Feb. 27, 2008

SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State expects to have a well-established lineup and plenty of depth heading into the 2008 softball season, which begins Saturday with a double-header against Winona State in Ocoee, Fla.

The Lakers, who finished 7-33 overall and 2-18 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 2007, will play 18 games nine days during its upcoming spring break trip. After their opener against Winona State, they take on 13th-ranked Grand Valley State and Assumption on Sunday, and play a twinbill against 24th-ranked Rollins on Monday.

LSSU has power in the lineup with sophomores Nichole Dunford, who was named 2007 GLIAC Freshman of the Year, and Amber Kern, juniors Katie Brandt and Nikki Christensen, and senior April Brandt. Dunford, a catcher/designated hitter, batted .280 with eight home runs and 19 RBIs last season. She batted .340 against GLIAC opponents.

April Brandt batted .250 and Christensen .241 during the 2007 season. Katie Brandt batted .343 with 46 hits and 45 RBIs in 49 games for Kalamazoo Community College last year.

LSSU's projected starting lineup includes a Christensen and Dunford battery, Kern at first base, junior Rachel Hall at second base, Katie Brandt at third base, and sophomore Lacey Knoop and freshman Chelsea Maynard splitting time at shortstop. April Brandt returns as LSSU's starting center fielder, and she will be flanked by junior Helena Zandarski in left field and freshman Jenny Elliott in right field.

Senior Jessi Ordiway is also a catcher, while senior Erin Hulett is finally healthy after battling injuries for two years and contribute at any position. Sophomore Lorrie Chaperon, a transfer from Glenville State, is an infielder, while rookie Chevie Peralta-Everts can play infield or outfield and is a solid power hitter.

Christensen is expected to take over as LSSU's No. 1 pitcher this season after starting 12 games and totaling 61 strikeouts in 2007. LSSU also returns senior Stephanie Reveley, who started seven games last season. First-year pitchers are Elliott, who had a 0.30 ERA for Frankfort High School last season, and Claire Ostrowski, who had a 1.71 ERA for Boston-Huron High School.

"Pitching will determine our success," said Don Myers, who is in his 19th season as the Lakers' head coach. "We have greater depth and a team that can hit much better than in the past two or three years. We hope to improve on our fall season, when we went 9-9. We will start with a set lineup, but will have the ability to substitute quality players who want to excel when given the opportunity."

LSSU will play a four-game homestand beginning April 19 against 25th-ranked Ferris State.