WICHITA, Kan. — With momentum swinging in its direction after setting a program record in wins during the Division II era a season ago, the Newman softball team is ready to follow that up with another successful season in 2016.
Janice Esses has taken over the helm of the Jets after 14 seasons leading the program at Bethany College. She looks to keep the Newman squad, which returns nine players with significant starting experience, heading in the right direction after a 17-39 campaign a year ago, with a 7-15 showing in Heartland Conference play.
Fifteen of those wins came in the final 37 games, as the Jets got hot down the stretch, winning four of their final five games to clinch a spot in the Heartland Conference Tournament for the second time.
"It feels like we've got some good talent coming back for this season," Esses said. "We've added quite a few new kids to the team this year too, so it's just working to find that chemistry that you need."
The Jets open up their season at the SAU Softball Invitational this weekend at Southern Arkansas. There, they will face Texas Women's University and Cameron Friday, Delta State and SAU Saturday and Lincoln and Southwest Baptist Sunday.
Season Breakdown (2015 Statistics in Parentheses)
Pitchers:
Returners: Katie Ingles, Sr. (8-15, 4.86 ERA, 37 games, 129 2/3 inn., 97 SO, 63 BB); Jensen Cromer, Jr. (7-14, 5.62 ERA, 37 games, 143 1/3 inn., 70 SO, 49 BB).
Newcomers: Kate Smith, Jr. (At Highland CC: 16-1, 1.66 ERA, 18 games, 97 inn., 70 SO, 19 BB).
Coach Speak: "I feel like that group gives us a strong three. Katie is a senior, Jensen is a junior and Kate is a junior coming into her first year here, so I feel pretty confident with their experience. As long as we're calling good games for them and our defense plays behind them, I think we can do some good things."
Catchers:
Returners: None.
Newcomers: Kendra Mendoza, Jr. (At College of the Desert: .350 avg., 14 RBI, 14 runs, caught 8-of-25 runner stealing, 0 errors); Bayley Horsch, Fr. (Two-time all-league catcher at Andale HS in Andale, Kansas).
Coach Speak: "Kendra is a transfer, so she has some experience coming in. From what I've seen, she does a good job of calling the game, framing pitches, leading the defense. Bayley is a freshman, and she's been doing some good things. She has a bat, and she could definitely help us out offensively."
Infielders:
Returners: Courtney Sartin, Sr. (.333 avg., 5 HR, 23 RBI, 27 runs, .446 slg.); Mikayla Medbery, Jr. (.240 avg., 4 3b, 1 HR, 14 runs, 12 SB); Ellise McGowan, Jr. (.125 avg., 2 RBI, 3 runs).
Newcomers: Adrienne Esposito, Fr. (Four-year letterman at Kapaun Mt. Carmel HS); Alyssa Taylor, So. (Clearwater HS).
Coach Speak: "Ellise we're working a little bit at third and at first, and for not playing there much, she does a good job. Courtney will be at shortstop and Mikayla at second, which makes us really solid up the middle. Adrienne Esposito, we're looking at her on the corners, and she has some power at the plate. Courtney is one of our strongest players on offense. She has that consistency and she's just a tough out. Mikayla is a slapper and does a great job putting the ball in play, and our newer players show some real potential."
Outfielders:
Returners: Taylor Mannis, So. (.336 avg., 14 RBI, 25 runs, 10 SB); Missy Swanson, Sr. (.313 avg., 2 HR, 9 runs in 11 games); Delaney Hiegert, So. (.192 avg., 10 runs, 5 SB).
Newcomers: Rachael Withers, Jr. (At Paris JC: .273 avg., 26 runs, 9 RBI, 9 SB).
Coach Speak: "All four of them are pretty good. We're just working on the consistency right now, but once we get to playing more, that should come around. Taylor led off for us this fall. She's really good with contact at the plate and getting things started. All three of our returners are slappers, so we've got some speed in the outfield. They bring that to the table in the field, and even on offense they'll be able to bring some havoc with their speed."
