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Women’s Softball

Read the team’s national tournament blog!

FCCJ Stars win the FCCAA State Championship! Read more.

Welcome to the 2008-2009 version of the FCCJ Stars Softball Team. If the fall proves to be any indication, this should be an exciting and successful season. The team was dominating against some of the state’s top club teams and competed very well against Division I and II, four-year programs. The Stars finished the fall on a thirteen game win streak with five of those victories coming against four-year competition. The team worked very hard on strength and conditioning in the off season and has come back looking very strong. Despite having only five sophomores, leadership has been a strength. They have dedicated themselves to making the team a unit and the feeling of family is great. If that team chemistry can be maintained throughout the season, this team will have an excellent chance to reach its championship goals. The thirteen freshmen make up one of the deepest, most talented classes ever at FCCJ. This team should accomplish a great deal this year including helping Coach Jami Lind achieve a rare milestone in winning her 1000 game as a head coach, all at FCCJ. The number going into the season is 970.

Any successful fast pitch team has good pitching as its core. With the current team this looks to be a real strength. The staff is four deep and all were All State players in high school. Kate Vanderham is the lone sophomore of the group. She had an outstanding freshman year with an ERA of 1.14, .398 batting average and earned All American status. The 6’1” lefty should lead the staff. Jamie Brooker, Crystal Chesser and Brittany Eppley will all see significant time in the circle and are all powerful hitters as well so they will be in the lineup most of the time. They are all power pitchers with good movement as well.

Complimenting such pitching with a good set of catchers is essential and this is a real strength of this year’s squad as it is the position with the most experience. Returners Lindsey Palulis and Kat Cameron, a second team all conference selection, handled all of the catching last season and did a great job, but newcomer Kortney Passmore, an all county catcher, has made a big push to be behind the plate a lot. Her powerful arm and bat are definite weapons.

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The infield will have all new faces but looks strong nevertheless. The lone sophomore is transfer Tara Richardson, who looks to play third but could also see time at shortstop as well. Her leadership and intensity make her an integral part of the defense. She will be pushed hard at third by All County Jessica Anderson who has a rocket arm. Catchers Passmore and Palulis could also play third and all of the freshman pitchers can play the corners. Eppley is expected to be at first when not on the mound. She will be pushed there by Brittany Borchert and Tori Landron. Landron can play second or the outfield as well. The middle will be very ably handled by Megan Gillies at shortstop and Alona Personius at second, as well as Sarah Albino who can play either spot. Personius can also play shortstop if needed. Albino brings excellent defense but looks to be a strong candidate to play right field.

The outfield will also be a strength and has some experience to go with the young talent. Cameron is expected to be in left field most of the time while Vanderham will play center field when not on the mound. Jessica Byrd and Brigette Kirschmer will battle for the center field spot when Vanderham pitches, and both could play left or right as well utilizing their great foot speed and strong arms. Albino has the edge in right currently but will be pushed hard here by Byrd, Kirschmer, Brandi Isselhard and GG Gonzalez. The team has great depth and athleticism and has high expectations.

The coaches are also very excited about not only this team’s ability, but also the work ethic and camaraderie they exhibit. The goals are being set high for the 2009 FCCJ Stars in what promises to be an exciting season.

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