Softball to Begin Inaugural Season Tomorrow

As the Lady Yeomen play host to Kenyon College in a double header tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m., they are doing more than beginning a new season. They are also competing on a brand new field in a new Oberlin varsity sport. Ohio Wesleyan and Wittenberg Universities join the Yeowomen as newcomers to NCAC varsity softball.

Before the first pitch, the new field will be dedicated to Mary Culhane, who paved the way for women's athletics at Oberlin College. After arriving at Oberlin in 1956, she served as women's athletic director, women's indoor and outdoor track coach and volleyball head coach. She played an integral role in the formation of the NCAC, the nation's first co-educationally structured conference to compete at the collegiate level. Culhane is presently teaching water safety, scuba and life-saving at Oberlin and is a national competitor in masters' Olympic games.

Pepper, anyone? A Yeowoman hits a grounder during practice on Culhane Field. (photo by Christine Braunohler)

The new squad is coached by Jane Wildman, a 1993 graduate of NCAC competitor Denison University. Wildman has plenty of coaching experience since her days with the Big Red, where she was co-captain of the 1992 NCAC champion soccer team. She was an assistant softball coach at The College of Wooster and Muskingum College. Joanna Wells is the assistant coach. She is also assistant girls' basketball and volleyball coach.

"We are very excited about this year, and getting our team off to a good start," said Wildman. "We have a group of girls who are excited to play and are very competitive."

With a roster consisting of only 12 players, a lot of girls will be playing numerous positions for the Lady Yeomen.

"Without a spring trip this year, our first games are going to a period of growth and learning," said Wildman. "Quite a few girls are going to be playing everywhere for us. But it isn't unrealistic for us to be competitive this year, with a few other teams in the NCAC being new to conference play."

The teams boasts a mix of four seniors, one junior, three sophomores and four first-years. Seniors Katy Durham-Hammer, Sarah Krier and Jami Silver are tri-captains. Durham-Hammer will be playing second base. "I'm really excited about playing this year," said Durham-Hammer. "In high school I played a lot of baseball at third base, and it feels great to be back in the game."

Durham-Hammer was impressed with the way the team played in a pre-season game against Lorain County Community College. "We really came back well after being down 6-0 early. I have a lot of confidence in our defense this year to be solid for us," she said. "Our coaches are very positive and have a lot of knowledge about the game."

Krier is gearing up to throw a lot of innings, as is sophomore Dawn Sweeney. Krier will add some help in the infield when she isn't pitching, and Sweeney will contribute in the outfield. Silver will be the catcher.

Playing at first base and outfield is junior Marissa Leonino. First-year Maria Balducci will play third base, and sophomore Becky Kanuch will be at short stop. Kanuch is expected to be a strong offensive presence as well. Senior Kim Tolman, sophomore Emily Johnson and first-years Sally Abrahamson, Amanda Boege and Paige Schwarz will all give the Lady Yeomen depth and solid play in the outfield.

The inaugural softball game and NCAC opener is tomorrow at 1p.m.. The Lady Yeomen will travel to play a double-header at Allegheny College on Tuesday.