Women's Softball Finishes Season with Seven Game Winning Streak

The Lady Spartans bid farewell to six seniors who led the team to a 22-24 overall and 9-11 ECC record.  There will be big shoes to fill next season starting with Karen Thorne, a four year starter at shortstop, who "was one of the smoothest shortstops to ever play at STAC," said Coach Vano.  "She made everything look effortless."  Thorne also made great contributions at the plate leading the team with 10 homeruns and a slugging average of .633.  She was 1st team All-Conference and All-Region as a junior and was selected 3rd team All-Conference this season.  

 Jess, another four year starter, was "the kind of player every coach wants on their team," commented Vano.  Jess played right field as well as pitched and when fellow senior Jessie Kirsch went down with a season ending injury, she moved to 2nd base.  Gogatz led the team with a .352 batting average, compiling 50 hits, 37 runs and 29 RBI.  As a pitcher, she led the team with 88 strike outs in 20 appearances.  She was a 2nd team All-Conference selection as a junior and was named 3rd team All-Conference this season. 

The Spartans have already felt the loss of seniors Jessie Kirsch and Amanda Brown, who unfortunately ended their career's early due to injury.  Kirsch and Brown were both steady, dependable players for Coach Vano over the past four years.  Brown was batting .309 with 19 RBI prior to her injury while Kirsch compiled 18 hits in 28 games. 

Rapping up the senior class are Shannon Donohue and Kendal George.  Donohue, a 2 year college transfer from Orange Community College, contributed with 39 hits, 7 homeruns and 20 RBI.  George, who had earned a starting spot halfway through the season, was noted as one of the most improved players over the years. 

Although the Lady Spartans will primarily be a young team next season, two promising returnees that had solid rookie campaigns are Jess Rickle and Joy Ferriello.  Rickle, who joins Karen Thorne and Jess Gogatz on the 3rd team All-Conference list, completed her freshman season 2nd on the team with a batting average of .331.  "Jess has a strong work ethic and continued to improve all season," said Vano.  Ferriello stepped into the starting role as catcher due to the loss of Brown and "really stepped up big for us," commented Vano. 

The Lady Spartans, who were hoping their seven game winning streak would carry them into the playoffs, tied for 6th place in the ECC.  They did not have the advantage in the tie-breaker and therefore missed out on post-season play.  Although disappointed by the absence of a post season berth, Coach Vano is excited about the strong finish of their regular season and hopes the winning streak will propel them into next season.  "The team knows what needs to be done to win and how to improve their skill," remarked Vano.