Feb. 16, 2005

VILLANOVA, Pa.---On Friday, Feb. 18, the Villanova softball squad will open its 2005 season when it faces Fordham at the East Carolina Pirate Classic, as the team begins its quest to slug its way to a sixth consecutive trip to the Big East Tournament. The Pirate Classic spans three days and has the Wildcats facing the likes of the Rams (Friday at noon), as well as Ohio (Friday, 2 p.m.), the College of Charleston (Saturday, 9 a.m.) and Radford (Saturday 1 p.m.) with championship rounds taking place on Sunday.

The team is ready to face the challenges of this season's schedule, which includes the usual Big East Opponents, as well as four tournaments versus non-conference opponents to prepare the team for its Big East schedule.

"The Big East Conference is gaining national recognition, and that's what we've been striving for." DiBernardi said. "The conference is the strongest one on the east coast and we're ranked in the top seven or eight conferences for softball each year." The Wildcats are eager to begin the 2005 season in hopes of increasing that recognition.

Villanova returns six starters and two pitchers from the 2004 team, which went 32-26 overall and 12-8 in league play. Villanova's conference record was good for a second place tie in the regular season standings and earned it a No. 3 seed in the conference championships. This year, the team is looking for even more success, in the form of the program's first Big East Title.

"Our goal, of course, is to win the Big East Tournament," said head coach Maria DiBernardi. "This is the team that can do it. There is a great chemistry with this group of upperclassmen. They are focused; they work hard and are on a mission. Most of the team has been in post-season play and knows the right balance of intensity and composure needed to compete at the championship level."

This year's team is different from the others in that the classes complement each other. With the experience of the seniors comes the speed of the freshman. And the return of Lisa Krueger, who took a medical red shirt last season, is another huge asset for the `Cats.

"If we didn't have Lisa back, we would have another big gap to fill," stated DiBernardi. She is an awesome contact hitter and a great player for us because she gets RBIs. When we have runners on base she will bring them around to score."

"I am quite impressed with the incoming freshman," DiBernardi noted, "they have speed and power and all come from great programs."

Returning to the pitcher's mound are seniors Shannon Williams and Kristen Haynes. Last season the pair combined for a 1.55 ERA which ranked third in the Big East. Both seniors earned Pitcher of the Week accolades during the 2004 season, and Williams pitched the second perfect game in school history on April 8 against Drexel. Haynes was honored after throwing her first career no-hitter on April 5 versus Virginia Tech.

"They are without a doubt two of the top pitchers in the Big East," DiBernardi stated. "Our pitching is superb. They know how to work batters and are very confident in their pitches. What will help us this year is that we have more depth in the pitching rotation thanks to sophomore Tiffany Ross and freshman Kat Walsh. This should help keep our starters fresh and healthy."

Splitting time behind home plate will be Cassie Koenig and Veronica Alvarez. Alvarez, a senior that hails from Miami, Fla., started just 16 games last season due to a nagging thigh injury, but is ready to assume duties as one of two starting catchers. Koening started most of the 2004 season and gained valuable experience from her time behind the plate.

Included in the returning starters is senior Kari Koller, who returns to first base. Last season, Koller led the team in slugging percentage (.510), on base percentage (.399), RBI (27), home runs (nine) and walks (29). Koller is five home runs shy of setting a new school record for career home runs.

"Kari Koller can hit for power", Dibernardi said, "She is a contact hitter with a great eye and a great defensive player that reads batters well. Between her and Sarah Wall (at third base) we will have a very secure infield."

After finishing her senior season in 2004, Ricci Lugo left a gaping hole in the midfield, which Krissy Yauch will likely fill. Yauch has experience in second base and will compete for time there along with freshmen Jessica Curtis, Carolyn Brown, Jackie Dempsey and Greta Holmgren.

"Whoever is hitting will be in the starting lineup," DiBernardi explained, "They all play second base well."

Starting at shortstop will be sophomore Sheri Donley, who is coming off an incredibly successful freshman campaign. Donley played in 57 games and acquired the experience necessary to lead the team to championship play.

"Sheri is the best shortstop in the league," DiBernardi noted. "She is a phenomenal player who covers so much ground between second and third base. She has a fantastic arm and a quick release."

Anchoring third base will be senior Sarah Wall. Last season she committed just five errors on her way to a .971 fielding percentage.

"Sarah has the quickest reaction time of anyone I've ever seen," DiBernardi said. "She is a defensive player and is the best third baseman in the Big East. She is also a clutch hitter. If the game is on the line and Sarah is up to bat...I'd put my money on Sarah."

There is a hole to fill in left field, left by Robin Flier. Sophomore Lindsey Martin and newcomer Kayla Felty will vie for time at the position.

"Lindsey has good speed and she can hit," DiBernardi explained. "She saw playing time when Lisa Krueger was injured and she did a terrific job for us as a freshman. Kayla has adjusted very well to college pitching and is a great addition to the outfield. Brown, Curtis, Dempsey and Tessa Paolini are utility players that will give us added depth and the ability to manipulate our offense and defense to win games. The Wildcats will enjoy the luxury of being deep in every position."

Krueger will start in the outfield as well, while Allie Wisniewski returns to patrol the right field.

"Allie has a great arm and the ability to hit the ball out of the park," DiBernardi stated. "She hits well to all fields and is a smart base runner. Krissy has proven that she can play all three fields and could see time in the outfield as well."

The Wildcats are ready to make the 2005 season one to remember. With the range and depth of talent, they are poised for a wildly successful season.

"If there was one year that we had the team to go all the way, this year's team is the one that can do it," DiBernardi said.