Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: Walt Middleton Photography
Previewing the 2017 Softball Season
2/14/2017 11:31:00 AM | Softball
The Eagles return several key contributors from a season ago
Preview Video
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — With the Eastern Michigan University softball team opening play this weekend, it is time to take an in-depth look at the 2017 Eagles. In her fourth season at the helm, Melissa Gentile is set to guide her team back to the postseason for the first time since 2011 and build upon last season's 19-32 overall record.
Following the loss of six players to graduation, three of which were starters, the Green and White will rely on a roster full of youth in 2017. This season's squad features four seniors, four juniors, six sophomores, and five freshmen. Coming off a year in which they fell just short of a Mid-American Conference Tournament berth, the Eagles look to get back on track this spring.
EMU's upperclassmen features eight players who have contributed in different facets of the game over the course of their careers. With three years of playing within Gentile's system, the group is poised for a breakout year, while the sophomore class is expected to make strong contributions after earning plenty of playing time in their freshmen campaigns. With five freshmen expected to make an impact when the Eagles open the season, Feb. 17, the class' depth, versatility, and speed is an exciting addition to the 2017 squad.
At catcher, the Green and White will be without Second Team All-MAC selection Aoife Duffy, but return senior Taylor Wagner (Marshalltown, Iowa-Marshalltown) and sophomore Sam Saporito (Eastvale, Calif.-Eleanor Roosevelt). The Eagles also welcome freshman Sam Isaly (Dublin, Ohio-Dublin Coffman) into the fold. Duffy had a career-year in 2016, as injuries moved the Powell, Ohio native into the role of starting catcher, but with Wagner completely healthy Eastern Michigan should transition smoothly. Wagner reeled in Second Team All-MAC honors in 2015 before injuries cut her season short and then kept her sidelined for a majority of the 2016 campaign. Saporito split time at catcher and in left field last season, and looks to build on her freshman year experiences, while Isaly is a heavy hitter that could also see time as the Eagles' designated player.
Around the infield, Eastern will see sophomore Olivia Logan (Riverview, Mich.-Riverview) return to first base, a job that she won outright as a freshman. Logan showed promise at the plate in her first collegiate season, hitting .279 at the dish and driving in 20 runs, while tying for the team lead with 16 walks. At second base, junior Brandice Olmos (Riversive, Calif.-Grand Terrace) returns to her post after a strong sophomore season. Olmos set career-highs in batting average, hits, runs, RBIs, walks, and on-base percentage in 2016. On the other side of the bag, EMU will see a change at shortstop, as two-year starter Haley Hostetler (New Haven, Ind.-Woodlan) transitions to the outfield. Replacing Hostetler is freshman Ariana Chretien (Commerce, Mich.-Walled Lake Northern). Chretien joins the Eagles after an outstanding prep career at Walled Lake Northern, where she was a four-time All-KLAA awardwinner. Rounding out the infield is sophomore Amanda Akles (La Habra, Calif.-La Habra), who will handle primary duties at the hot corner. Akles started every game at third base for the Eagles a season ago, ultimately coming away with MAC All-Freshman Team honors. The La Habra, Calif. product tied for the team lead with 35 RBIs, while hitting .268 at the plate with a .464 slugging percentage. Freshman Danielle Rico (Moreno Valley, Calif.-Grand Terrace) is also expected to get playing time at second and third base, while senior Katy Wyman (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Portage Central) could also earn time at second.
With two of the three starting outfield jobs locked up, the Eagles will look to solidify a starting left fielder early on. First Team All-MAC and NFCA All-Great Lakes Region selection Michelle Kriegshauser (New Lenox, Ill.-Lincoln Way Central) is back in right for her senior season, and fourth as a starter. Kriegshauser is one of the most decorated players in EMU history and has led the team in batting average each of the past two seasons. Last year, Kriegshauser hit a team-best .381 with 56 hits, while tying for the team lead with 35 RBIs. She also paced the team with 24 runs scored and 15 doubles. The New Lenox, Ill. native enters her final go-around as the program record holder in career batting average (.355) and ranked inside the top-10 in home runs, doubles, and RBIs. Following the graduation of Abby Davidson, Hostetler will transition from shortstop to center field in her junior season. An ultra-athletic defender, Hostetler has spent the offseason working with Assistant Coach Kim Burke, perfecting her craft. Offensively, Hostetler set career-highs in doubles, triples, extra base hits, RBIs, and slugging percentage last year. The New Haven, Ind. native has also proven to be a threat on the base paths in her first two seasons as an Eagle, where she has been successful on 17-of-19 stolen base attempts. Left field is up for grabs as the Green and White ready for the season with Saporito, freshman Arielle Anderson (Marion, Ohio-Pleasant), junior Alex Peters (Oscoda, Mich.-Alpena), sophomore Lucy Lopez (Bakersfield, Calif.-Stockdale), and junior Angel Schilke (Saline, Mich.-Saline) vying for the spot.
