Season Preview: Temple

Temple Owls
Record (A10 Play): 19-30 (8-12)
Coach (Record): Joe DiPietro, 3rd (121-226)
Returning Starters: Kristen Marris OF/P, Christina Sykora OF, Ali Robinson OF, Rachel Knable 3B/2B, Kayla Cook C/1B, Samantha Schoell OF, Crystal Nyman P,
Other Returnees: Gina Sciarrone 1B/DH, Melissa Robbins OF, Alysse Pujol OF, Meagan Marley SS/2B
Key Losses: Danielle Fagan SS, Michelle Lerner, Krystle Metzler C
Newcomers: Brooklin White P/1B, Kylie Kristovich P, Devynne Nelons 3B, Sarah Prezioso 3B, Stephanie Pasquale C/1B, Daniele Raneri OF, Kate Roth OF

Outlook:
Once again Coach DiPietro fell a game short of the A10 tournament, this year he may finally make it in. The Owls return most of last year's squad and Coach DiPietro has brought in a large freshmen class. Temple is looking to get over the hump and re-assert itself in the A10. 2010 and the injuries are behind them and the future is looking very bright for Temple.

Crystal Nyman

In the circle, Temple will have the most depth they have seen in a long time. Kristen Marris is back in the circle along with Crystal Nyman and they will have a little more help than last year. Marris was the workhouse at the end of the year, when Nyman went down with an injury. She will likely be the ace in 2011, but she will not have to carry the same sort of load. Kylie Kristovich and Brooklin White join the Owls and they will definitely see some quality innings in the circle as well. If both freshmen can contribute in the circle and Nyman  can bounce back from her injury the Owls are in good shape in the circle. They do not have the shutdown pitching of UMass, Fordham, or St. Joseph's, but the circle should no longer be an area of great concern.

Kristen Marris

Marris is not only the leader in the circle, but also at the plate. She gets things started in the leadoff spot and she is a true triple threat at the plate. I would like to see Marris run a bit more on the bases and that goes for the rest of the Owls as well. 12 stolen bases is a completely unacceptable number for a team, Marris should have that number on her own. Temple needs to be more efficient moving runners over both with SB and sacrifices, as the Owls did not show a great deal of power at the plate. Danielle Fagan and her big bat are gone, but Temple brought in a big bat in freshman Stephanie Pasquale who was an absolute force at the plate in New Jersey. My guess is that she will be in the lineup right away.

Temple was a very average team in 2010, on offense, defense, and in the circle. The best thing about this 2011 team is that they will have great competition this year for playing time. This freshmen class will push the upperclassmen returnees and the Owls should be much improved at the plate. Christina Sykora, Ali Robinson, and Rachel Knable all return and have solid bats. 2011 is going to be an exciting year with this young squad and the Owls should be in a good position for one of the final two spots in the A10 tournament.

Schedule:
Coach DiPietro really stepped it up with the schedule this year, including matchups with Missouri, Illinois, Louisiana-Lafayette, UNC, and a couple of games with Illinois State. That should really get his squad ready for A10 showdowns with UMass and Fordham. By exposing this young squad to tough competition earlier they will be well prepared for conference showdowns. Finishing 5th would be a great season for the Owls, I am not sure they have the firepower to crack the top 4, but I definitely expect to see Temple down in Charlotte this year.