Entering the 2002 season, the Shawnee State Softball Team has high hopes of returning to the NAIA National Tournament where they finished 9th in 2001.  The Bears' hopes will once again hinge on a pair of freshman pitchers and solid defense.  

Breakdown By Position

First Base:  Freshman Megan Felts and senior Amanda Crawford will share time at first base, with Crawford getting the majority of starts there.  Crawford started all 43 games for SSU last season.  She hit .283 and drove in 16 runs.  Felts is a power-hitting freshman who will see time on the pitching rubber as well.

Second Base:  Sophomore Candy Pickelsimer started all 43 games at 2nd base last season.  She hit .271 and scored 19 runs.  She stole 12 bases on 14 attempts.  She is extremely solid on defense.

Short Stop:  Freshman Nikki Moore takes over at short stop.  She was an all-district performer in high school and should make the transition to college ball with ease.

Third Base:  Freshman Katie Gunnoe takes over for AMC Player of the Year, Brandy Orsborne.  She earned all-state honors in high school.  She should provide a lot of offensive pop in the middle of the line up.

Left Field:  All-AMC performer, Kristen Graham returns to left field and the lead off position in the line up.  She was second on the team in hitting with a .309 average.  She drove in 15 runs and scored 16.  

Center Field: Sophomore Kristi Coleman takes over in center field.  She is extremely talented both offensively and defensively.  She joined the squad late in the season last year and appeared in four games during the National Tournament. 

Right Field:  Sophomore Keri Bennet once again patrols right field.  She led the team in outfield assists last season and provided many highlight quality plays throughout the year.  She hit .308 on the season.  

Catcher:  Senior Carrie Kyne returns for her third season behind the plate for the Bears.  She hit .260 on the year and led the team with 23 RBI and 15 walks.  Katie Gunnoe could also see some time catching.

Pitching:  Gone are All-Conference honorees Erica Brickey and Ashley Rawson.  However, the Bears have restocked with two very talented freshmen and sophomore Sarah Workman.  Rhonda Sacks will pick up the bulk of the pitching chores followed closely by Megan Felts.  All three are extremely talented and should keep the Bears in position to win game-in, game-out.

Despite his team's youth, Coach Ralph Cole is optimistic about the upcoming season.  "We started out last season with almost all freshmen.  After a 3-8 start we were really able to turn it around.  We'll probably take some lumps early on this season, but I think we'll be alright in the long run."

Shawnee State opens the season on March 25 in Pensacola, FL.  The Bears take on Lindenwood University at the University of West Florida Spring Fling.  SSU opens play at home on Friday, April 12, as they host AMC rival, Cedarville University.