Butler softball had an up and down 2012 season, but they were able to knock off eventual champion Valparaiso in the Horizon League Tournament. The Bulldogs could be strong contenders for the conference tournament this season, as the top three pitchers all return. Jenny Esparza could be an early favorite for pitcher of the year next season. The Bulldogs also return a lot of offensive power, so it will be interesting to see how they fair. Butler did not play any games with Atlantic 10 schools last year.
In other news, Temple has signed three players for next season, including Leah Lucas 2B of the SoCal Diamonds who was previously mentioned here, along with Annie Marcopolus OF of the Newtown Rock, and Jessica Tolmie, a pitcher from New South Wales, Australia. These three will join fall signee Kelsey Dominik, as the Owls will look to build off of their 3rd place regular season finish in 2012. They will be counted on to replace one of the most talented classes in recent Temple history: Rachel Knable, Melissa Robbins, Samantha Schoell, Alysse Pujol, Christina Sykora, Meaghan Marley, and recent addition Capri Catalano.
Of note: the Atlantic 10 has had foreign players in the past including 2004 Canadian Olympian Kaila Holtz of UMass who was a 2-time pitcher of the year. The A10 has not had a player from Australia in the past, so Jessica Tolmie will be the first. Tolmie will be a bit of a mystery to everyone going into next season.
Elsewhere Jen Sansano will be transferring from St. Bonaventure. Always a pleasure to watch in the circle and we wish her well as she moves on to her new school.
If you have any offseason news, please email atlantic10softball@gmail.com
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