Mavs Head to Georgia
Feb 24, 2005 | Softball
The University of Nebraska-Omaha softball team will head to Kennesaw, Ga., to open the season in the Kennesaw State Owl Classic. The un-ranked Mavs will play three games Friday and two Saturday before returning home.
New season, different look
When the 2005 NFCA Preseason Top 25 poll was released, UNO may have been left off the list, but that doesn't mean the Mavericks don't bring the experience and credentials necessaryto once again contend for North Central Conference and NCAA II honors.
The Mavericks are returning their full pitching staff and eight position players along with the addition of five strong freshmen. In addition, Head Coach Jeanne Tostenson is confident that the team has made huge strides in changing its approach to the game in order make it through a tough schedule and attaining their goal of qualifying for nationals. UNO, 47-11 last year, advanced to the NCAA II regional tournament in Tostenson's fifth season as the Mavericks' head coach.
UNO will have to go to work right away, meeting No. 2-ranked Kennesaw State in its second game of the season. Playing in one of the toughest regions in the country, UNO will play a trio of ranked opponents numerous times throughout the year including No. 4-ranked and NCC foe St. Cloud State, No. 16 Missouri Western, and No. 19 Emporia State. The Maverick pitching staff, combined with its tenacious defense and high-powered offense will be the keys to success.
Pitching Staff Returns
The Maverick pitching staff will essentially have the same look after returning all starters from last year's squad. With a junior, two sophomores and one freshman, Tostenson expects all four to compete for time in the circle.
Sophomore Taren Tuley (Holton, KS, Holton HS), is coming back from a shoulder injury that hindered her during the 2004 season. According to Tostenson, Tuley is still not 100 percent, but is working hard to get in the mix. In 2004, Tuley carried a cool 2.02 ERA and compiled a 10-2 record while striking out 97 batters in 79 2/3 innings pitched.
Sophomore Cheris Kuster (Roca, Neb./Norris HS) set a school record with 259 strikeouts last year to earn 2004 NCC Freshman of the Year honors while leading the team with a 1.17 ERA and a 19-7 record.
Junior Jenny Pritchard (Boone, Iowa/Boone HS), will also look for time in the circle. Pritchard finished 2004 with a 1.69 ERA, going 18-2 for the Mavericks. Tostenson notes that "Jenny has worked very hard in the off-season by adding a new pitch to her arsenal and becoming more consistent with her old pitches."
Freshman Cayte Billman (Papillion, Neb./Papillion-LaVista HS) comes to UNO from one of the winningest high school softball programs in the nation. The four-time softball state champion finished her prep career with a 48-10 record, posting a 0.47 ERA. Tostenson believes Billman will play well against tough competition and have confidence in the circle.
Around the infield
Even after switching things up last season, Tostenson believes there are a lot of positions that have two starters and that the infield is still not set.
All-NCC pick Nicole Vos (Ralston, Neb./Ralston HS), returns at shortstop after belting 10 home runs and ripping 31 RBIs. Vos has great range and a strong arm, combined with her offensive power. Tostenson expects the four-year starter to resume her role as a leader and to quarterback the infield.
Kellyn Kramolisch returns to her second base slot after leading the team in runs (42) and hits (64). The speedster from Omaha recorded 14 stolen bases on 15 attempts and will serve as one of UNO's base stealing threats.
Missy Kelly (Omaha, Neb./Millard North), will also look for time at second base. Primarily used on the base paths, Kelly scored 17 runs, stealing two bases for the Mavericks in 2004.
Junior Lauren McArthur (Hazelwood, Mo./Hazelwood West HS), returns to first base after moving from right field a year ago. McArthur led the team in doubles and finished with five home runs, recording a .301 batting average. Billman will also see time at first base when she's not pitching.
Junior Shilo Jorgenson (Lafayette, Colo./Centaurus HS), returns at third base, but injuries could keep her sidelined from some games. Jorgenson led the league with a .475 batting average. Freshman Leslie Svoboda (Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Pius X), will add depth to the third base position and will be trying to adjust to the new spot after playing shortstop in high school. Svoboda, an All-Nebraska first-team selection, hit .437 her senior year.
Outfield Brings Depth
Despite returning an experienced outfield, the positions are up in the air. Sophomore Kelsey Warning (Fairview, Ill./Belleville East), is still recovering from a shoulder injury, but is back on track to jump back into the defensive lineup after serving as a designated player last season. In 2004, Warning carried a .345 batting average, rapping eight home runs and adding a team-best 46 RBIs.
Senior Erin Bluml (Papillion, Neb./Papillion-LaVista HS), returns after starting 29 games last season. Katie Novotny, a junior southpaw from Omaha, earned 2004 all-NCC honors while starting 35 games in right field.
Sophomore Sara Sortino (Papillion, Neb./Papillion-LaVista HS), a 2004 all-NCC selection, started 54 games in both left and center field while batting .307 with a team-leading three triples.
Freshman Alison Jergenson (Lincoln, Neb/Lincoln Southeast), a three-sport star in softball, basketball, and track, brings tremendous speed to the outfield. Tostenson regards Jergenson as one of the fastest players she has coached. In high school, she batted .359 with 34 runs, 52 hits, 17 RBIs and 27 stolen bases.
Behind the plate
With the graduation of two catchers, UNO will be forced to start a freshman, but Tostenson is pleased with the progress both have made in the off-season.
Brianna Cataudella (Hoffman Estate, Ill./Lake Park HS), was a three-sport letterwinner in softball, basketball and soccer and led Lake Park to a second-place state meet finish.
Mandi Daigh (Overland Park, Kan/Blue Valley West HS), was an All-Kansas catcher and batted .486 with 39 RBIs. Tostenson said that both catchers have very strong arms and the ability to pick off baserunners along with good communication skills and control behind the plate.
