Meghan Laughlin ranks second in SOU history with a .398 career average, including a .463 average last year.
2/1/2010 1:11:15 PM
With not many holes to fill in a team that went 22-15 last year, the Southern Oregon softball team looks to keep getting better as they open up the 2010 season this week in Southern California.
The Raiders travel to Vanguard Thursday, CSU San Marcos Friday and Point Loma Nazarene Saturday. Both CSU San Marcos and Point Loma Nazarene were ranked last year in the NAIA Top 25.
Southern Oregon will be without All-American Strohm Fouty - who graduated - but return Cascade Conference All-Stars Meghan Laughlin, Jordyn Kurtz and Kathryn Moy.
“Missing Strohm is a big deal and we need to find someone to take over that leadoff role,” head coach and 2009 Cascade Conference Coach of the Year Kim Fritts said. “But overall I really like our chemistry and the leadership we have this year. They are focused and have set some high goals for themselves.”
Leading the group of returners is Laughlin, a junior outfielder. Laughlin set a school record last year with a .463 batting average and also added a .667 slugging percentage and a .479 on-base percentage. She also had a team-high 33 RBI’s.
Moy, a sophomore, will move from full-time designated hitter last year to starting leftfielder this year and will try to fill Fouty’s spot at the top of the SOU lineup. Moy hit .373 last year with just eight strikeouts.
Newcomers Sarah Wharton (Jr./Ontario, Ore.) and Danielle Batson (Jr./Pateros, Wash.) will battle for time in rightfield.
The Raiders added some much needed depth to go behind Kurtz. As a freshman, Kurtz earned All-Conference honors by going 21-14 with a 2.32 ERA and struck out 188 hitters. With the bat, Kurtz hit .364 and was second on the team with 25 RBI’s.
Karri Johnson (Jr./Delta, B.C.), Jessica Flores (Fr./Corning, Calif.) and Lauren Keel (Fr./Fullerton, Calif.). give the Raiders three quality pitchers behind Kurtz.
“To come in and put up the numbers that Jordyn did as a true freshman is amazing,” Fritts said. “This year we won’t need her to pitch every inning and that really help her for the long haul.”
In the infield, the Raiders are counting on senior Karla Alvarez at third, senior Justine Fulton at shortstop, freshman Rayna Strom-Okimoto at second and senior Bailey Price at first base. Senior Danielle Stratton, who has played both third and first for the Raiders, is recovering from a preseason injury.
Emily Matekel and Sara Stenson will handle the catching duties this year.