From the Bench: Lack of depth places softball team in a bind
By: Jonathan Webb
Issue date: 3/18/10 Section: Sports
The few veterans on Webster University's softball team are going to need to put together a collective career year.
Without it, this team is probably headed for a year of underachievement.
One year after the Gorloks advanced to the NCAA regional finals before losing to Gustavus Adolphus College, WU looks like a shell of its former self, and not just in offensive production.
The heart of the batting order is lost with the graduation of Dana Vahey and Kelsey Washam, but the team's roster is incredibly thin, with the Gorloks dressing just 11 players.
The Gorloks were shown just how difficult the year could end up being in their season-opening trip to Florida, as they posted a 3-5 record, featuring three consecutive shutout losses.
The team lacks a cleanup hitter, a steady power hitter in the three-hole and any semblance of depth.
The first two couldn't be prevented - Vaheys and Washams don't grow on trees. The third could.
Coach Chris Eaton inherited a deep, talented team and took them to new heights last year. But he has not replenished the talent well this season.
The Gorloks' 11-player roster is the smallest in the entire St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, which is hard to figure considering the team's recent success combined with WU's locale in comparison to the rest of the SLIAC.
If Blackburn College, who is a reliable doormat in the conference standings and is located in rural Illinois, can field a 14-player team, why can't the Gorloks? WU also had a roster of 14 last year.
Having such a small roster this season places enormous pressure on the few impact players that remain from last year. Senior pitcher Megan Sperry, who collected two of WU's three wins while the team was in Florida, was 14-6 with a 1.37 ERA last season.
A similar showing may result in just a .500 record due to the lack of offensive punch this year. If Sperry and the rest of WU's pitching staff take a step back, WU may not contend.
Small numbers also lead to a limited ability to develop the program for future seasons. Players will be asked to play multiple positions, and the team will be dealt a crucial blow if a player misses time due to injury.
Senior outfielder Cassie Mosier, a table-setter last year, may be counted on for more extra-base punch this season.
This is a problem that will not go away unless a much larger contingent of recruits descends upon WU next year.
If WU had a cadre of freshmen to groom this year, they would avoid becoming dependent on a freshman-laden team next year.
But instead, they will be strained both in the short- and long-term.
For the Gorloks' small team this year, the goal will have to be proficiency on the field, and perfection in health.
Anything else, and WU could be headed for one of the more disappointing one-year lapses in the team's existence.
Without it, this team is probably headed for a year of underachievement.
One year after the Gorloks advanced to the NCAA regional finals before losing to Gustavus Adolphus College, WU looks like a shell of its former self, and not just in offensive production.
The heart of the batting order is lost with the graduation of Dana Vahey and Kelsey Washam, but the team's roster is incredibly thin, with the Gorloks dressing just 11 players.
The Gorloks were shown just how difficult the year could end up being in their season-opening trip to Florida, as they posted a 3-5 record, featuring three consecutive shutout losses.
The team lacks a cleanup hitter, a steady power hitter in the three-hole and any semblance of depth.
The first two couldn't be prevented - Vaheys and Washams don't grow on trees. The third could.
Coach Chris Eaton inherited a deep, talented team and took them to new heights last year. But he has not replenished the talent well this season.
The Gorloks' 11-player roster is the smallest in the entire St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, which is hard to figure considering the team's recent success combined with WU's locale in comparison to the rest of the SLIAC.
If Blackburn College, who is a reliable doormat in the conference standings and is located in rural Illinois, can field a 14-player team, why can't the Gorloks? WU also had a roster of 14 last year.
Having such a small roster this season places enormous pressure on the few impact players that remain from last year. Senior pitcher Megan Sperry, who collected two of WU's three wins while the team was in Florida, was 14-6 with a 1.37 ERA last season.
A similar showing may result in just a .500 record due to the lack of offensive punch this year. If Sperry and the rest of WU's pitching staff take a step back, WU may not contend.
Small numbers also lead to a limited ability to develop the program for future seasons. Players will be asked to play multiple positions, and the team will be dealt a crucial blow if a player misses time due to injury.
Senior outfielder Cassie Mosier, a table-setter last year, may be counted on for more extra-base punch this season.
This is a problem that will not go away unless a much larger contingent of recruits descends upon WU next year.
If WU had a cadre of freshmen to groom this year, they would avoid becoming dependent on a freshman-laden team next year.
But instead, they will be strained both in the short- and long-term.
For the Gorloks' small team this year, the goal will have to be proficiency on the field, and perfection in health.
Anything else, and WU could be headed for one of the more disappointing one-year lapses in the team's existence.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 8
Anonymous
posted 3/18/10 @ 5:19 PM CST
Webster University should be ashamed to allow an article like this to be written about one of their athletic teams. Maybe Jonathan should have done research to learn exactly how many players were committed to Webster and how and why they ended up with 11. (Continued…)
Player..
posted 3/18/10 @ 10:30 PM CST
I am a member of the Gorlok Softball team.. I am also a new player here at Webster. I think that this article should NOT have even been allowed to run. (Continued…)
Anonymous
posted 3/18/10 @ 11:13 PM CST
The New York Yankees definitely have had a great program and dynasty in the past. However, I do not believe that they will go much better than .500 in the upcoming seasons. (Continued…)
Russian Wives
posted 3/21/10 @ 4:39 AM CST
Indeed an informative article.
Softball Guru
posted 3/22/10 @ 2:34 PM CST
"WOW" was the only thing that came to mind when I read this article. Written by a Webster University journalist/student no less.
Let's start off with some of Mr. (Continued…)
joe wuzerbacher
posted 3/22/10 @ 8:16 PM CST
you people need to learn the difference between a news story and a column, and the difference between a cheerleader and a sports writer.
Executioner
posted 3/23/10 @ 9:20 AM CST
Yah,and you people "JOE" need to learn the difference about writing and supporting columns like they were for highly paid professional athletes instead of "student" athletes!!!
Even paid sports columnist don't write stories about their home team degrading the coaches & what players can or can't do. (Continued…)
Ted
posted 3/24/10 @ 11:26 AM CST
"Today at practice we talked about the article and it just has motivated us to be even better than we already are"
Good to hear, but your team should not have to use a column to get motivated. (Continued…)
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