George Washington University Athletics
GW Softball Opens 2015 Slate on Friday
2/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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Feb. 4, 2015
WASHINGTON- After reaching the Atlantic 10 tournament in 2012 and 2013, the George Washington softball team looks to return to the post-season in 2015 with a fully stocked returning lineup and a strong class of newcomers to add depth.
The Colonials return 14 letter winners, including experienced defensive starters at each position, and look to several freshman for an immediate impact in 2015.
"Having defensive returners at every position is going to be huge," said fifth-year Head Coach Stacey Schramm. "At times last season we had three freshmen starting in the outfield. Now that they have a year of experience, we're looking forward to a good defensive season."
Sophomores Bradleigh Breland, Monica Macchiarulo and Marissa Mangini are all quick slap hitters who can cover ground in the outfield and will see playing time this spring. Freshman Morgan Rinehart will be looked to as the primary centerfielder.
"Having athletes like Bradleigh, Monica and Marissa is great because if one isn't quite on, then another is right there to slide in," said Coach Schramm. "Morgan Rinehart is our best outfielder; she covers so much ground, gets great reads on the ball and has a cannon for an arm. We're really excited to see what she'll do out there this spring. She doesn't play like she's a freshman."
The Colonials also return sophomore Jillian Galich, who saw 42 starts in right field in 2014 while providing a steady bat in the lineup. With a strong throwing arm, Galich is expected to see time again in right field as well as in the designated player slot.
Sophomore Monica Macchiarulo, freshman Alana Anderson and senior McKinley Tretler round out the Colonials' outfield. Tretler is expected to see time primarily as a pinch hitter and as a DP while Macciarulo and Anderson will be fighting for playing time.
"Monica had a great fall," said Coach Schramm. "She came back this year with a completely different attitude and was a starter in the fall, batting high in the lineup. A year of experience really helped her."
The Colonials return all of last season's infield starters and look to continue to improve both offensively and defensively.
Junior Morgan Matetic looks to build off a breakout sophomore campaign, where she saw a power surge with six home runs, a .639 slugging percentage and a .313 batting average while starting 31 games, 27 of which were in the hot corner.
"Morgan puts in the work," said Coach Schramm. "She logged 5,000 swings over winter break alone. She has a unique swing that allows her to create a huge whip with her bat allowing her to hit the ball hard and far with her strength."
Junior Carlee Gray will resume first base duties for the third season and looks to return to A-10 All-Rookie form offensively and continue stellar defensive play.
"Carlee is so dependable," said Coach Schramm. "She came back this year like her old freshman self, without any worries, just looking to crush the ball. She's become more of a leader this year, which is great. She has such a positive personality."
GW's dynamic middle infield duo of senior shortstop Victoria Valos and sophomore second baseman Megan Linn look forward to another successful season offensively, and an even stronger year defensively. Both Valos and Linn nabbed second-team all-conference honors in 2014, while Linn added an A-10 All-Rookie team nod to her resume. Linn looks to continue to take advantage of her speed and add to her single-season record 30 swipes on the bases and team-leading .370 batting average. Valos will continue to build upon program records for home runs (28), doubles (41), RBIs (128), extra-base hits (72) and slugging percentage (.622), after a solid junior campaign that saw a .355 average with 42 RBIs and a .622 slugging percentage.
"Having Megan Linn and Victoria Valos back for another year together is just awesome," said Coach Schramm. "They cover so much ground defensively and take away so many bloop hits. Offensively, we look to them to produce as they have in the past."
Sophomore Paige Kovalsky and freshman Rochelle Draper provide the Colonials with depth in the infield, as Kovalsky can fill in on the corners and Draper provides a seamless option anywhere on the field. Kovalsky, who missed most of 2014 with an injury, also looks to make an impact in the circle.
"Draper can fill in anywhere," said Coach Schramm. "She filled in for Linn in the fall and was outstanding. We converted her to an outfielder as well and she is amazing. She'll allow us to fill in the gaps if someone gets hurt, and I can breathe easier knowing she's filling in. Paige will see time as long as she stays healthy. She's one of the most athletic players we have."
In addition to Kovalsky, the Buff and Blue return junior hurler Meghan Rico, who shouldered a majority of the innings for the Colonials last season. She owns the program-record for lowest opponent batting average at .240 and looks to lead a young staff with two newcomers in Ashley Pilcher and Sarah Costlow. Costlow will be looked upon for innings this year, providing a different look to batters than Rico's strikeout style.
"Costlow has this great carefree, but highly competitive attitude - she loves the game," said Coach Schramm. "She'll make our defense work and will limit our walks this season. She'll also continue to push Rico, who has had some of the best workouts I've seen in her three years here. She pitched the best game of her career this fall, and we're excited to see her perform in the circle this season."
Pilcher looks to continue to develop her game at the college level and will be used to give hitters a different look.
Behind the plate, senior Samantha Dos Santos will resume duties as the Colonials' backstop, but has competition in freshman Aiyana Leal-Robles. Dos Santos has earned a reputation as one of the strongest defensive catchers in the conference, while Leal-Robles has the ability to hit for power.
"We have two capable catchers who both deserve to start," said Coach Schramm. "Dos Santos has had the best preseason of her career, and we look to her to be a producer at the plate this year."
Sophomore Mary Wiley and junior Maura Murphy will provide strong support in the dugout this season, as both infielders recover from injuries this spring.
"As long as we stay healthy, I really think we have a shot at winning the regular season title," said Coach Schramm. "We're going to take it one step at a time and look to win the regular season, then take on the A-10 tournament as the next step."
The Colonials open the 2015 season on Friday, taking on Evansville and Chattanooga for the first of five games at the Plainsman Invite in Auburn, Alabama.
