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2013 Softball Roster
2013 Softball Schedule
2012 Softball Statistics
With a strong combination of returning players and incoming freshmen, the Capital University softball team should be in the running for its 15th consecutive season at 20 wins or more and for a coveted berth in the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament.
The Crusaders return three seniors and seven sophomores from last year's team that finished 21-17 overall with six victories in the rugged OAC. That group welcomes nine freshmen into the fold.
Last year's team hit 37 home runs and ranked fifth in NCAA Division III in home runs per game (0.97). Head coach Nan Payne, who enters her 15th season at the helm, is confident in the team's ability to drive in runs with both power and speed.
"I'm hoping to pick up right where we left off last year," Payne said. "We've added some more power bats in our lineup this year with some key freshmen. We also have a lot of lefty slappers who will give us more speed. I think we've covered two bases there."
The team will look to its three seniors – Devan Boggs, Katie Neely and Lexi Majoy – for guidance both on and off the field. Despite their youth, Payne is also encouraged by the performance of the sophomores and freshmen in practice so far.
"I think we have the potential to be young, but I don't think we'll be young by any means in terms of maturity," Payne said. "I think we have some great ball players coming in, so we're looking for some great things from some of our freshmen. We have a good group of sophomores who are going to continue to contribute as well."
Capital begins its 2012-13 campaign with its annual spring break trip to Florida. The team will play eight games in a five-day span against seven different opponents, including two against Alma (Mich.), which reached the NCAA Division III Regional fourth round in 2012. On March 15-16, the Crusaders head to Salisbury (Md.) where they'll face No. 24 SUNY Cortland, which also reached the NCAA Tournament last year.
Capital opens conference play at Heidelberg on March 23. The team hosts defending OAC champion and NCAA quarterfinalist Ohio Northern, which is ranked 15th in the NFCA's preseason poll, on April 23 at Clowson Field.
See below for a complete personnel breakdown of the 2013 Capital softball team.
Infield
The infield is led by Boggs, who last season became the fourth All-American in program history after being named to the third team by the NFCA. A shortstop from West Jefferson, Ohio, Boggs led the Crusaders and ranked among league leaders in batting average (.459), slugging percentage (.789), total bases (105), on-base percentage (.500), hits (61), doubles (15) and triples (4). The three-time All-OAC selection also hit seven home runs and is just eight doubles away from becoming the conference's all-time leader in that career category.
Majoy (Huron, Ohio), who returns as a starter at first base, was named honorable mention All-OAC after posting a .352 batting average, a .985 fielding percentage, six home runs and 31 runs batted in, tying Boggs for the team lead in that category.
Sophomore Brooke Billings returns as the team's primary starter at second base. The Clyde, Ohio, native recorded a .263 batting average with 10 runs and five RBIs in 57 at-bats.
Sophomore Maura Rose (Williamsport, Pa.) enters her second season as the starting catcher. Rose hit six home runs and knocked in 17 while registering a steady .994 fielding percentage behind the plate. She hit .289 in 36 games (34 starts).
Sophomore LeAnna Cotton (Okeechobee, Fla.) is the team's lone returner with experience at third base. Cotton played in 29 games with 20 starts last season, collecting 14 hits, including five for extra bases (three home runs).
Sophomore Emma Caputo (Columbus, Ohio) appeared in 13 contests last season and is competing for an infield spot.
Freshmen infielders: Katlyn Simpson (3B/SS, Loudonville, Ohio/Hillsdale); Lacey Romero (C, Mechanicsburg, Ohio/Mechanicsburg); Brooklyn Staten (2B, Grove City, Ohio/Grove City); Therese Becker (C, South Euclid, Ohio/St. Joseph Academy); Sarah Nist (C/3B, North Canton, Ohio/Hoover); Jourdan Hager (3B, Galloway, Ohio/Central Crossing); Ashley Knowles (1B, Canton, Ohio/East Canton); Ciera Williams (INF, Galloway, Ohio/Central Crossing).
Outfield
Sophomore Kelsey Swain (Pickerington, Ohio) returns as a starter in the outfield and will likely take over the center field spot vacated by Jessica Stoltz. Swain earned second team All-OAC honors in 2012 after hitting .387 with 41 hits, 41 RBIs and four stolen bases.
Payne said Swain has added a power dimension to her game.
"Kelsey has come back a lot more mature and is a big leader out there … she's really vocal," Payne said. "She picked up a little bit more speed and is now a weapon at the plate. She now swings a stick as well as dropping those bunts and slaps in."
Neely also returns as a regular contributor in the outfield. She started 21 of 27 games she appeared in last season, knocking three doubles and scoring 11 times.
Cotton and sophomore KeyAnna Spratling (Fairborn, Ohio) are the team's other returners in the outfield. Spratling played in three games last year, scoring two runs and knocking in one.
Freshmen outfielders: Romero; Staten; Knowles.
Pitching
Sophomore Alyssa Patznick (Newark, Ohio) return as the team's top pitcher from 2012. She contributed a solid 13-5 record in 26 appearances, including 14 complete games, and recorded a 2.85 earned run average. Patznick also showed ability in limited action at the plate, hitting .333 with two home runs and nine RBIs in just 40 plate appearances.
Billings, who was 2-4 with a 5.12 ERA in 11 appearances last season, should combine with Patznick, who struggled with a back injury in the offseason, to form a sturdy 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation.
"Alyssa is pretty much 100 percent, and we're hoping that lasts for the entire year," Payne said. "Right now she's good, and she's throwing just as hard as where she left off before she was injured last year. Brooke has some killer movement in her pitches, and she's come a long way this year."
Boggs also appeared on the hill in three contests last year and may be used primarily in relief situations.
Freshmen pitchers: Simpson.
