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Softball 2018 season preview

alabamagrizzly

Well-known member
2018 Softball Preview
Well it's that time of year again. The season is just a couple weeks away and even though these girls have accomplished so much in their first three years, they are about to overcome one more daunting hurdle for the first time. There has been a coaching change in the offseason and for the first time since the team's inaugural opening day, a brand new person is in charge of our girls, sorta. This team has been together a long time though, and despite a couple of key departures, they should definitely still be in contention for a BSC title and return trip to NCAA tournament.

2017 Season Recap
Last year again we watched this team accomplish new highs just like every previous season. For the second year in a row the right to host the con tourney was settled on the last weekend between Montana and Weber St. Again last year, Montana needed a sweep but couldn't muster a win in the 3rd game and Weber won the right to host. Unlike 2016 though, Montana steam rolled through the competition in the con tourney earning its first ever BSC championship and a trip to softball's version of "The Big Dance" in only its third year. Pitching wise, thanks largely to 1st Team conference pitcher Micheala Hood, there were huge improvements. Defensively we were at the top of the con like usual. Offensively though we slumped some from our record setting year of '16.

Here's a link to last years review.
http://www.egriz.com/grizboard/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=76517&sid=eff3ccca75be554c23480e8c32c09b27

Here's a link to last years stats.
http://static.bigskyconf.com/custompages/softball/2017/um.htm


Player and coaching departures.
Tuff to say which one will have a bigger impact here between Pinkerton and Olea. Not taking anything away from Pinks but Bethany was that type of player. Here's a list of the personnel that won't be returning this year.
Jamie Pinkerton/coach.
Has built this program up from the foundation to BSC champs in just three short years. Was the 1st ever BSC coach to win back to back coach of the year awards doing so in '16 and '17. In three years at Montana he went 80-85 with one con championship. His recruiting prowess and coaching abilities have set this program up for years of dominance of the BSC. Melanie Meuchel is taking over after Pinkerton's departure to Iowa State. The transition should be seamless considering Meuchel has been here since the beginning. She already showed some recruiting savvy by not losing any of the recruits that Pinkerton had been working on. The home grown Missoula Big Sky product may be here a while considering she is now stating this is her dream job now that the reality is setting in.
Bethany Olea/3B.
Going to be some very tuff shoes to fill. Olea has been my fav since the original recruits were announced. In three years in the league, she earned a 2nd team conference honor and two 1st team honors at 3B. Right behind Colburn in almost every offensive category for her career, she's among the all time league leaders in batting average, doubles, and walks. Her .416 BA last year ranks as the 9th single best and her 35 walks were good for the third highest single season total. My all time fav memory of Grizzly softball will be seeing her get emotional after hitting a single in her last at bat in the last inning of their last game. I love the drama of sports.
Sydney Stites/RF.
A bit of a gut punch right after getting hit with a right cross with the Pinkerton announcement. Stites decided to follow her coach to Iowa St which is also her parents alma mater. Earning 1st team all league honors and Fr of the Year in '16, she suffered a bit of a So slump last year. She finished her Montana career with a .321 BA and a .551 slg %. She's also our second Fr of the Year to leave the team after their So season following Lexie Brennies departure last year.
Sara Stephenson/P.
Leaving to go closer to home in California. After her Fr year, it looked like she was going to be the ace of the future earning 2nd team honers. Then Micheala Hood came along and plans changed. She is currently Montana's career leader in wins with a 19-10 record until Micheala earns her 1st and 2nd wins of the 2018 season tying and then breaking the record. As of now she is currently 2nd behind Hood in almost every other pitching category.

