It may be hard to believe, but it is time to bring out the bats and play some softball. The women's softball team starts their season Friday with the first two of five games in New Mexico. The Bulls will face Loyola at 9 a.m. and UT-Arlington at 2 p.m.
Last season, Buffalo finished 16-42, though it was a respectable 5-6 at home. However, the Bulls lost 17 of 20 road games and dropped 19 of 27 games at neutral sites. With the disappointment of last season, the Bulls look to improve this year and make it back to the Mid-American Conference Tournament, for the first time since the 2005 season.
"We have a positive outlook," said Bulls head coach Marie Curran. "We're not looking back on last year. We're working hard to get it done right."
Curran felt that there was too much pressure last season. This year, she made sure the players faced less stress.
"We're just going to get to go out and have fun and play ball and relax a lot more this year," Curran said. "The wins and losses will come. We're pretty confident there are going to be a lot more wins."
The Bulls lost shortstop Lauren Picciano, the teams Most Outstanding Player last season, and outfielder Lisa Wheat to graduation. They have three seniors on the roster this season, all of which are expected to play major roles.
"Mary Russell is definitely going to make another major contribution," Curran said. "She has been a three-year starter for us. She has a phenomenal work-ethic and is really excited about her senior year."
Senior infielder Colleen Greene may start at five different positions throughout the season as Curran adjusts the lineups.
"She is one of the versatile players we have and definitely one of the most committed to our program," Curran said. "Colleen will do whatever we ask of her for us to win ball games."
Senior pitcher Sophie Barstad returns after leading the Bulls on the mound with a 3.04 earned-run average. At the plate, she also led the team in runs batted in with 27.
Yet, the Bulls' biggest offensive threat is expected to be sophomore Erin Zilka. She led Buffalo with a .303 batting average and seven home runs. Zilka was rewarded for her achievements when she was named to the MAC All-Freshman team at the end of last season. Curran is afraid that opposing teams may pitch around her.
"There is no doubt that Erin is going to be a great player at UB," Curran said. "She will also be the girl that everyone knows is our best player offensively. A lot of people are going to avoid her and do things differently than she had as a freshman."
Zilka changed positions during the off-season, moving from left field to catcher. She now is involved in every play, which Coach Curran hopes will help her avoid a "sophomore slump" when she does get the opportunity to hit.
"It's not like standing in the outfield thinking about your at-bat," Curran said. "She just gets up and reacts. Her natural skills as a hitter are amazing."
There are 10 newcomers on the team, eight of which are freshmen. Three freshmen are expected be put into the starting lineup right away.
"Sharon Barr, Kristen Gallapini, and Katie Ivancich are all very talented," Curran said. "We are expecting them to make an impact as freshmen."
Barr, from Coarsegold, Calif., was named league MVP at Yosemite Union, a school that won its league championship last year. Gallapini was named first-team all-state for New York last season, while Ivancich was named to the first-team all-state for Indiana.
There is various position battles going on at many different spots, making the players work harder for playing time. Curran expected to change the lineups a little for each game in New Mexico over the weekend to give many different players a chance to show their abilities.
"They know every time they are competing for a starting position and to get on the field, it's for the good of our team," Curran said. "They are pushing each other harder than we've ever seen. It's making our upperclassman that much better."
After their two games today, the Bulls play New Mexico State, UT-El Paso, and Central Michigan throughout the weekend. Due to weather conditions, the Bulls will play their games in February and March on the road. They do not have a home game until April 4, when they host Pittsburgh for a doubleheader.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
