CSR (2006 Calvin Softball Outlook)

CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR MARCH 13, 2006
(second spring sports preview in a series of six)

2006 Calvin Softball Outlook
(Written by Drew DeVries)

The Calvin softball team, led by head coach Deb Bakker who has 23 years of
combined coaching experience, will have a few questions to answer as the
upcoming season approaches. Following a 25-13 mark finishing second in the MIAA
final standings while posting a 13-3 conference record, the Knights will strive
for another strong season. Calvin took second in the four team MIAA tournament
losing to Alma twice but beating rival Hope twice.

Reaching the 25-game win plateau was the highest since the 1997 run but may be
a little more difficult this season as Calvin graduated several players from
last year's team.

"We have several brand new players and a lot of questions concerning the new
season but our spring break trip will help figure some things out," said
Bakker.

Calvin's team this year will feature only one senior, shortstop Jeanne Cole
(Fountain, Mich.), who will definitely be looked to for leading this team. Last
season, she was named MIAA's Most Valuable Offensive and Defensive Player
after batting .425 for the year scoring 37 runs and knocking in 12. On the
bases, she was nearly perfect in swiping bases as she stole 13 out of 14
attempts. Along with an outstanding job at the plate, she recorded at .957
fielding percentage with only six errors.

Coach Bakker will specifically look to her for leadership. "She is a
phenomenal player; an All-Region Player with a great arm, great bat, and great
fielding."

Another important returnee is sophomore Cori VanKoevering (Hudsonville, Mich.)
who plays first base. As Bakker said, "She did an excellent job as a freshman
and it's good to have some experience returning."

Calvin's other returning players include juniors Erin Conrad (Grandville,
MI) and Chandra Fynaardt (Pella, IA) and sophomore Samantha Ehlert (Rockford,
MI). Conrad started in 25 contests for the Knights posting a .286 batting
average scoring nine times with six runs batted in. Fynaardt appeared in 28
games batting .240 while knocking in a pair of runs. Ehlert finished 5-11 at
the plate appearing in 17 games.

As a whole, experience will be what the Knights will be lacking this year. Of
the 12 players on the Calvin roster, six are freshmen. The Knights return one
pitcher in Ruth Anna Spooner (Twin Falls, Idaho). Despite battling an injury
last spring and missing time, Spooner recorded a 2-1 record with two saves and
a 0.74 ERA in league play. Overall, Spooner was 8-1 with two saves in 15
appearances while posting a 0.52 ERA. During the MIAA tournament, she posted 16
scoreless innings over a span of three appearances compiling a 2-0 record.
Spooner will provide experience and leadership towards the two incoming
freshman pitchers, Carly DeGroot (Sunnyside, WA) and Kristin Folkerts (Grand
Rapids, MI).

Calvin will also feature freshmen at the third base, second base, and catcher
positions with Brittany Moriarity (Muskegon, MI), Mallory Scholten (Grand
Rapids, MI), and Amy Tiejema (Grand Rapids, MI) respectively. The outfield will
consist of another new face as well in Loren Scarbrough (Antioch, IL).

Despite all the new faces, Bakker still has confidence in her team. "The
players are doing an excellent job defensively and offensively. But it has all
been indoors so far preventing us from any outfield practice and dealing with
factors like the sun and wind. This just all takes time. But this team is an
exceptional group of players and this year will be a lot of fun."

The Knights will begin their season in Tucson, Arizona as they take part in a
doubleheader against Dickenson State Saturday, March 18. Calvin's first
conference game is scheduled for April 5 when they head to Olivet for a 3:30
p.m. game.

Calvin will host conference foes Kalamazoo, Tri-State, Albion, and Hope while
traveling to Saint Mary's, Adrian, and Alma, who is ranked 19 in the
pre-season NFCA national poll.

The two-day, double elimination MIAA tournament is scheduled for May 5 and 6
once again at the field of the league's regular season champion.

Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Mon Mar 13 17:17:43 2006