Projected starters for 2018
1B Sr Ashlyn Lyons
About to be one of four 4 year starters. She is a 3 time honerable mention all con team and a career .300 hitter, but this year may be a breakout year for her. After slumping in non con play last year, she rattled off a .365 BA against conference foes. She's also an outstanding fielder with a .987 career fielding percentage.
2B Sr Gabby Martinez
Another 4 year starter starting 157 games all at 2B. Last year she earned her first con recognition receiving honerable mention. She's a career .236 hitter but last year she hit .265. With 38 career stolen bases, she ranks 8th all time in the con and her 18 stolen bases in '15 ranks 9th on the single season list. She also has a .971 career fielding percentage.
3B Sr Tori Lettus/Fr Jessica McAlister
This will be an interesting decision for Melanie to decide who replaces Olea. Tori Lettus will be a Sr and is the only experienced infielder on the team to step into the vacancy. But as a career .208 hitter in 218 at bats with 63 k's, her bat has definitely needed improvement. She did have a excellent fall, like most everyone else, but I see the Fr Jessica McAlister taking the lead at 3rd. She may struggle early on in the non con schedule but I believe she will be good and settled in by the time con play comes around. With good power and a high batting average in high school that carried into fall ball, I see her becoming a star in this league. Lettus could also see time at the designated player slot, along with a long list of other girls.
SS Sr Delene Colburn
If you don't know about Delene then you probably ain't reading this write up. When this year is done, she will be considered as one of the greatest Big Sky Con softball players of all time. A 3 time all-con selection with one honorable mention and two 2nd team selections (last year SHOULD have been a 1st), this year a league MVP may be added to her resume. With the single season doubles record under her belt already, she's looking to break the con career marks in games, at bats, RBI's, and doubles. She's already 2nd in homers (she ain't catching the leader) and could finish as high as 2nd in hits and runs. Her .692 career slugging percentage is also 4th place all time. Her .933 career fielding percentage while playing 162 career games at SS is pretty darn impressive too.
LF So Anne Mari Petrino
The So had a decent Fr season last year after fully taking over LF once Alex Wardlow moved to center for the injured McGill. Batting .245 on the year, she started hot (.421 first 7 games), slumped (.097 next 15 games), and then finished well (.321 in last 12 games). She has a great glove too, not committing a single error in 39 starts.
CF Sr MaKenna McGill
One of the main x factors on this team. First, will she be recovered enough from her knee injury to play this year and not be forced to RS (she sat all fall but all indications say yes). Second, will she return to her Fr and So level of play or will she still be struggling like she was pre-injury her Jr year. A two time 2nd team all con selection, she is a 3 year starter in CF and an amazing defensive asset regardless of how she performs at the plate. Not committing an error since her Fr year, she has a career .989 fielding percentage. A career .320 hitter, her batting average dipped from .375 in 2016 where she set a con record for at bats in a season with 203, to .195 last year. She also currently ranks 12th in the con in career runs and 11th in stolen bases.
RF Sr Alex Wardlow/So Kylie Hayton
Who plays here depends on if McGill is healthy or not. It may also depend on the development of some of our Fr. Most likely Alex Wardlow is the front runner here with her experience. A career .233 hitter in her 163 AB's, she's also a career .938 fielder. If McGill has to sit, then either Wardlow or Kylie Hayton could both replace her and the other would likely start here. Hayton played primarily as a PR last year but had a decent fall and has exceptional speed to cover center. Fr Savannah Voyles or Alexis Knauss could possibly be inserted here for their offense also. Knauss does have limited experience in high school with outfield and it wouldn't be the first time we inserted an IF'er in RF for their offensive production (Stites).
C Sr Madison Saacke
The likely starter despite a steep decline from 2016's production. Although she was very solid on D her first year as the starting catcher last year, her BA dropped from .355 in '16 to .251 in '17. She was still honorable mention all con for the 2nd time in her career (1st as a catcher and previously as a utility player for her roll as a DP) which goes to show how well her D was.
Potential DP's
There's a long list here depending on line up adjustments, who's got a hot bat, and just to keep a good rotation so everyone stays involved. Dani Walker (last years most productive DP), Tori Lettus (last years most played DP), Savannah Voyles, Alexis Knauss, Morgan Johnson (the best OBP at DP last year), MaKenzie Phillips, and Maddie Stensby (got some at bats last fall with a homer) all could see time here.

The Reserves
The Infield
Fr Savannah Voyles
After producing insane numbers her Sr year for CMR as a SS and showing signs in fall of carrying that production to the next level, she may not be long for a starting roll. If she stays on the bench, she may be one of the most dangerous pinch hitters in the league.
Fr Alexis Knauss
Another great Fr prospect MI’er. Like Voyles, she showed signs in fall ball of carrying her high school success to the college level. Knauss may have the most tools of any of the Fr with avg, power, speed, and a great glove.
The Outfield
Sr Katie Jo Waletzko
A long time bench player. In three years she's primarily been used as a pinch runner scoring 25 runs.
Sr MaKenzie Phillips
Off and on as a starter after platooning some with Petrino last year. A .198 batter in 91 at bats with 39 starts under her belt. She's also struck out 40 times.
The Catchers
Sr Dani Walker
A very serviceable backup catcher. Last year she finished as the primary DP. With a .182 career BA, she has a knack for producing RBI's knocking in 21 on 25 hits.
So Morgan Johnson
The Missoula Big Sky product led the team in PH ABs last year with a good eye for drawing walks.

