Despite a young roster that featured just two seniors, the 2006 University of Mary Washington softball team experienced a renaissance with one of the best seasons in school history. The pair of seniors - shortstop Erin Rantz and pitcher Abbey Wineland - led the Eagles to 27 victories, just one shy of the school record, and broke numerous season and career records for Head Coach Dee Conway's club along the way.
Rantz, who was later named the UMW Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, closed her brilliant career as the school's all-time leader in career at bats, hits, and doubles. Wineland, perhaps the top pitcher in program history, finished her tenure as the career leader in wins, shutouts, and strikeouts. Rantz and Wineland were far from the lone stars on this team, however. A powerful trio of freshmen - Amy Edmondson, Cathy Hull, and Maureen Murtagh - gave the Eagles one of the strongest longball lineups in the region. Murtagh and Edmondson finished the year with five home runs apiece, as both broke the UMW single season record for round trippers. Hull mashed four home runs and batted a team-high .364 en route to Capital Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year honors. Edmondson was named to the all-league team as well.
The Eagles began the season with a bang, winning five of their first six games. After winning three games at the highly competitive Rebel Games in Orlando, Florida over Spring Break, the Eagles returned home to win eleven games in a row to push their season mark to 18-8. UMW was very strong at home in 2006, winning twelve of their first 14 home games, including a 5-2 win over Salisbury University in which Hull and third baseman Ashley Sifer provided run-scoring doubles. The Eagles continued to impress through the end of the season, winning five of their last seven contests, advancing to the CAC Championship, in which they fell, 2-0, and threatened in the late innings to take the conference crown. The Eagles also topped eventual NCAA Tournament squad Lynchburg College on the road during that stretch, which catapulted the Eagles into NCAA Tournament consideration.
Although UMW didn't receive a bid to the national tournament, it is certain that the foundation for success is in place for the squad. Freshman Nicole Foster turned in a solid rookie campaign in 2006, registering a 10-4 record with a 2.28 ERA. Foster struck out 57 in 80 innings, and limited opponents to a .247 batting average. Sophomore Casey Pherson and freshman Kirsten Rowell provided innings to the team as well, and both will be counted on heavily in 2007. Offensively, Hull batted .364, with 14 doubles, two triples, and four home runs, knocking in 27 runs while scoring a team-high 31 runs. Edmondson batted .310 with five home runs, 13 doubles, and 25 RBI and 30 runs scored. Murtagh had five homers and 25 RBI to complete the youthful trio's power surge.
Juniors Lindsey Painter and Sarah Lance provided stability at second base and behind the plate and will be counted on to step into leadership roles for UMW in 2007 with Rantz and Wineland lost to graduation. Sophomores Melissa Bjorklund (.300), Sarah Axelson (.300), Jamie Clevenger, and Kerri Spaulding continued to provide solid play in 2006, and will be counted on extensively again in 2007. With a potent offense returning for 2007, the Eagles will again, look to challenge for the CAC Championship and bid to the NCAA Division III national championship tournament. The opportunity for newcomers to provide talent and depth, particularly in the pitcher's circle and at the plate, will again give UMW the chance to succeed at a high level into the future.