Several players could earn spot starts in the outfield over the course of the season, but will be most utilized for speed or in pinch running opportunities. Schilke was one of the Eagles' top base runners last season, swiping nine bags, while EMU has to fill the shoes of Elaine Whitbeck, who registered a team-high 12 steals in 2016. Lopez, Saporito, and Hostetler added four stolen bases apiece last season, and will be looked upon to improve on those numbers this spring.
In the circle, first-year pitching coach Andrea Vangoss looks to mix experience with youth as EMU returns three hurlers and adds a freshman. Senior Abbie Minsker (Howell, Mich.-Hartland), junior Trisha Trujillo (Whittier, Calif.-California), and sophomore Nicolle Miranda (Wilmington, Calif.-Port of Los Angeles) are back and ready to build off of career years. Minsker made the most of a career-high 28 appearances, setting career-highs in wins (7), complete games (7), shutouts (2), and innings pitched (86.2). She also more than doubled her previous career strikeout total, fanning a career-best 43 in 2016. Trujillo made 29 appearances, a majority of which came in relief efforts, where she compiled a record of 3-5 and struck out a career-high 45. Miranda rounds out the trio of returners and proved to be the Eagles' ace as a freshman. The Wilmington, Calif. product led the team in wins (9), complete games (11), innings pitched (165.1), and strikeouts (85). Freshman Savanah White (Visalia, Calif.-Redwood) is the lone newcomer to the group, and joins the pitching staff for her first collegiate season. A talented hurler, White brings a number of new pitches and a bump in speed that will keep opposing batters off-balance. In her final prep season, White owned an earned run average of 1.38 in the circle. She also helped her own cause, hitting .458 at the plate and stealing 19 bases.
The Eagles begin the 2017 season this weekend, Feb. 17-19, at the first of two weekends of the EMU Madeira Beach Invitational in Madeira Beach, Fla. Eastern Michigan's first game is against Boston University, Feb. 17, at 9 a.m.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — With the Eastern Michigan University softball team opening play this weekend, it is time to take an in-depth look at the 2017 Eagles. In her fourth season at the helm, Melissa Gentile is set to guide her team back to the postseason for the first time since 2011 and build upon last season's 19-32 overall record.
Following the loss of six players to graduation, three of which were starters, the Green and White will rely on a roster full of youth in 2017. This season's squad features four seniors, four juniors, six sophomores, and five freshmen. Coming off a year in which they fell just short of a Mid-American Conference Tournament berth, the Eagles look to get back on track this spring.
EMU's upperclassmen features eight players who have contributed in different facets of the game over the course of their careers. With three years of playing within Gentile's system, the group is poised for a breakout year, while the sophomore class is expected to make strong contributions after earning plenty of playing time in their freshmen campaigns. With five freshmen expected to make an impact when the Eagles open the season, Feb. 17, the class' depth, versatility, and speed is an exciting addition to the 2017 squad.
At catcher, the Green and White will be without Second Team All-MAC selection Aoife Duffy, but return senior Taylor Wagner (Marshalltown, Iowa-Marshalltown) and sophomore Sam Saporito (Eastvale, Calif.-Eleanor Roosevelt). The Eagles also welcome freshman Sam Isaly (Dublin, Ohio-Dublin Coffman) into the fold. Duffy had a career-year in 2016, as injuries moved the Powell, Ohio native into the role of starting catcher, but with Wagner completely healthy Eastern Michigan should transition smoothly. Wagner reeled in Second Team All-MAC honors in 2015 before injuries cut her season short and then kept her sidelined for a majority of the 2016 campaign. Saporito split time at catcher and in left field last season, and looks to build on her freshman year experiences, while Isaly is a heavy hitter that could also see time as the Eagles' designated player.
Around the infield, Eastern will see sophomore Olivia Logan (Riverview, Mich.-Riverview) return to first base, a job that she won outright as a freshman. Logan showed promise at the plate in her first collegiate season, hitting .279 at the dish and driving in 20 runs, while tying for the team lead with 16 walks. At second base, junior Brandice Olmos (Riversive, Calif.-Grand Terrace) returns to her post after a strong sophomore season. Olmos set career-highs in batting average, hits, runs, RBIs, walks, and on-base percentage in 2016. On the other side of the bag, EMU will see a change at shortstop, as two-year starter Haley Hostetler (New Haven, Ind.-Woodlan) transitions to the outfield. Replacing Hostetler is freshman Ariana Chretien (Commerce, Mich.-Walled Lake Northern). Chretien joins the Eagles after an outstanding prep career at Walled Lake Northern, where she was a four-time All-KLAA awardwinner. Rounding out the infield is sophomore Amanda Akles (La Habra, Calif.-La Habra), who will handle primary duties at the hot corner. Akles started every game at third base for the Eagles a season ago, ultimately coming away with MAC All-Freshman Team honors. The La Habra, Calif. product tied for the team lead with 35 RBIs, while hitting .268 at the plate with a .464 slugging percentage. Freshman Danielle Rico (Moreno Valley, Calif.-Grand Terrace) is also expected to get playing time at second and third base, while senior Katy Wyman (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Portage Central) could also earn time at second.