The Pitchers
So Michaela Hood
A season of domination for the Fr phenom under her belt has set her up to go down as the greatest pitcher in the Big Sky cons short history but she will set career numbers that may never be touched. She set or tied every Fr pitching record in the con and destroyed some like the strike out mark raising it from 95 to 178. She was 1st Team con pitcher but just missed on con pitcher of the year (not sure how that works). The only thing that will hurt her numbers is the stellar pitching from the rest of the staff.
Jr Maddie Stensby
She's always been a very steady pitcher with a career 4.13 era but last year, after having off season surgery, she posted a 3.16 era. She looks like she might be even better this year after not allowing a run tell her 4th and final appearance in fall ball.
Jr Colleen Driscoll
She has become a pleasant surprise. From limited playing time as a Fr to the #2 pitcher after Hood last year, she has climbed her way up with exceptional control. Her career era of 3.76 was greatly helped by her 2.98 mark from last year. Her career mark of 1.19 walks every 7 innings is the best in the history of the con while pitching 121 innings. She was kept out of fall ball after recovering from off season surgery but should be ready for this spring.
Fr Tristin Achenbach
Another big X factor, how will she translate her high school domination to the college level? If fall ball is any indication, she will be just fine, leading the staff in k's, by a lot. The coaches have said her talent is raw but Meuchel is great at bringing the best out of pitchers and should turn Achenbach and Hood into the best 1-2 combo in the league.
Sr Haley Young
The loan Sr on the pitching staff but she may not see many innings behind the rest of the horses. Some what inconsistent with a careeer 6.98 era but could be used well in relief innings.

Incoming Freshmen
Fr Tristin Achenbach
Maybe the recruit with the most hype to ever come to Montana. Her accolades have been well documented. A 2 time Gatorade player of the year and a 3 time state champion at two different levels. Her k numbers and era are ridiculous. An era of 0.23 and averaging over two k's per inning her Sr year at CMR. Fall ball was a sign that she may carry over that success to the college level leading the team in k's averaging about 1.5 an inning. Oh, she can hit too batting almost .400 and hitting a few home runs last year.
Fr Savannah Voyles
Achenbach's teammate at CMR, no one in the state had a chance with these two on the same team. Her ridiculous slugging percentage numbers of nearly 1.300% while hitting a home run almost every 8 innings. Her fielding percentage wasn't spectacular but she did see some time at SS in fall and may be Delene's replacement next year.
Fr Alexis Knauss
Another amazing mid-infielder, she has all the tools. BA, power, and speed are all there plus she has a good glove as well. Experienced at short and 2nd, Voyles and her will give us another solid three years in the middle after Gabby and Delene graduate.
Fr Jessica McAlister
Maybe the highest nationally recognized recruit we've ever gotten. The #3 ranked recruit out of New Mexico which plays a lot of good softball. Her team was the #10 ranked team in the country. A three and a half year starter for the back to back 6A state champs, she's very experienced at third and catcher. I believe she's the likely replacement for Olea, just not sure if she will start right away or be eased in. She hits for power and average and played error free ball her Sr year.
-link to recap of Sr seasons
https://egriz.com/grizboard/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=76601&sid=8022e49443674708cf632b9267343e30
-link to the roster
http://gogriz.com/roster.aspx?path=softball

Fall Season Recap
Another successful fall last year. Not so much for the win-loss record but getting experience for the Fr and letting some veterans get time at new positions is vitally important. A 7-1 record (one blemish to Carroll College and a great pitcher) while out scoring the opposition 97-11. The stats were amazing. Two 20+ point games, two errors committed all fall, and a staff era of 1.25 and the trio of Hood, Stensby, and Achenbach coming in at 0.65. All four Fr were equally impressive and playing as well as any of the upperclassmen not named Delene Colburn. She was unreal batting over .600 and slugging over a 1.000. This team probably couldn't be more ready for the spring season to begin.

