The Hawks come into 2014 as the defending regular season champions and the runners-up from the 2013 Atlantic 10 Tournament. The Hawks lost a number of key contributors from 2013, but some keys cogs are back and they will once again be a force in 2014. Coach Terri Adams is offsetting the big losses to graduation with an eight member freshman class and one junior transfer. The Hawks may take their lumps early on, but Coach Adams will have them right in the mix at the end.
Losses: Taryn Ashway, Monica Aguilar, Dana Parks, Rochelle Christman, Deanna Stinner, Juliette D'Ambrosio
Additions: Ashley Alden, Emily Rogers, Alex Dominici, Niki Carillo, Bella Picard, Alexis Bush, Alexia Faulkner, Maddie Brunck, Stephanie Chaiser
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| Liz Mendez |
Pitching: The Hawks have lost 2013 Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year Taryn Ashway, but with Liz Mendez back, St. Joseph's is in great shape. Mendez had a breakout weekend at the Atlantic 10 Tournament and frankly deserved Most Outstanding Player, despite the fact that the Hawks did not win it all. Mendez was lights out and if she can recapture that form, there will be no stopping the Hawks in 2014. Mendez went 11-6 with a 2.02 ERA and 114 SO in 124.2 IP. Mendez will need help, so Terri Adams will be looking for Emily Rogers, Niki Carillo, Anna Lauterbach, or Alex Dominici to step up and provide quality innings for the Hawks.
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| Nicole Palase |
Offense: The Hawks dynamic duo up the middle of Sarah Yoos and Nicole Palase will lead the way in 2014. Yoos was the 2013 Rookie of the Year, hitting .375 with 45 hits, 3 HR, 33 RBI, and 2 steals. Palase hit .329 with 48 hits, 3 HR, 33 RBI and 7 steals. For St. Joseph's to be successful, Yoos and Palase will need to lead the way. Maria Ficca, Brandi Harkness, Morgan Earling, and Melissa Ruf will determine how far this team goes. If they can step up and improve their offensive numbers from last year, the Hawks will fly past the competition. Freshman Bella Picard is going to be one to watch for the Hawks and she will likely hold down a key spot in the St. Joseph's lineup.
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| Sarah Yoos |
Defense: Palase anchors the defense at shortstop and she forms a great double play combo with Yoos at second base. Earling looked very sharp at third in Atlantic 10 Tournament, so she'll play an important role once again. Harkness split time at first last year, so she should figure into the mix over there once again. Ficca and Ruf also return in the outfield. The big question mark for 2014 is the catching position. St. Joseph's will need one of its young players to step up and be a wall behind the plate.
Overall Prognosis: The Hawks have a great shot of winning their first Atlantic 10 Championship in 2014, but that will only happen if multiple freshmen and returning players step up.
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