Season Preview: Rhode Island

Rhode Island Rams
Record (A10 Play): 19-35 (8-12)
Coach (Record): Erin Layton, 3rd
Returning Starters: Nicole Massoni C, Brittany Julich, Erika Szymanksi IF/P, Kelly Coker IF, Courtney Prendergast SS, Amanda Sbei SS, Alison Hartzell P, Jayshree Narendran P
Other Returnees: Amie Archambault C, Jhokania DeLos Santos IF, Ashley Hutchins UT, Stacy Stanovich P
Key Losses: Leah DiBussolo 1B, Melissa Wilson OF, Jackie Kampmeier UT
Newcomers: Cassie Baker P, Sam Bedore P, Stacey Fox C, Amy Gleason IF, Charlotte Conaway IF, Sam Marks OF, Shelby Marquis OF, Jocelyn Mattison IF, Melissa Parente IF, Fallon Scorpio IF

Outlook:
After falling the very bottom of the A10, the Rams came roaring back in 2010, making the A10 tournament for the first time since their runner-up finish in 2002. URI is a very young squad with just 3 seniors, but only one who  saw significant action. The Rams must replace three quality contributors from last year, but Coach Layton has brought in a large freshmen class. URI is a scrappy squad and really fights in every game, in 2011 they must continue to do so.

The Rams return ace Alison Hartzell in the circle, who has had two solid seasons in the circle finishing 0.500 both years, now it's time for her to do even better. She is once again joined by crafty lefty Jayshree Narendran. Narendran really needs to work on her consistency in the circle, as she is all over the place at times. If she can hone her control she can be a force to be reckoned with. Erika Szymanski returns for her Sophomore season after a solid freshman year, but it will be interesting to see whether she focuses more on her hitting at the plate. Coach Layton has brought in Maine Gatorade Player of the Year in Sam Bedore and Cassie Baker from down the road in RI. I am expecting Coach Layton to really utilize her staff this year to give opponents different looks.

Jayshree Narendran

At the plate, Nicole Massoni and her powerful bat are back for another season to lead the Rams at the plate. She has the potential to put up even greater numbers if her teammates can get on in front of her. Brittany Julich is the other lone returning 0.300 hitter from 2010 and she will once again be counted on to contribute at the plate. Erika Szymanksi is also back to add some pop at the plate and she will be counted on to provide some protection at the plate for Massoni. This large incoming class will hopefully add some speed and power at the plate, as the Rams look to improve on their 2010 marks of 0.254 BA with 32 HR, but only 19 SB. Just like Temple those SB numbers must improve.

Erika Szymanski

The Rams also have some work to do on defense, as they only had a fielding percentage of 0.955. This is a young squad, but with the experience gained from last year, I think we will see a much better defensive squad in 2011. URI needs to be on top of its game defensively, as the pitchers the Rams have will not lead the conference in strikeouts. I can see freshman Jocelyn Mattison making a big impact this year with the Rams both on defense at one of the infield corner positions and at the plate. The Rams have a large, young, roster and could repeat last year's success or have a slight dropoff.

Schedule:
The Rams will start their season off with a bang opening at Louisiana-Lafayette, which will be a tough matchup for the Rams, but one that should make this team better. URI will also have its hands full with games against Arkansas and Penn State. However for the Rams it is all going to come down to how they perform in conference play most notably against Temple, St. Bonaventure, Dayton, La Salle, George Washington, and Charlotte. For Rhode Island to make the A10 tournament, they will need to win as many of those games as possible. Right now it is really tough to predict where the Rams will end up.