Feb. 27, 2003
One thing to wonder as third-year head coach Megan Bryant leads the Stony Brook softball team into 2003 is if she can top herself once again.
Last season, Bryant led the Seawolves to 25 victories, the most succesful season in the program's history. That total eclipsed Bryant's own record of 21 wins in her first season, the 2001 campaign.
After a season in which five freshmen started 50 or more games, Stony Brook enters the spring of 2003 with a more experienced and knowledgeable squad. With two all-conference players returning, the Seawolves hope to achieve the goal that eluded them in 2002--advancing to the America East Conference Tournament.
A Year Older and Wiser
With no seniors and just one junior on this year's roster, the Seawolves field a very young team for the second straight season. However, five starters return for their sophomore campaign, including All-America East First Team members Kristen Brust and Stephanie DiBiase.
Brust started all 52 games at first base and committed just five errors last season. Not only that, her .280 batting average was second on the team and her 14 doubles set a new single-season record.
"Kristen is the best first baseman in the America East and she will be a force for us offensively and defensively," Bryant said. "She brings so much to the table in terms of ability and attitude and she may very well prove to be the heart and soul of this young team."
DiBiase concluded a stellar freshman campaign as Stony Brook's best hitter with a .338 average. A starter in the outfield in 50 games, she also led the team in hits (54), runs (30), homeruns (6) and stolen bases (20-22).
"Stephanie proved last year that she is the 'real deal' as an outstanding Division I player--at the plate, on the base paths and in the field," Bryant said. "She can do it all and will be counted on to assume a leadership role this season."
Also returning are shortstop Colleen McCarthy, second baseman Marissa Servello and designated player Jane Stein.
McCarthy started 49 games, hitting .219 with 12 RBI. Servello started 48 contests, batting .171 and committing only seven errors.
"Colleen is healthier and stronger than ever and we look for her to really come into her own this spring," Bryant said. "Marissa is solid up the middle for us and will exhibit more range as she is healthier and stronger. She is a line-drive hitter who will surprise people with the pop in her bat this spring."
Stein proved to be one of the Seawolves' best hitters, averaging .261 for fourth-highest on the team and starting 49 games.
"Jane is one of our best returning hitters," Bryant said. "She possesses one of the best arms on the team and can play several positions."
Despite just one season of college experience under their belts, the Seawolves' sophomore class look to be the backbone of the 2003 squad.
"Our sophomores should be ready for what is ahead," head coach Megan Bryant said. "Offensively, we should be able to build on a year's worth of experience for most of our lineup."
Youth on the Mound
One area that has no experience returning is pitching. The Seawolves will be without All-America East honoree Stephanie Poetzsch, who rewrote the Stony Brook record books during her three seasons and led the conference in seven categories, including wins (19), strikeouts (282) and shutouts (10). Also missing is Lindsey DeLaRosa, who made 22 appearances.
Bryant will look to freshmen Angela Andrews and Jessica Paparella to learn and adjust quickly on the mound. Sophomore Amanda Cavitt will also see action.
Andrews was All-League and team MVP at Serrano High School in Phelan, Calif., and should make an immediate impact.
"Angela is a determined player with excellent command of her pitches," Bryant said. "Her control and ability to change speeds will make her a challenge for hitters. She also likes to swing the bat and she can drive in runs."
Paparella received All-Long Island honors her last three years at St. Anthony's High School in Deer Park, N.Y. and also finished among the top 10 Newsday Players of the Year as both a junior and senior.
"Jessica has an incredible work ethic and her desire to succeed is matched by the heart she shows on the mound," Bryant said. "She knows what it will take to reach her goals and she has a great approach to the game and pitching."
Cavitt, a transfer from Siena College in Loudenville, N.Y., served as both a pitcher and shortstop for Spring Ford High School in Collegeville, Pa. Her versatility will come in handy for a team with low numbers.
"Amanda's versatility and college experience are a big plus for our team, especially our young pitching staff," Bryant said. "She could be a true utility player for us this season."
According to Bryant, the entire team will play an important role in both pitchers' success.
"We need to play excellent defense behind a young pitching staff and give them solid offensive support," she said. "We were strong defensively a year ago, but this season we need to be even tougher."
Give Me Five
Five new faces join the Seawolves this season, four freshmen and one sophomore transfer.
In addition to Andrews, Paparella and Cavitt, the Seawolves welcome freshmen Laura Bradford and Hayley Durham.
Bradford, a first-team All-League selection for Big Bear City High School in Big Bear, Calif., will play in both the infield and outfield.
"Laura brings a great deal of intensity and a 'down and dirty' attitude to the field each day," Bryant said. "She is a smart player who can play equally well on the dirt or in the outfield, and she brings speed to our lineup."
As for Durham, the San Jose, Calif., native was named first team All-League three seasons in addition to Best Offensive Player and County Athlete of the Year honors.
"Hayley showed us this fall that she can swing the bat and drive in runs," Bryant said. "It will be important to our infield that she plays to her potential defensively. Hayley possesses a tremendous arm and should be able to handle either corner for us."
Follow the Leader
Not only will Stony Brook miss Poetzsch on the field, the Seawolves will have to fill the void she leaves off the field as well. With no players bringing more than one year of experience, Bryant is counting on an underclassman to pick up the slack.
"One of our greatest challenges this season will be team leadership," she said. "We have players with the capability to step up and provide it even though we are so young. For us to achieve our team goals, those players will have to embrace their roles."
A Little on the Thin Side:
Another hurdle for the Seawolves this season will be their lack of depth. Stony Brook enters 2003 with just 11 players on its roster, compared to 14 a season ago. Staying healthy will be crucial to the team's success.
"Our numbers will require players to be unselfish, make sacrifices and be willing to do whatever is best for the team," Bryant said.
Behind the Plate
The Seawolves' lone returning catcher is junior Stephanie McCarthy, who transferred to Stony Brook from Florida Atlantic University in 2001. Gone is Stony Brook's third-best hitter from last year, catcher Shea Carpenter. Carpenter recorded a .262 batting average and led the team with 24 RBI. However, McCarthy started 20 games and should be much improved after a season with the Seawolves.
"Stephanie worked hard in the off-season on her swing and that effort will be rewarded," Bryant said. "She has good power and is seeing the ball much better. Behind the plate, she works well with the pitchers and will provide leadership to a young staff."
Seawolves' Strengths
Despite their youth, potential abounds for the Seawolves in 2003.
"I like our athleticism, versatility and personality, but I like our potential most of all," Bryant said. "We are looking forward to the season with great excitement and anticipation as we continue to build upon the experience and progress of 2002."
Last year, 14 of the Seawolves' 27 losses were only by one run. According to Bryant, she expects the team to capitalize on all of their chances in 2003.
"If we have good at-bats, strive to hit the ball hard each time and run the bases well, we will be able to make the most of our scoring opportunities."
Striving For Improvement
Stony Brook has come up just short of the .500 mark the past two seasons, finishing 21-23 in 2001 and 25-27 in 2002. Stony Brook has not had a winning season since 1991, when Judy Christ led Stony Brook to a 14-10 record.
"Without question, our two main goals are to reach the .500 mark and qualify for the America East Tournament," Bryant said. "This team has the ability to meet those goals."
