Feb. 2, 2004
After two of the most successful seasons in school history, the Georgia Tech softball program welcomes its seventh and newest head coach in Ehren Earleywine. Earleywine joined the Tech staff as the top assistant in 2002, guiding the Yellow Jackets to a school record 52 wins and one win shy of the College World Series. Last season, Earleywine was part of a Tech squad that made a second straight appearance in the NCAA Regional Tournament, finishing fourth in the Tuscaloosa Regional.
This year, rookie head coach Earleywine wants his team to take the next step.
“I think after having been to the Regional Tournament the past two years, the obvious next step is going to the World Series,” said Earleywine. “Obviously, winning an ACC Championship is our primary goal, getting back to NCAA Regionals is number two and winning the regional will be the third.”
The Jackets have a wealth of leadership returning to this year’s lineup, led by five seniors-Tara Knudsen (Thornton, Colo.), Soraya Reddick (Tampa, Fla.), Erin Voeltz (Westlake, Calif.), Tasha Waugh (Talala, Okla.) and Sara Wissmann (El Dorado Hills, Calif.).
“The strength of this team is experience,” said Earleywine. “We have a pretty solid junior and senior class. Those athletes all have two years of regional tournament experience. They can create their own destiny this year.”
In order to get ready for the Atlantic Coast Conference, which added a sixth team for softball in NC State this year, the Yellow Jackets will face one of the toughest schedules in the country. Tech will play against 10 teams that made the NCAA Regional Tournament in 2003 and three-Alabama, Arizona and Louisiana-Lafayette-that advanced to the College World Series.
“I would be real surprised if this wasn’t the hardest schedule that Tech has ever had. That definitely sets us up in terms of preparing for the ACC, NCAA Regional Tournament and hopefully the World Series. We’ve taken on the philosophy that in order to be the best, you have to play the best. That’s how our schedule has been arranged and we look forward to the challenges.”
Here’s a look at Tech position by position:
PITCHERS
After breaking the school career and single-season records in strikeouts, junior Jessica Sallinger (Kennesaw, Ga.) returns as the top pitcher for the Jackets. Sallinger garnered All-ACC honors last season after leading the league in strikeouts (337), finishing 11th in the nation in strikeouts per game (9.5) and 36th in Earned Run Average (1.26).
“Jessica is a proven collegiate pitcher,” said Earleywine. “She was the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2002 and an All-ACC performer in 2003. She has all the tools. I think her attitude is much improved this year and she’s ready to accept the responsibility of leading this team on and off the field.”
Another part of the pitching tandem for Tech will be Voeltz. She finished last year with a record of 13-6 and an ERA of 2.53. Voeltz tallied her first perfect game of her collegiate career last year in the regional tournament against Southern University on May 15, 2003.
“Erin is a senior with a lot of experience,” said Earleywine. “She did not allow a single earned run this fall. The biggest improvement for her is the development of a change up. Credit has to go to our pitching coach, John Bargfeldt, for helping her along with that development. By adding a change up, she has really gone to the next level.”
Freshman Sarah Wood (Marietta, Ga.) will also see some time on the mound for the Yellow Jackets. A 2003 graduate of Walton High School, Wood fired 15 consecutive scoreless innings in the state playoffs a year ago, earning all-state, all-county and all-area honors.
“Sarah has a great deal of potential,” said Earleywine. “She used four or five pitches in high school and we’re asking her to cut down on the amount pitches and focus on trying to master two or three. If she can do that, then she will be tough for opposing hitters to handle.”
CATCHERS
Heading up the duties behind the plate will be Waugh. She split time with All-ACC catcher Lindsay Wood last year, starting in 37 games. She hit five home runs for the Jackets last year and only allowed three passed balls. Waugh will also see action as the designated player and first baseman for the Jackets.
“Waugh brings experience,” said Earleywine. “She is the team mom. I would like for her to become a little more verbal and take more command of this team and I feel that she is ready to do that.”
