2012 Preview: UMass

Massachusetts Minutewomen
2011 Record (A10 Play): 29-19 (14-5)
Returning Position Players: Stephanie Mayne C/IF, Jordan Storro SS, Kyllie Magill 2B, Stephanie Mix OF, Katie Bettencourt OF, Teea Rogers 3B, Christina Della Vecchia IF/OF, Cyndil Matthew OF, Lindsey Webster OF, Tiffany Meeks OF, Paige Hansen IF, Maggie Quealy 1B, Sam Gray C
Returning Pitchers: Sara Plourde, Lindsey Webster, Caroline Raymond
Losses: Meg Carta C, Audrey Boutin 1B
Newcomers: Mikayla Panko OF, Bridget Lemire IF, Anna Kelley 3B, Quianna Diaz-Patterson SS, Allison Kearney OF

Sara Plourde

Caroline Raymond

Cyndil Matthew

Kyllie Magill

Pitching: The Minutewomen's pitching will arguably be it's greatest strength in 2012, although there are still some unknowns after moving past Sara Plourde. Lindsey Webster and Caroline Raymond both had their seasons in the circle cut short by injuries, so they will be looking for a fresh start in 2012. Sara Plourde is the two-time conference pitcher of the year and she has also led the nation in strikeouts the past two seasons. Plourde has carried an enormous load on her shoulders the past two seasons, as she has thrown over 600 innings. Plourde went 27-15 last season with a 1.30 ERA and 498 SO in 295.1 IP. Coach Elaine Sortino is going to look to Webster and Raymond to take some of the load off of Plourde this year. Both Raymond and Webster had flashes of excellence last year, before dealing with injuries. Webster went 0-3 with a 3.85 ERA and 22 SO in 20 IP, though it is worth noting that her appearances came against Tulsa, Washington, and Fresno State all teams that advanced to NCAA Regionals. If Webster can get off to a strong start the Minutewomen could be very formidable in the circle. Caroline Raymond is the other UMass pitcher who was sidelined with injuries last year, as she was able to play in just 8 games, going 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA and 15 SO in 24.1 IP. However if you take Raymond's illegal pitch filled debut (the delivery has been corrected) against Washington out, her ERA drops down to 2.01. Raymond features a excellent changeup and she is an extremely imposing presence in the circle standing over 6 feet tall. Coach Sortino may have the most talented pitching staff in the conference and she will look to them to each provide innings this year so everyone is fresh for a postseason run.

Catching: This is the big mystery for the Minutewomen, as Meg Carta has graduated leaving a big hole at the position of catcher. Sam Gray and Stephanie Mayne may get the first crack at it, but UMass has an extremely versatile roster so a number of different players could step behind the plate including Katie Bettencourt or Quianna Diaz-Patterson. Coach Sortino is going to have to make a decision as to whether she wants the best defensive catcher or the best lineup offensively and it may be a decision that changes depending on the game.

Infield: It is going to be very interesting to see how the Minutewomen's infield shapes up, as the only position set in stone looks to be Kyllie Magill at second base. Magill has been a steady consistent performer for the Minutewomen over her first three seasons and they will look to her to be a leader in 2012. Magill hit .294 with 48 hits, 3 HR, 25 RBI, and 10 SB last year for UMass. She is a triple threat and she could end up hitting in any of the first three spots for the Minutewomen this year. Jordan Storro is the incumbent at shortstop, but she will be pushed hard by freshman Quianna Diaz-Patterson. Both players are extremely athletic and it would not be a surprise to see either one remain in the lineup in a different position. Diaz-Patterson and Storro are two of the fastest runners in the conference and they will make it extremely difficult on opposing catchers. Teea Rogers is back after starting her first two seasons, but freshman Anna Kelley is providing stiff competition for her and it will all come down to who is better on field. The big question for UMass is who will play first base? There are a number of different players who could play there including Maggie Quealy, Paige Hansen, Bridget Lemire, Stephanie Mayne, and Tiffany Meeks. Coach Sortino is going to look for someone in this group to step up offensively and hold down the position.

Outfielders: The Minutewomen return all three outfielders from last year and add former A10 Player of the Year Katie Bettencourt back into the fray along with a few freshmen. Cyndil Matthew is back after a solid sophomore season, which saw her hit .324 with 44 hits, 0 HR, 9 RBI, and 13 SB. Matthew has tremendous speed and she really got things going with her bat at the end of the year for UMass. Lindsey Webster is also back after a solid freshman campaign at the plate. Webster hit .297 with 33 hits, 8 HR, and 23 RBI. Webster is poised for a breakout season in 2012 and all of those totals should be much higher this season. Christine Della Vecchia and Tiffany Meeks are also back after splitting time in left field last season. They will be challenged for playing time with the return of Katie Bettencourt. Bettencourt was Atlantic 10 co-Player of the Year in 2010, after hitting .333 with 51 hits, 7 HR, and 33 RBI. If Bettencourt can return to that level, the rest of the league better watch out. Freshman Mikayla Panko could also push for playing time, as she is extremely athletic out in the outfield.

Schedule: The Minutewomen have a extremely difficult non-conference schedule, but it is one that will pay off at the end of the season come tournament time. UMass opens up the season with three difficult, but RPI boosting weekends of play, as they will face UAB, Louisville, DePaul, Michigan, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Maryland, and Alabama: all teams that advanced to regionals in 2011. Then Minutewomen's schedule gets a little easier in Clearwater, FL, though Chattanooga, Illinois, USF, and Northwestern will still be good quality games for UMass. In conference play, UMass will get 10 games at the friendly confines of the UMass Softball Complex, while they will hit the road for the other 10. The Minutewomen will get St. Joseph's, Temple, and Dayton at home, while they will have to hit the road to face Fordham and St. Louis. UMass has a great schedule that puts them into a good position, but it will all come to down to what they do on the field.

Postseason prognosis: The Minutewomen are shaping up to be a very good squad in 2012 and a bid to regionals along with an Atlantic 10 title are very realistic possibilities. UMass is going to great great pitching, so its success will really come down to how well the offense performs. If UMass' offense is potent this year, the Minutewomen could find themselves playing deep into May and possibly even June. There is too much talent on this team for there to be another off year like last season. The Minutewomen will finish in the top 2 with a slight possibility of 3rd. This team looks very good on paper, but it will all come down to how they perform on the field.