George Washington University Athletics
Softball Set for 2017 Campaign
2/15/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
WASHINGTON - The George Washington softball squad embarks on its first season under the direction of Head Coach James DeFeo with five games over the weekend at the D9 Orange Blossom Invitational in Orlando, Florida, beginning on Friday.
DeFeo is joined by assistant coaches Hallie Blackney and Hailey Smith and welcome seven talented freshmen and return a strong core of 11 letterwinners to the 2017 squad, including two A-10 All-Conference members from a year ago: seniors Monica Macchiarulo (Second Team) and Megan Linn (All-Academic).
The Buff and Blue were picked to return to the A-10 Championship in the league's Preseason Poll after tallying a 23-29 (10-13 A-10) record last season and earning a berth to the A-10 Tournament.
"We've been working really hard this spring, and the team feels really confident and prepared," said DeFeo. They're anxious to get on the field and play real games. They want to see the fruit of their labors; they know how hard they've worked and how much better they've gotten and they are just ready to play. It's going to be exciting to watch."
INFIELD
The Colonials' infield will be led by seniors Megan Linn and Paige Kovalsky at shortstop and third base, respectively. Linn ranked second on the squad last season with a .373 batting average with a team-high 25 RBI, adding 17 stolen bases to become the program's all-time career swipes record holder. Kovalsky manned the hot corner and took on duties as a slick-fielding pitcher a year ago while belting a team-high tying three home runs as an offensive threat. Sophomore Riley Tejcek will also see innings at third base this spring.
"Our infield will be led by the leadership of our upperclassmen," said assistant coach Smith. "We'll have a senior at both third and shortstop which is great because they've been starters for the majority of their careers."
Junior Rochelle Draper will complete the middle infield as the Colonials' second baseman and will add another strong bat to the lineup after an off-season of hard work at the plate.
Rookies will rotate at first base as Jenna Cone, Elena Shelepak and Faith Weber will see time.
"Rochelle has come out and worked extremely hard during the off-season to propel herself as our starting second baseman," added Smith. "Over at first, you'll see either Jenna, Elena or Faith. Their bats will be very useful in the lineup. Our infield is one of our strong suits â€" they're very solid and fundamentally sound."
OUTFIELD
Junior Morgan Rinehart will command the outfield after a strong 2016 in centerfield. Rinehart added a .302 average as a sophomore and will man the green alongside Macchiarulo, who led the team with a .384 average and 18 stolen bases last season, and junior Alana Anderson, who tallied a breakout season offensively as a sophomore with a .320 average.
"We'll look to Morgan to be a leader in the outfield this season," said assistant coach Blackney. "Alana is a versatile player and Monica has worked extremely hard and is looking more athletic than ever. Our underclassmen are constantly improving, giving us a lot of options in the outfield."
PITCHERS
Junior ace Sarah Costlow is back in the circle after shouldering the bulk of GW's innings last season (188.0) and will lead a bolstered staff in 2017 with the additions of rookies Kaitlin Buff and Faith Weber. Junior Ashley Pilcher will likely take on more innings this season and a healthy sophomore Jayme Cone is poised to make an impact on the rubber.
"We have a very deep pitching staff led by Sarah Costlow," said DeFeo. "She's been a leader both on and off of the field for that group, which has helped each of them grow this off-season. Pilcher is a great complement to a lot of our pitchers and will see a lot of time. Jayme is healthy and looking very strong. Buff is a lefty who has thrown very well during the fall and spring, and Faith, a strong righty, has also thrown very well, so we have a lot of options in the circle."
CATCHERS
Freshmen Priscilla Martinez and Jenna Cone will share the duties behind the plate this season.
"They're both really good offensively and defensively," said DeFeo. "They've really learned a lot so far this year; they work hard and they're ready to go."
The DeFeo era begins on Friday as the Colonials take on Providence and LIU Brooklyn at the Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. GW will face Bethune Cookman and Delaware on Saturday and close their season-opening weekend with a game against Stetson on Sunday.
