2010 Softball Preview

The Franklin and Marshall softball team has plenty of optimism heading into the 2010 season, looking to improve upon last year’s 16-20, 4-12 CC record.

Graduating six senior starters and two All-Centennial athletes, third-year coach Mike Cooperstein is confident in his player’s ability to adapt to a new game plan. Only one position player, firstbaseman Caitlin Elfring, will be returning to the lineup in the same position as last season.

Despite being a young team - five freshmen out of 14 players - Cooperstein expects big things.

“This is a learning year for our team, but they have been adjusting to our new template wonderfully,” Cooperstein explained. “We will see how their hard work in the off season pays off in the games.”

This year’s seniors and co-captains lead the squad: Caitlin Elfring (infield), Kristina Fietkiewicz (outfield), and Alyssa Yackle (outfield).

“Each season that these girls have played, the team’s record has improved,“ said Cooperstein, “We hope to see this trend continue.”  

Elfring, a standout at the plate, was named NCAA Division III statistical champion for Toughest to Strikeout. She did not strikeout once for the duration of the 2009 season, comprised of 35 games and 78 at bats.

Though the seniors are a big influence on the squad, they are not the only leaders.

“When we cross those white lines on the field,” said Cooperstein, “there aren’t any freshmen or seniors. We work together as a team.”

Over the last few years, Diplomat softball has been on its way up and is expected to explode on the map in the near future.  It is a process, and some of the pieces are already in place.

The goal of the club, as always, is to make the Centennial Conference playoffs, but their motto is not necessarily about winning. As a whole, the team vows to always give everything it has.

“Our philosophy is to have the players appreciate every moment they have on the field,” said Cooperstein.

The Franklin & Marshall women’s softball team opens its 2010 campaign on Thursday, March 18 with a double header at Eastern.

The Diplomats home opener on March 20 launches Centennial Conference play against Washington (Md.).