicks, this team should be strong in every aspect of the game. If the classroom is any indication the team should do well as 14 of the 19 team members earned a 3.0 or better the first semester — many were above a 3.5 — and three who were under a 3.0 were above a 2.85.

As is the case with any fastpitch team the success will start in the pitcher’s circle. This is truly team strength as the team returns three pitchers led by All-State Tournament selection Ashlyn Kimberly. Kimberly is a true power pitcher from Kirkland, Wash., where she played for the Diamond Dusters. She shut down several DI teams this fall and should be one of the top — if not the top — pitchers in the state. Also gaining valuable mound time last year were Bree MacIntyre from Ft. Collins, Colo., where she played for the Buckaroos, and Jana Owen from St. Augustine, Fla., where she played travel ball for the Orange Park Tigersharks. Both were effective at times as freshman and with hard work in the off season had many good outings in the fall. Making the staff perhaps one of the best in NJCAA will be those three coupled with freshmen Jenny Merrill and Kate Vanderham. Merrill comes in as one of the semester transfers from Santa Rosa Junior College. She is from Rohnert Park, Calif., and played with the Haze, a strong ASA team. On the mound, Merrill throws hard with a good variety of pitches and hits her spots well. She also brings footspeed and a strong bat as she also plays the outfield. Vanderham is another versatile athlete who can hit, run and play the outfield but adds another dimension to the pitching staff with her 6’1” frame and the fact that she is a lefty. While not having a great deal of experience on the mound she throws the ball very hard and developed greatly during the fall and will be very effective in spots. This group of young ladies not only has great depth but each has the ability to dominate games.

Catching will be a bit of an unknown this year as the team will have all newcomers behind the plate. Lindsey Palulis emerged as a top notch catcher during the fall season as she worked very hard and became an excellent blocking catcher. She also was one of the team’s top hitters this past fall and will see time at third base. Palulis is from Orlando, Fla., and played for the Wildcats. Also seeing a lot of time behind the plate in the fall was fellow freshman Kat Cameron who brings great quickness to the position. Cameron is from Orange Park, Fla., and also played with the Tigersharks. Her speed and left handed bat will be an asset. Sophomore Amanda deLancellotti could also see some time behind the plate. Bringing more depth to the catching position is the other semester transfer, Amber Sandau, who is coming in from Division I, University of Northern Colorado. Sandau is from Greeley, Colo., and played with the Triple Crown Stars. She is an extremely athletic player expected to bolster the catching position and see time at 3rd, SS and the outfield as well. She also brings speed and power on the offensive side.

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The middle infield is definitely a strength this year in terms of depth and experience as starters Meike Witteveen and Ashlee Revell return at SS and second, respectively. Witteveen is a pleasure to watch as she makes everything look easy. She played in the World games this past summer in her hometown of Enschede, The Netherlands, as part of her country’s 20U national team. She helped lead the team to a seventh place finish. She had a great freshman year but has even gotten quicker and stronger and improved her offense greatly. Revell is one of the smoothest infielders around and has a great head for the game. The Tallahassee, Fla., native played for the Merchants and along with Witteveen has emerged as a team leader. Revell also was a key RBI person last year and perhaps the most consistent hitter this past fall. She was third in home runs last year. They will be backed up and pushed by Amber Pederson, an all-state selection from Clermont, Fla., who played with the Quicksilver among other teams. Pederson is fast, athletic, hits with power and will play some at SS but will also see time at third or in the outfield as she will find a way to be in the line-up. At second there are four capable players as sophomore Sam Barnes, from Jacksonville and the Storm travel program returns and gained valuable experience last year at both second and in the outfield. She is one of the steadiest performers on the team and brings a great work ethic. Kayla Crosby from Callahan, Fla., and the First Coast Fire was the surprise player in the fall as she committed no errors at second and picked up the outfield remarkably well. She is quick, has great hands and hits with power. Lotte Holvast could be the best of the defensive second baseman as the native of the Netherlands brings the soft hands and great defensive skills that their national players seem to have. She has the most speed on the team and also is a tremendous defensive outfielder.

The corners also will have a nice blend of experience and talent. First base was split last year with returnees Kasey Fagan and Amanda deLancellotti. When not at first they generally occupied the DP position as they were team leaders in many offensive categories. Fagan is a true power hitter who many teams were afraid to pitch to. She is from Keystone Heights, Fla., and also played with the FC Fire. She has a great stretch and picks the ball real well. She led the team in home runs, walks and RBIs. Her counterpart there, Amanda deLancellotti is from Capistrano Beach, California and she played for the Desperadoes Gold. Delancellotti brings good quickness on defense and was a team leader in doubles, second in RBIs and third in home runs Fellow sophomore Bree MacIntyre can play first if needed and will push hard for playing time at third when not on the mound. Pederson also is likely to be at third a great deal of the time. Palulis also plays a very strong third base as that was her primary position in high school. Transfer Sandau could play third as well when not behind the plate. Freshman Sydney Buser from Lake Stevens, Wash., and a member of the Triple Threat Gold club team is a very heads up third baseman. She has good hands, is a good contact hitter and knows where the ball should go on defense.

The outfield is typically a very strong spot for the Stars and this year should be no exception. This is another spot where experience, depth and talent abound. Ashley Howard started most of the time as a freshman. The sophomore from Orange Park, Fla., played with the Storm travel team and possesses one of the strongest arms anywhere and looks to play right field most of the time. In addition to a powerful arm she is accurate and has a quick release. Offensively she hits the ball hard with power. Kassie Crews, from Macclenny, Fla., is a sophomore but was limited her freshman year due to a shoulder injury. She is an aggressive, fast outfielder whose arm strength has returned. Becca Harrot, a red-shirt freshman from Redmond, Wash., is also recovering from shoulder issues and hopes to finally be able to contribute on the field this year. She is an intense competitor with good power. Brigette Kirschmer, from Denver, Colo., and the Ice is turning into an excellent outfielder. While previously playing mostly infield she has been converted to take advantage of her great speed and strong arm. Kate Vanderham from Brookesville, Fla., and the Suncoast Outlaws looks to probably play centerfield to take advantage of her speed, reach and powerful arm. The two-time Hernando County player of the year will also see time on the mound but was a clutch hitter in the fall and is expected to play a lot in the outfield. Other infielders competing for playing time in the outfield are Holvast, Cameron, Merrill, Sandau, MacIntyre, Crosby and Barnes. All are capable and have different strengths. A hot bat will probably determine a lot.

The team has no shortage of depth or talent and the sky is the limit for this team. As they grow and mature together there should be many victories for this team. They play a challenging schedule including participating in the prestigious NFCA lead off classic in addition to three other tournaments and the always tough mid-Florida conference schedule. The team has set high goals, has high expectations and the season should be fun to watch.

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