Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Large roster to benefit Lady Pioneers

Head Coach Michelle Coultas’ 2009-2010 team graduated only two seniors after last season and this year has seven new freshmen. In addition, one recruit from a junior college and one transfer giving her the largest softball roster for a team at Point Park University with 24 girls. “There’s always someone over your shoulder…I have so many girls who are versatile,” Coach Coultas saidThis is different from the team last year who was affected with injures causing girls to play out of their normal position.  Last year’s team was 19-11 overall and 8-7 in the American Mideast Conference (AMC) and barely missed the playoffs.  These new recruits bring more than just depth in the bench. They bring a large deal of talent to the team and to fill many needs. “Our biggest strength is definitely our depth; we have a big squad this year with a lot of talent from seniors to freshmen,” junior outfielder Maeve Gallagher said through an e-mail interview. One of the new members of the team Michelle Navarro, comes from a junior college out of California and is adjusting to the city and its weather.”She comes here with a lot of experience and is mature because she is a junior.  She brings a different type of play because she plays year round,” Coach Coultas said.Another experienced, mature player, Ashley Miller, is a transfer student executing her first year eligibility.  She brings her small game to the team with her bunting and slapping.”She drives the vans for us, she is just another mature nontraditional freshman,” Coach Coultas said. The other new additions to the team are all freshmen.  Ashley Morran comes from Trinity High School in Washington, Pa. and is currently nursing an injury but the coach is expected to have a good four years ahead of her. Teresa Davis, from Fireland H.S. in Vermilion, OH., is a catcher but has not had time to work out with the team because is currently playing basketball.  Lindsey Inzana, Grassfield H.S in Chesapeake, Va, is a pitcher who will add speed and depth to the pitching staff.  Destiny James from Fort Hill H.S. in Cumberland Md. is also a soccer player who will bring speed and versatility to the team.Abby Mathieu from Wheeling Park H.S. in Wheeling W.Va. is an outfielder who brings her small game with her, being a good slapper and bunter. Amber Tutino, Ligonier Valley H.S. from Ligonier Pa., is an outfielder adds a powerful bat to the pitching line up.  Rounding out the new recruits is Brea Magnone from Steubenville Big Red H.S. in Steubenville, OH.,who is versatile, able to play catcher, first base and outfield.”We added so much, anything we were lacking last year I brought in,” Coach Coultas said. “I’m anxious to see what they can do.”Seniors will also be a key this season adding leadership to the team. “This is my first year with all my recruits,” Coultas said.  The first signed recruit by the coach was Lindsey Pesanka. She had a .282 batting average last season with 29 hits and 11 runs batted in (RBI) and is expected to be a strength this season. The team is gearing up this season for a trip to Florida where they will play ten games and once they return, their first scheduled game is March 16, weather permitting.  They have been conditioning since the fall but have picked up the intensity to practicing five days a week since January. “[We] have been weight training, conditioning, and spending a lot of time in the cages getting as many swings in as we can,” said Gallagher. With the versatility, strengths and fresh pitching in the lineup, the expectations for the spring are high for the Lady Pioneers. “[We] have a lot of talent if we stay focused and play as a team then we will definitely make playoffs,” James said in an email interview.

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