George Washington University Athletics
GW Softball 2016 Season Outlook
2/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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Feb. 10, 2016
WASHINGTON - The George Washington softball squad returns to the diamond on Friday afternoon as six upperclassmen look to lead a young team to success in 2016.
GW posted 25-23 record last season, reaching the 25-win plateau for the third time in program history.
Under the direction of sixth-year head coach Stacey Schramm, the Colonials return 12 letterwinners and welcome three newcomers who look to make an immediate impact for GW as the Buff and Blue strive for an Atlantic 10 Championship berth in 2016.
GW opens the spring with an 11-game road trip before returning to the newly renovated GW Softball Field on March 4 to host the District Invite.
Pitchers
An Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team member in 2015, Sarah Costlow will lead the Colonials in the circle during her sophomore season. The righty posted a 16-17 mark as a freshman, setting a new program record for single-season victories while logging more appearances (37) and innings pitched (190.2) than any other rookie hurler in program history.
Freshman Jayme Cone, a hard-throwing righty from Trabuco Canyon, California, is expected to share the starting workload with Costlow. Junior Paige Kovalsky will add depth to the pitching staff, coming off a 10-8 season in 2015 with 35 appearances and 22 starts while holding opposing hitters to a .263 average. Sophomore Ashley Pilcher has improved after her rookie season and will add another option for Coach Schramm in the circle.
"Jayme Cone is going to be huge if she stays healthy," said Coach Schramm. "She's got speed and control, which is great - she'll complement Costlow really well and will push her to be even better.
"Pilcher has really developed and will be able to fill in and add depth and different looks against hitters."
Catchers
Sophomore Aiyana Leal-Robles will lead the Colonials behind the plate after the graduation of four-year starter-turned-volunteer coach Samantha Dos Santos. A strong defensive player, Leal-Robles has built confidence offensively and will look to contribute on both sides of the diamond.
"Aiyana has been doing a great job," said Coach Schramm. "We've been pushing her to be more vocal and more of a leader this year and she's breaking out of her shell. At the plate, she's been killing it this preseason."
Infielders
The Colonials return a strong infield with a wealth of experience, led by senior Carlee Gray at first base. Gray paced GW offensively last season with a .369 average and boasted a .995 fielding percentage while setting a program record with 392 putouts.
"Carlee and Paige have really developed offensively," said Coach Schramm. "The ball is just popping off their bats because [assistant coach Nerissa] Myers is teaching them a whole new swing and they've bought in. It's unreal - Carlee is a different hitter; she's more powerful, and both Carlee and Paige are using their legs more."
Junior Megan Linn will move to the left side of the infield to take over duties at shortstop after the graduation of GW's all-time hits leader, Victoria Valos. Linn tallied a .333 average last season as GW's leadoff hitter and second baseman while posting a team-best 52 hits, 41 runs scored and 26 stolen bases.
Sophomore Rochelle Draper will serve as the Colonials' primary second baseman to complete a quick double-play duo with Linn. Last season Draper made all but three of her 45 starts in the outfield, but has always been an athletic and versatile asset.
"Megan Linn is so smooth at short and she is just a good hitter, so we expect her to have a good year," said Schramm. "Draper's been at second, so between the two of them they're a really good double-play combo."
Senior Morgan Matetic, freshman Reilly Tejcek and Kovalsky will share time at the hot corner. Kovalsky posted a solid .308 average last season, splitting time between the circle and third base. Matetic ranked second on the squad with five home runs, while Tejcek looks to bring a big bat to her first collegiate season.
"The infield looks really solid," said Coach Schramm. "Third base will depend on who's hitting, and Reilly and Paige have both been working in the outfield and I expect that they'll both get some innings out there as well. Reilly is going to be playing because she's that good of a hitter. She just has to be who she is and not try to do too much."
Outfielders
A pair of lefty hitters in junior Monica Macchiarulo and sophomore Alana Anderson will be GW's mainstays in left and right field, respectively, after solid seasons a year ago. Macchiarulo progressed from the go-to pinch hitter to a consistent designated player while accumulating innings as an outfielder, while Anderson made 34 appearances and 21 starts in her rookie season.
"Monica and Alana hit for average, so they'll be in the middle of our lineup," said Schramm. "They've both continued to work hard, and Alana has really worked to develop her swing."
Sophomore Morgan Rinehart, GW's top defensive outfielder, will see time in center field and may rotate with Tejcek to fill the outfield based on offensive output. Freshman Ashley Schnarrs is another outfield option for the Colonials, and Kovalsky is expected to see innings in the outfield as well.
With strong team chemistry, the Colonials will look for an Atlantic 10 Championship berth, as GW will host the six-team tournament in May.
"The biggest thing about this team is that the chemistry is so strong," said Coach Schramm. "That's really going to help us achieve our goals this season."
The Colonials begin the 2016 campaign on Friday afternoon against Austin-Peay at a three-day tournament hosted by Gardner-Webb.