New season, different look
When the 2005 NFCA Preseason Top 25 poll was released, UNO may have been left off the list, but that doesn't mean the Mavericks don't bring the experience and credentials necessaryto once again contend for North Central Conference and NCAA II honors.
The Mavericks are returning their full pitching staff and eight position players along with the addition of five strong freshmen. In addition, Head Coach Jeanne Tostenson is confident that the team has made huge strides in changing its approach to the game in order make it through a tough schedule and attaining their goal of qualifying for nationals. UNO, 47-11 last year, advanced to the NCAA II regional tournament in Tostenson's fifth season as the Mavericks' head coach.
UNO will have to go to work right away, meeting No. 2-ranked Kennesaw State in its second game of the season. Playing in one of the toughest regions in the country, UNO will play a trio of ranked opponents numerous times throughout the year including No. 4-ranked and NCC foe St. Cloud State, No. 16 Missouri Western, and No. 19 Emporia State. The Maverick pitching staff, combined with its tenacious defense and high-powered offense will be the keys to success.
Pitching Staff Returns
The Maverick pitching staff will essentially have the same look after returning all starters from last year's squad. With a junior, two sophomores and one freshman, Tostenson expects all four to compete for time in the circle.
Sophomore Taren Tuley (Holton, KS, Holton HS), is coming back from a shoulder injury that hindered her during the 2004 season. According to Tostenson, Tuley is still not 100 percent, but is working hard to get in the mix. In 2004, Tuley carried a cool 2.02 ERA and compiled a 10-2 record while striking out 97 batters in 79 2/3 innings pitched.
Sophomore Cheris Kuster (Roca, Neb./Norris HS) set a school record with 259 strikeouts last year to earn 2004 NCC Freshman of the Year honors while leading the team with a 1.17 ERA and a 19-7 record.
Junior Jenny Pritchard (Boone, Iowa/Boone HS), will also look for time in the circle. Pritchard finished 2004 with a 1.69 ERA, going 18-2 for the Mavericks. Tostenson notes that "Jenny has worked very hard in the off-season by adding a new pitch to her arsenal and becoming more consistent with her old pitches."
Freshman Cayte Billman (Papillion, Neb./Papillion-LaVista HS) comes to UNO from one of the winningest high school softball programs in the nation. The four-time softball state champion finished her prep career with a 48-10 record, posting a 0.47 ERA. Tostenson believes Billman will play well against tough competition and have confidence in the circle.
Around the infield
Even after switching things up last season, Tostenson believes there are a lot of positions that have two starters and that the infield is still not set.
All-NCC pick Nicole Vos (Ralston, Neb./Ralston HS), returns at shortstop after belting 10 home runs and ripping 31 RBIs. Vos has great range and a strong arm, combined with her offensive power. Tostenson expects the four-year starter to resume her role as a leader and to quarterback the infield.
Kellyn Kramolisch returns to her second base slot after leading the team in runs (42) and hits (64). The speedster from Omaha recorded 14 stolen bases on 15 attempts and will serve as one of UNO's base stealing threats.
Missy Kelly (Omaha, Neb./Millard North), will also look for time at second base. Primarily used on the base paths, Kelly scored 17 runs, stealing two bases for the Mavericks in 2004.
Junior Lauren McArthur (Hazelwood, Mo./Hazelwood West HS), returns to first base after moving from right field a year ago. McArthur led the team in doubles and finished with five home runs, recording a .301 batting average. Billman will also see time at first base when she's not pitching.
Junior Shilo Jorgenson (Lafayette, Colo./Centaurus HS), returns at third base, but injuries could keep her sidelined from some games. Jorgenson led the league with a .475 batting average. Freshman Leslie Svoboda (Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Pius X), will add depth to the third base position and will be trying to adjust to the new spot after playing shortstop in high school. Svoboda, an All-Nebraska first-team selection, hit .437 her senior year.
Outfield Brings Depth
Despite returning an experienced outfield, the positions are up in the air. Sophomore Kelsey Warning (Fairview, Ill./Belleville East), is still recovering from a shoulder injury, but is back on track to jump back into the defensive lineup after serving as a designated player last season. In 2004, Warning carried a .345 batting average, rapping eight home runs and adding a team-best 46 RBIs.
Senior Erin Bluml (Papillion, Neb./Papillion-LaVista HS), returns after starting 29 games last season. Katie Novotny, a junior southpaw from Omaha, earned 2004 all-NCC honors while starting 35 games in right field.
Sophomore Sara Sortino (Papillion, Neb./Papillion-LaVista HS), a 2004 all-NCC selection, started 54 games in both left and center field while batting .307 with a team-leading three triples.
Freshman Alison Jergenson (Lincoln, Neb/Lincoln Southeast), a three-sport star in softball, basketball, and track, brings tremendous speed to the outfield. Tostenson regards Jergenson as one of the fastest players she has coached. In high school, she batted .359 with 34 runs, 52 hits, 17 RBIs and 27 stolen bases.
Behind the plate
With the graduation of two catchers, UNO will be forced to start a freshman, but Tostenson is pleased with the progress both have made in the off-season.
Brianna Cataudella (Hoffman Estate, Ill./Lake Park HS), was a three-sport letterwinner in softball, basketball and soccer and led Lake Park to a second-place state meet finish.
Mandi Daigh (Overland Park, Kan/Blue Valley West HS), was an All-Kansas catcher and batted .486 with 39 RBIs. Tostenson said that both catchers have very strong arms and the ability to pick off baserunners along with good communication skills and control behind the plate.
Players Mentioned
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C
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OF
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2B
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P
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1B
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OF
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P
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OF
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IF
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P
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SS
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OF/DP
/ SoftballWednesday, August 26
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, August 21
Tuesday, April 21