Sharing time with Waugh at catcher will be sophomore Lauren Schlechte (St. Louis, Mo.). Schlechte has one of the strongest arms on the team and is one of the more versatile players.
“We really saw a huge improvement this fall in Schlechte’s overall attitude,” said Earleywine. “She established a certain level of comfort behind the plate and kind of settled into that role. She will improve throughout the spring because she has so much upside.”
Backing Waugh and Schlechte up behind the plate will be junior Liz Bartle (Coral Springs, Fla.). Bartle saw time for Tech as the designated player a year ago and should do the same in 2004. She drove in eight runs a year ago and had one home run in 70 at bats.
“Liz had an extremely good fall,” said Earleywine. “She just needs to be able to take her ‘A’ game from practice to the game. If she can accomplish that, she will have a good chance of hitting in the four or five hole for us.”
FIRST BASE
Incoming freshman Kristina Hull (Colorado Springs, Colo.) is the projected starter for Tech at first base. Hull was named Player of the Year at Doherty High School as a senior and garnered all-area and all-county honors.
“Hull is a good defensive first baseman and is a good target for the infielders to throw to,” said Earleywine. “She has a lot of enthusiasm and creates life on the infield.”
A group of players that could see action at first base as well will be Waugh, Sallinger, Wood and Bartle.
“There are a whole slew of players that can play this position for us this year. Many of them still need some work over there, but if they are hitting well, then we are going to have to find a place for them.”
SECOND BASE
Taking over second base for the Yellow Jackets will be junior Katie Donovan (Marietta, Ga.). Donovan led Tech in the post-season with a .381 batting average in the NCAA Regional and ACC Tournaments. She was named to the ACC all-tournament team.
“Katie was moved from first over to second base where she played all through high school,” said Earleywine. “In the fall she was a little uncomfortable because she had not been there in awhile, but she settled in and did an excellent job for us by the end of the fall.”
THIRD BASE
Schlechte will start at third base when she is not performing duties behind the plate. She carried a .941 fielding percentage over at the hot corner last year, starting in 28 games.
“Lauren is a great defensive player with a very strong arm,” said Earleywine. “She will be wearing many hats for us this year but we feel that she is capable to play anywhere we need her to.”
Also seeing time at third base for the Jackets will be converted outfielder junior Kirin Kumar (Santa Ana, Calif.). Kumar hit .238 in 2003, starting in 55 games in the outfield.
“Kirin has done well with the transition from the outfield to third base, where she has never played before,” said Earleywine. “She still needs work over there, but her short game coverage is excellent.”
SHORTSTOP
Knudsen headlines the shortstop position for the Yellow Jackets. She was recently drafted by San Antonio in the 2004 National Pro Fastpitch draft held in December. Knudsen led the ACC in home runs for the second time in as many years last season and earned All-ACC honors for the second consecutive season.
“Tara is a returning All-American,” said Earleywine. “She is a great defender and hits a ton for us. She has already made her mark on the Tech record books and should continue to do so this spring.”
OUTFIELD
Wissmann and Reddick both return as starters in the outfield for the Jackets. Wissmann started in 56 games for Tech last year, ranking second on the team with eight stolen bases in 10 attempts.
Reddick ranked third on the Tech squad with a .248 batting average and started in 57 games for the Yellow Jackets. She committed one error in 68 chances last year.
“When you mention Sara and Soraya, you’re talking about two girls with a ton of experience,” said Earleywine. “They both have speed and good range in the outfield.”
Sophomore Amy Hosier (Lakewood, Colo.) should be the third starting outfielder for the Rambling Wreck. Hosier saw limited action last season, starting in nine games for Tech.
“Amy saw a little bit of playing time as a freshman,” said Earleywine. “We’ve added to her game, with the ability to slap, bunt for a hit and swing away. We believe with those three elements she will be a positive contributor to our offense.”
Other players that could see time out in the outfield will be Kumar and Hull.
“We could be playing musical chairs out there,” said Earleywine. “We’re just going to wait and see who is swinging a hot bat and who comes ready to play everyday.”
