
2010 Goshen College Softball Team
GOSHEN, Ind. – Each of the past three preseasons have been significantly different for the Goshen College softball team.
Two years ago, uncertainty over a season that did not happen sparked a two-plus year rebuilding process that continues today. Last season, the Maple Leafs took to the field again with very few expectations and more unknowns than anything.
As the program continues its drastic transformation under second-year head coach Lee Mast, Goshen now looks for ways to fine tune its game as they look to keep progressing up the Mid-Central College Conference standings.
“In order for us to be successful in the always tough MCC, we will have to cut down on the mental errors and be more aggressive at the plate,” Mast explains. “With more speed on the team this year, we will also have to be much more aggressive on the base paths.”
After finishing 11-30 in 2009, Mast continued to build his roster by bringing in 13 freshmen, many who will find themselves in the starting line up right away. The team gets things started next week as they head south for an 11-game trip to Clermont, Fla.
“This type of trip will allow us to give everyone a chance and see players perform,” Mast said. “This should give me a sense of how competitive we will be this year.”
“We want to be very competitive during the season and be peaking at the end of the year to be ready for the conference tournament,” Mast concluded.
Infield Overview

Junior Leah Lehman
The Maple Leafs will have almost an entirely new look infield when they take the field for the first time in 2010. The biggest loss from a year ago comes after the graduation of shortstop Amy Clem. Clem was a one-woman wrecking crew at the plate, leading the team with a .412 average (.479 in MCC play), four triples, 11 home runs, and 38 runs batted in. Also graduating from the infield was Krystal Duensing who started 23 games at second base after Anne Lehman suffered a broken hand. Goshen will also be without Stormy Holder (.226, 18 RBI) who started most of the season at third base and Ashley Walker (.176) who started 30 games at first and behind the plate.
While it will definitely be a new look, Mast is excited about the talent and versatility of this year’s crop. Mast has converted catcher Ashley Hackman into his starting third baseman. Hackman batted .350 with seven doubles, three home runs, and 27 RBIs at Decatur’s Bellmont High School. Taking Hackman’s spot to the left vacated by Clem will be a combination of freshman Jana Beitler and sophomore Jessica Reed. Reed batted .250 with five home runs and 23 RBIs last season, primarily as a designated hitter.
On the right side of the infield, freshman Britta Abney and sophomore Anne Lehman will battle it out early in the season. Lehman was a solid defensive option last year before her injury, while Abney also has familiarity with Mast having played for him at Goshen High School. Rounding out the infield at first base will be junior Leah Lehman. Lehman hit .315 last season with 11 doubles and 17 RBIs, while seeing action at third, first, and left field. Mast has additional options at first base in senior Jessica Carney and freshman Ame Blankenship and Stephanie Osborn.
The biggest difference in this year’s Maple Leaf roster from year’s past will be depth. Mast has options off the bench and can rotate players based on who has the hot bat.
Outfield Overview

Sophomore Danae Nafziger
Depth is also a strength in the outfield where Mast has a lot of flexibility with a versatile group. Early on, look for freshmen Kat Berg to start in left field with classmate Stacy Klein in center and sophomore Danae Nafziger in right. The trio has incredible speed and may be the quickest outfield grouping in the conference.
The best part for Mast, though, will be the ability to change the outfield rotation based on needs. He has power options in sophomore Liz Berg (3 HR as a freshman) and Bethany Kern, experience in senior Kathryn Schlabach, and competitive winners Jordan Ritchie, Brittany Moser, and Ashley Hasbrouck. All of them will get their chances and could be called upon at any time to give the Maple Leafs a lift.
Catching/ Pitching Overview

Junior Sierra Van De Keere
Apart from Clem, the biggest loss from a year ago was the graduation of Haly (Williamson) King, who is now in her first season on the coaching staff. Williamson was in the circle for 10 of Goshen’s 11 wins last season, while posting an impressive 3.64 earned run average and 83 strikeouts in 148 innings pitched.
After redshirting last year and playing at IUPUI the season before, junior Sierra Van De Keere will take Williamson’s role as the Maple Leafs staff ace. The two-time all state selection at local Jimtown High School, Van De Keere tossed eight no-hitters and two perfect games in her high school career. As a senior, she led the Jimmies to a 23-9 record with a sparkling 0.92 earned run average.
Jessica Reed returns for her second season in the circle for Goshen in 2010 as well. She posted a 5.44 ERA in 81 innings of work last year after a standout career at Centreville High School in Michigan. The Leafs will also have an outstanding option from the left side in freshman Maria Koshmider. The Garaway High School (Sugarcreek, Ohio) standout recorded 26 wins and more than 300 strikeouts over her junior and senior seasons.
As with every other position on this year’s roster, Mast also has options and flexibility in the pitching rotation. Freshman Ame Blankenship, Jordan Ritchie, and Bethany Kern will also see important innings for the Goshen staff. Senior Dianna Stanley has injuries that have her out of the pitching circle and onto the bench as a student assistant coach.
Freshman Kelsey Morris won the starting catcher role in the fall and will see significant time behind the plate. Also looking for time behind the dish will be freshman Kat Berg and Brittany Moser.
This entry was posted on Thursday, February 18th, 2010 and is filed under Main Feature, News, Softball.