2012 Preview: Temple

Temple Owls
2011 Record (A10 Play)
Returning Position Players: Devynne Nelons 3B, Sarah Prezioso SS, Stephanie Pasquale C, Danielle Ranieri OF, Kate Roth OF, Kayla Cook C/1B, Ali Robinson OF, Gina Sciarrone 1B/DH, Rachel Knable 3B/2B, Melissa Robbins OF, Samantha Schoell OF, Alysse Pujol OF, Christina Sykora OF, Meaghan Marley 2B
Returning Pitchers: Brooklin White, Kylie Kristovich
Losses: Kristen Marris P/OF
Newcomers: Capri Catalano P, Jessica Mahoney P, Julia Kastner 2B/OF, Alex Stermel 1B/OF, Lacey McKeon OF


Pitching: Kristen Marris was Temple's all everything last year, leading off for the Owls and pitching a majority of innings in the circle has graduated, though her strong legacy at Temple will always remain. Coach Joe DiPietro will have quite a few options in the circle, including returnees Brooklin White and Kylie Kristovich and newcomers Capri Catalano and Jessica Mahoney. Capri Catalano is the big wildcard, as detailed here. Catalano could give the Owls a powerful dominant ace, capable of shutting down almost any lineup. Catalano throws the ball with some heat and she could lead the Owls to new heights. Brooklin White also figures to see quite a bit of action again in the circle again in 2012, she went 5-9 with a 8.06 ERA and 33 SO in 61.2 IP. Her biggest key will be cutting down on walks, as she averaged more than one per inning. Freshman Jessica Mahoney joins the Owls and she is an imposing presence in the circle. Coach DiPietro will be counting on her for some key innings this year. Kylie Kristovich also figures to see more innings this year.

Steph Pasquale

Catching: Stephanie Pasquale returns after her outstanding rookie season and Coach Joe DiPietro will count on her to hold down the fort behind the plate once again in 2012. Pasquale had an outstanding freshman season hitting .363 with 49 hits, 6 HR, and 35 RBI. She was also a force defensively, as she threw out 17 baserunners trying to steal, while allowing just 25 steals. Samantha Schoell could also see some action behind the plate for the Owls.

Rachel Knable

Infield: The Owls return all their infield starters from 2011 and this will be an area of strength for Temple once again in 2012. Sarah Prezioso is back after an impressive freshman season which saw her start at shortstop in every game, in addition to hitting .293 with 41 hits, 9 HR, and 25 RBI. Coach DiPietro will look to her once again to produce on offense. Rachel Knable returns for her senior season at second base and she too will look to build on a solid 2011 season, as she hit .288 with 36 hits, 4 HR, and 25 RBI for the Owls. Devynne Nelons returns to third base for Temple and they will look for her to continue her steady play at the hot corner. Gina Sciarrone is back at first and Meaghan Marley is back at designated player. These five returning starters will be pushed for playing time though by a number of different players, including Kayla Cook, Alex Stermel, and Julia Kastner.

Ali Robinson

Outfield: All the starters return for the Owls in the outfield and it is shaping up to be a real talented group in 2012. Leading the way is Ali Robinson in center field. Robinson will likely lead off for Temple this year and she will be looking to build on her 2011 numbers. Last season, Robinson hit .234 with 33 hits, 6 HR, 19 RBI, and 6 steals and these are all numbers she can improve in 2012. Also back is Christina Sykora who had an outstanding 2011, which saw her hit .321 with 35 hits, 3 HR, and 22 RBI. Coach DiPietro will be counting on her to put up those solid numbers once again. Samantha Schoell is the other returning starter for Temple after hitting .234 with 29 hits, 2 HR, and 15 RBI. These three will be challenging for playing time by a talented trio of freshmen in Julia Kastner, Lacey McKeon, and Alex Stermel and returnees Daniele Ranieri, Kate Roth, and Melissa Robbins.

Samantha Schoell

Schedule: Temple's schedule has definitely been turned up a notch and if they can pick up the wins, it might be enough for an at-large bid. Highlights of the non-conference schedule include a trip to the Citrus Classic, where they will face Michigan and Purdue among others and a double header with regional rival Penn State in April. As far as its conference schedule, Temple will be home for 10 games and on the road for 10 games. The Owls will host just Fordham out of last year's Atlantic 10 Tournament participants and they will have to hit the road to take on UMass, Dayton, St. Joseph's, and Charlotte.


Postseason prognosis: Unless something unforeseen happens, Temple will be in St. Louis in May. The two big questions will be what position they will finish in and can they advance past St. Louis? Temple has an outside shot at finishing first in 2012, but more realistically they will finish somewhere between 3rd and 6th. The Owls are going to be solid offensive team once again, but the big key for them will be pitching. If the pitching is there the rest of the league better watch out.