With two of the three starting outfield jobs locked up, the Eagles will look to solidify a starting left fielder early on. First Team All-MAC and NFCA All-Great Lakes Region selection Michelle Kriegshauser (New Lenox, Ill.-Lincoln Way Central) is back in right for her senior season, and fourth as a starter. Kriegshauser is one of the most decorated players in EMU history and has led the team in batting average each of the past two seasons. Last year, Kriegshauser hit a team-best .381 with 56 hits, while tying for the team lead with 35 RBIs. She also paced the team with 24 runs scored and 15 doubles. The New Lenox, Ill. native enters her final go-around as the program record holder in career batting average (.355) and ranked inside the top-10 in home runs, doubles, and RBIs. Following the graduation of Abby Davidson, Hostetler will transition from shortstop to center field in her junior season. An ultra-athletic defender, Hostetler has spent the offseason working with Assistant Coach Kim Burke, perfecting her craft. Offensively, Hostetler set career-highs in doubles, triples, extra base hits, RBIs, and slugging percentage last year. The New Haven, Ind. native has also proven to be a threat on the base paths in her first two seasons as an Eagle, where she has been successful on 17-of-19 stolen base attempts. Left field is up for grabs as the Green and White ready for the season with Saporito, freshman Arielle Anderson (Marion, Ohio-Pleasant), junior Alex Peters (Oscoda, Mich.-Alpena), sophomore Lucy Lopez (Bakersfield, Calif.-Stockdale), and junior Angel Schilke (Saline, Mich.-Saline) vying for the spot.
Several players could earn spot starts in the outfield over the course of the season, but will be most utilized for speed or in pinch running opportunities. Schilke was one of the Eagles' top base runners last season, swiping nine bags, while EMU has to fill the shoes of Elaine Whitbeck, who registered a team-high 12 steals in 2016. Lopez, Saporito, and Hostetler added four stolen bases apiece last season, and will be looked upon to improve on those numbers this spring.
In the circle, first-year pitching coach Andrea Vangoss looks to mix experience with youth as EMU returns three hurlers and adds a freshman. Senior Abbie Minsker (Howell, Mich.-Hartland), junior Trisha Trujillo (Whittier, Calif.-California), and sophomore Nicolle Miranda (Wilmington, Calif.-Port of Los Angeles) are back and ready to build off of career years. Minsker made the most of a career-high 28 appearances, setting career-highs in wins (7), complete games (7), shutouts (2), and innings pitched (86.2). She also more than doubled her previous career strikeout total, fanning a career-best 43 in 2016. Trujillo made 29 appearances, a majority of which came in relief efforts, where she compiled a record of 3-5 and struck out a career-high 45. Miranda rounds out the trio of returners and proved to be the Eagles' ace as a freshman. The Wilmington, Calif. product led the team in wins (9), complete games (11), innings pitched (165.1), and strikeouts (85). Freshman Savanah White (Visalia, Calif.-Redwood) is the lone newcomer to the group, and joins the pitching staff for her first collegiate season. A talented hurler, White brings a number of new pitches and a bump in speed that will keep opposing batters off-balance. In her final prep season, White owned an earned run average of 1.38 in the circle. She also helped her own cause, hitting .458 at the plate and stealing 19 bases.
The Eagles begin the 2017 season this weekend, Feb. 17-19, at the first of two weekends of the EMU Madeira Beach Invitational in Madeira Beach, Fla. Eastern Michigan's first game is against Boston University, Feb. 17, at 9 a.m.
Players Mentioned
3B/1B
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
MI/OF
/ Softball
3B/OF
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
SS/2B
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
1B/3B
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
2B/SS
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
3B/2B
/ Softball
C/OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
2B/1B
/ SoftballThank You, Team 38
Monday, May 07
Overcoming Adversity: A Lauren Holdsworth Feature
Saturday, February 24
Closing Out a Legacy: Michelle Kriegshauser
Thursday, May 18
EMU Softball Signs Alyssa Feiler
Saturday, March 25