By Mitch Blankespoor
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Entering her second year at Kalamazoo, Head Softball Coach Sue Mattice and her Hornets are ready to begin the 2014 season.
Kalamazoo finished 2013 with a 6-20 record including a 3-13 mark in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play. According to Mattice, the Hornets are headed in the right direction as a program.
"We were happy with our season last year," said Mattice. "We improved so much throughout the year and our team moral was very high."
Kalamazoo adds depth at key positions it did not have a year ago. Despite having no seniors on this year's roster, Mattice believes the roster is continuing to improve from a year ago.
"Our returners have a lot of experience," Mattice said. "Our incoming freshmen class is a very hard working group."
Six members represent the junior class including two of Kalamazoo's offensive leaders last season. Abby Anderson started 25 of K's 26 games in 2013 and boasted a .384 batting average. The Gurnee, Ill. native also led the team in slugging at a .630 clip. Maddy Sinkovich averaged .342 behind the plate while starting every game in the Hornet outfield.
"Abby [Anderson] and Maddy [Sinkovich] were our offensive leaders last year," Mattice said. "We expect the same this season."
Taylor Clements pitched nearly every inning before Mattice arrived at Kalamazoo. In 2013, Clements split time with sophomore Victoria Najacht. The Kalamazoo native pitched 84.1 innings in 2013 with a 7.22 earned run average (ERA).
Emma Patrash started at 2nd base while Grace Mathieu played in the outfield in 2013. Kalamazoo will benefit from the services of Querubin Dubois in 2014. The Coldwater native missed last season due to injury, but played on the women's basketball team this winter.
"Emma [Patrash] can play almost any position for us," said Mattice. "Taylor [Clements] has pitched a lot of innings in a Kalamazoo uniform and we will rely on her again this year. We are also excited to see what Q [Querbin Dubois] and Grace [Mathieu] can do for us."
The five members of the sophomore class all saw significant time in the starting lineup in 2013. Najacht pitched 72.2 innings with a 7.22 earned run average. Dana Page started 25-26 games behind the plate while batting .300 with two home runs.
"Victoria [Najacht] is a great leader for us and a very hard worker," said Mattice. "Dana [Page] did a great job managing the pitching staff and is just an all-around solid catcher."
Paige Maguire, Megan Malish, and Rachel Epstein round out the sophomore class. All three started over 20 games last year.
"Megan [Malish] made the transition to shortstop and played the position well all year," Mattice said. "Paige [Maguire] and Rachel [Epstein] both play strong in the outfield for us."
Kalamazoo welcomes six freshmen to the program. They will push the returns and fight for starting positions.
"The freshmen class we brought it fits well with the composition of our team," Mattice said.
Kalamazoo begins the non-conference portion of its schedule with the spring trip to Clermont, Fla. The Hornets will play 10 games from Mar. 22-27 with two of the opponents, St. Catherine and Colby, familiar to Kalamazoo. The Hornets will also play two double-headers against non-conference opponents during the conference season (Apr. 21 vs. Defiance and Apr. 27 at North Park).
"We will get to play against many teams we have not seen before," Mattice said. "The games later in the season give us a chance to play in some great facilities."
Kalamazoo opens the MIAA season Apr. 3 at Trine, the three-time defending conference champion. The Hornets then host Hope for a doubleheader Apr. 5 before three road series with Albion, Calvin, and Adrian. Kalamazoo's final three conference doubleheaders are at home versus St. Mary's (Ind.), Alma, and Olivet.
"We have a tough series to start," Mattice said. "We did have several close games in conference last year, and this time around, we know what to expect."
Sue Mattice expects her team to improve this season, but she is not talking about wins and losses.
"We believe the process leads to the outcome. Our team philosophy is to be the best student, person, and teammate possible. Players in our program need to represent themselves, their team, and Kalamazoo College in a positive manor. My goal as their coach is to create a positive experience not only for the game, but for life."