The 2018 Schedule
This years schedule has some very interesting matchups including the #1 ranked two time National Champion Oklahoma Sooners in the opening weekend of play in Phoenix. Familiar PAC12 foes Arizona and Oregon round out our top 25 match ups, both of which will be true road games with one in Tucson and two in Eugene. Last year Arizona, who we played mostly competitive two years ago, advanced to the sweet sixteen of the national tourney and Oregon, who we played twice in Hawaii last year including a 1-0 loss, advanced to the final eight while finishing the season ranked #1 in the RPI. There are several other key western conference matchups including Nevada and Boise St of the MWC, both of which advanced to the NISC last year which is softballs equivalent of the NIT. Both teams also finished ranked in the top 100 in the RPI rankings(BSU 87th, Nev 95th) along with Colorado St(97th), another MWC team on the sched. The opening weekend will also see the Griz match up with last years WAC champ and opening weekend host, Grand Canyon who’s season ending RPI ranking was 73rd. Pacific(114th) from the West Coast con will also face us in Phoenix after advancing to the NISC last year. Seattle(207th) and Utah Valley(213th) from the WAC, New Mexico(168th) of the MWC, and UC Riverside(125th) of the Big West round out our other western con games. NISC qualifier Louisiana-Monroe(106th) and Troy(116th) from the Sun Belt will face off with us also. These top 125 RPI ranked teams are important games because that’s around where we finished and it’s important to win these games against this level of competition. Our non con sched will also face in-state foes Providence(formerly Great Falls) and Carroll who beat us 1-0 last fall, and con rival Weber St in a non con match up in Phoenix. Once we start the conference schedule, for the first time in Grizzly softball history, we won’t be facing WSU the last weekend of the season. Instead we see the 93rd ranked NISC quarterfinalist qualifier the third weekend of con play in Missoula. In the NISC last year Weber beat the host and eventual champs Liberty to make it to the quarters but were eliminated by Cal Poly in the double elimination format tourney that started with 26 teams. We will also host one of the other top teams in the con in Sac St(197th), that match up closing out the regular season before the con tournament which has already been determined to be played in Ogden. PSU(247th) will also be at home and ISU(194th), UND(225th), SUU(228th), UNC(219th) will all be on the road.

Here’s a link to the 2018 schedule.
http://gogriz.com/schedule.aspx?path=softball

Here’s a link to the NCAA rankings which will be updated right around the opening weekend.
http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/softball/d1

Sneak peak at next years recruits
Keep in mind I'd expect 3-4 more recruits to sign during the late signing period in April including a JC transfer or two. For now though, here's the initial four which I credit Melanie Meuchel for keeping fully intact during the coaching transition.
Kylie Becker SS/2B
Foot Hills HS, Las Vegas Nv

A great pick up and former teammate of current Griz Michaela Hood on their Nevada club team. She played a lot of baseball growing up before fully turning to softball. She has a very good arm and defensive hands in the field and is a line drive and gap hitter with some power at the plate. She was 2nd Team All Sunrise League as a Fr and a 1st Team All Sunrise League as a So and a Jr. A high .300 hitter throughout her career playing in over a 100 games while slugging over .500 with a lot of speed on the base paths.
Maygen McGrath SS/3B/P
South Salem HS, Salem Or

Possesses a great glove, arm, and power. Made the 2nd Team All Greater Valley Con team as a P her Fr year but played primarily SS and 3rd as a So and Jr. There she earned 1st Team All League UT as a So and as a Jr she was 2nd Team All State UT and 1st Team All Con. Her team does not report their stats to MaxPreps so they are unknown and most likely her Sr year stats will not be known either.
McKenna Tjaden C/CIF/OF
Murrieta Valley HS, Murrieta Ca

A true utility player who has played everywhere. She swings really well and has a resume plump with All League honers and club team success. A low .300 career hitter in over 80 games, she can contribute almost anywhere.
Reilly Williams C/1B
Lake City HS, Coeur d'Alene Id

Maybe the gem of the class. A very high softball IQ and she prefers C. The Inland Empire Newcomer of the Year as a So. 1st Team All League as a Jr while her team finished as the Idaho 5A State runner up. An exceptional fielder and hits for average and power with a career slash of .350/.600.
Here's a link to GoGriz article on signing day.
http://gogriz.com/news/2017/11/17/softball-program-adds-four.aspx
 
Great write-up.

In addition, the softball stadium upgrades that were approved last year should be ready this year. The permanent seating that will be added will have room for 600 plus fans with restrooms and a concessions building added.

http://missoulian.com/sports/college/montana/montana-approved-for-expansion-of-grizzly-softball-field-to-triple/article_b72aa225-15f1-5f67-94d3-35d3b1884f3c.html
 
84GRIZ said:
Great write-up.

In addition, the softball stadium upgrades that were approved last year should be ready this year. The permanent seating that will be added will have room for 600 plus fans with restrooms and a concessions building added.

http://missoulian.com/sports/college/montana/montana-approved-for-expansion-of-grizzly-softball-field-to-triple/article_b72aa225-15f1-5f67-94d3-35d3b1884f3c.html

It’s good to see the program getting the support from the private donors also. We should be close to rivaling WSU and Sac St for the best digs in the con.
 
WarrenAve said:
Voyles has left the team and has moved back to GF

That’s a bummer. I was afraid of that cus she’s not on the roster. I emailed coach but she never responded, probably because she doesn’t want to put Savanna’s news out into the public yet.
 
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