Feb. 7, 2001
The 2001 season opens with promise for the South Dakota Coyotes women's softball team. The Coyotes, who have had two winning seasons in the past three years, recorded a 29-34 mark a year ago. With the return of nine starters and a host of talented newcomers, South Dakota has the potential to make some noise in the North Central Conference in 2001.
According to sixth-year head coach Kim Zarling, South Dakota will be strong up the middle, feature several outstanding hitters including all-American Tiffany Davis, and highlight veteran pitching. But Zarling believes that the team's ability to jell together - team cohesiveness - will be the telling factor of a Coyote team striving to teach the NCC's upper echelon. And, Zarling likes what she has seen so far. "They are playing together very well, understanding each other's strengths and weaknesses and showing great respect for each other," said Zarling, who has compiled a 157-150 (.511) record while at South Dakota.
The Coyotes, who lost three starters and eight letterwinners from a year ago, return 10 letterwinners, including the nine starters. The Coyotes will be led by four senior co-captains, including Davis (C/3B, Hawarden, Iowa), NFCA second team all-region performer Jessica Bills (C/RF, Sioux Falls, S.D.), Jaime Kremer (CF, Grand Junction, Colo.) and Melanie Robotham (SS, Seward, Neb.). Davis, Bills and Kremer are three-year starters while Robotham, a transfer from Nebraska-Kearney three years ago, has started two years at South Dakota. Other returning starters include Julie MacRunnels (RF, Sioux Falls, S.D.), Amie Mertens (2B, Ham Lake, Minn.), Tiffany Hopkins (3B, Cannon Falls, Minn.), Janice Alswager (P/SS, Columbus, Neb.) and Tiffany Hill (P, Sioux Falls, S.D.).
"This season we have to set the tone, by taking more risks on the bases, pressuring opponent's defenses, while increasing our aggressiveness at the plate," said Zarling, who helped lead the Coyotes to a school record for wins (40-22) and second place in the southern division of the NCC (5-3). She was the NCC and North Central Region Coach of the Year in 1998. "I really feel that if we play to our potential we should finish in the top three in the conference. However, it is a very competitive conference. The key will be our ability to develop cohesiveness as a team. And, from what I have seen so far, things look good on this team. They are working as a unit and have set team goals without worrying about what they will do individually," she said.
OFFENSE: Davis, who will hit cleanup and play catcher and third base, is one of the best players in the NCC and NCAA Division II. She comes off a season when she hit .358, including 12 home runs, 56 RBI, 37 runs and 120 total bases. She had 10 doubles and five triples among her 64 hits in 179 at bats with a .670 slugging percentage. MacRunnels, a sophomore, will bat third. A year ago, MacRunnels hit .302 with 11 doubles, 38 runs scored, and 61 hits in 202 at bats. Bills, who is recovering from an offseason injury, will be another important contributor on offense. The only left-handed bat in the lineup, she will hit either fifth or sixth. Bills hit .297 with 47 hits in 158 at bats. Mertens (.283 BA, 30 hits, 106 AB) is another player who returns off a solid offensive year. The offense will benefit from the addition of newcomer Sara Medved (Shoreview, Minn.), who will bat leadoff and is a solid contact hitter. Kremer (.250 BA, 26 hits, 12 RBI) and Leanna Chapman (.267 BA) will also provide speed and good power.
PITCHING: With sophomore pitchers Hill (11-13, 2.98 ERA, 13 CG, 44 SO and four SHO) and Alswager (13-12, 2.64 ERA, 14 CG and four shutouts), the Coyotes return solid experience and two pitchers who now have a full year of experience in the NCC.
For the Coyotes to take the step into the upper division, Hill and Alswager need to have solid seasons and show the ability to take over games. "They need to work on staying focused throughout the course of the game and work on finishing off a batter, inning or game depending on the situation," said Zarling.
Besides the talented sophomores, Zarling expect two newcomers to contribute immediately to the pitching staff. Medved, who will also be a designated hitter or play in the outfield, utilizes a drop, rise, curve and change-up in a wide pitching repertoire that includes good speed and movement. Another newcomer, Cara Ellwanger (Rapid City, S.D.) has a drop, change and curveball and will be asked to provide middle and late inning relief pitching.
"This year we should have more options, allowing us the opportunity to use players in a variety of roles, depending on the situation, which should keep our opponents guessing on pitch selection and pitch speed," said Zarling.
DEFENSE: Zarling feels her squad is strong up the middle, with catching probably the strongest area because of the presence of Davis (.970 field percentage, six errors, 115 putouts, 80 assists) and Bills (.986 field percentage, two errors, with 115 putouts and 22 assists). Robotham (.921 field percentage, 70 PO, 81 assists), will play a key role for the Coyotes from the shortstop position. Zarling calls her a "smart player" and the "director of our infield." Hopkins (.878 field percentage, 11 errors, 27 putouts and 52 assists) and Mertens (.925 field percentage, 113 putouts, 84 assists, 16 errors) will handle second base, Davis and freshman Mollie Witherbee (Omaha, Neb.) will handle third base chores while freshman Keri Bolte (Ralston, Neb.) and Kaja Martinson (Burnsville, Minn.) will take care of first base duties. The outfield will have great speed and solid arms in the outfield. Chapman, (Rapid City, S.D.) has great foot speed and Kremer is making the transition from left to center field. MacRunnels had 11 assists as a freshman starter a year ago.
