March 5, 2010
EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette softball team will open its season in Norfolk, Va. at the Norfolk Tournament on March 6. The Leopards will be chasing a return trip to the Patriot League title game after finishing as runners-up last season to archrival Lehigh. Lafayette was selected to finish fourth in the Patriot League preseason poll.
This season Lafayette welcomes a new coaching staff, led by Jaime Wallin (Queens College '00) who previously coached at Sonoma State. Wallin brings with her Erika Campbell and Brittany Williams, both graduates of Sonoma State.
On the offense, the Leopards welcome back Patriot League Rookie of the Year (2007) and last season's Patriot League Player of the Year, Christina Giamborne. Giamborne led the team with a .385 batting average (second in the league), starting all 46 games at shortstop. She also led the Patriot League in home runs, hitting 14 and finished 17th in the country.
Catcher Stacey Kushner will be back in the line-up along with infielder Kerry Griffin. Kushner had a .348 batting average, second on the team, while Griffin hit for a .308 average.
Lafayette's pitching staff is also intact as senior Kasey Karr returns to the circle. Junior Christine Hilcken will see much more time as Ali Henry returns off an injury. Karr finished the 2009 season with 165.2 innings pitched with 107 strikeouts while Henry pitched 134.2 innings and 109 strikeouts. Karr also was a key batter for the Leopards with a batting average of .317.
On the defensive side, Leopards remains mostly intact from a year ago when it was third in the conference in fielding percentage (.955). Giambrone anchors the infield and will be out there with Kerry Griffin, Gwen Turner and Kristin Garganio. Carly Feiro will be the lone returner in the outfield and is joined by freshman Jordon Parsons and sophomore Cody Kugler.
Lafayette returns 12 letterwinners and eight starters when it opens the season on March 6, in Norfolk, Va. facing Norfolk State, Niagara and St. Bonaventure. The Leopards will host their first home game against Rider on March 10 before traveling down to Osceola, Fla. to participate in the Rebel Spring games.
The Maroon and White open Patriot League play on April 3 when they travel to Army for a two-day double-header. The Leopards host their first league game against Bucknell the weekend of April 10.
The regular season come to a close at Robert Morris on May 9. The Patriot League Tournament begins on March 13 and concludes on May 15.
