The Mary Washington College softball team will look to continue its resurgence in the new millennium, back to the power the program was in the early 1990's. With several quality players returning to the field in 2000, Coach Dee Conway's Eagles should, do just that.
With the loss of just one senior - albeit a very talented one - to graduation, the Eagles rerum a strong nucleus who hopes to challenge for conference and regional notoriety. Departed senior Janet Oldis ended her career last Spring as one of the top four-year performers ever at MWC, batting .337 in being named all-conference for the third time in three years, in her third different position. Oldis' leadership, as well as her play on the field, will be missed.
Heading the list of returnees is 1999 Capital Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year, Jen Lee. The third baseman/shortstop set an MWC record for season batting average a year ago, hitting at a .451 clip, and also added team highs in hits, triples, home runs, and total bases. A complete player, Lee also registered a team-high eight stolen bases as well.
Also back are All-CAC performers Courtney Layman and Meghan Goetz. Layman, who began the season as the Eagles' catcher, ended the year patrolling center field while batting .354, second-best on the club. Layman struck out just twice all season. and committed just two errors in 61 chances. Goetz, a rising sophomore infielder, hit .353 on the year as a freshman, with 24 hits and twelve runs batted in.
The lone senior returning to the fold for 2000 is pitcher/outfielder Stephanie Barnhouse, who barred .294 and ended with a 3.30 earned run average last Spring. The Eagles also welcome back versatile rising juniors Ashley Beck and Melanie Gladden. Beck, who played three positions for the Eagles a year ago, started seventeen games and hit safely in seven of those starts, striking out just twice on the year. Gladden, who can play either infield corner and can also pitch, collected seven hits a year ago, and was MWC's workhorse on the mound, pitching in thirteen of the Eagles' 28 games, best on the team. Gladden pitched to a 5.07 earned run average in 69 innings pitched and struck out 21 batters.
Once again, Coach Conway has recruited a top-notch class' of newcomers for 2000. Each will be asked to contribute, in some fashion, immediately. This year's class promises to be one of the top classes in years at MWC, which will provide several potential starters to the Eagle starting nine. Traditionally one of the top teams in the Capital Athletic Conference, Mary Washington has won five CAC league tides and advanced to the NCAA Division III 'Tournament in the 1990's. The program has improved at every level, with Head Coach Dee Conway leading the way.