Hadley Schmitt

Every new athletic season starts with high expectations tempered by a number of unanswered questions. That is certainly the case for the 2008 Pacific Lutheran softball team, which gets its season underway as early as it ever has – the Lutes play doubleheaders against two California opponents on the first two days of February.

With a group of experienced players complemented by a handful of solid newcomers, the Pacific Lutheran softball program figures to return to its winning ways after struggling to an uncharacteristic 17-18 record in 2007. This year’s team has the makings of a group that should return to the outstanding success historically enjoyed by the program. The Lutes will again be under the direction of head coach Rick Noren, who has compiled an impressive 383-126 record and eight national tournament appearances in 13 seasons at the school.

Pitching:
Sophomore Hadley Schmitt, who showed flashes of dominance while compiling a 10-9 record and 2.43 earned run average last year, enters the season as the Lutes’ top pitcher. Schmitt led the 2007 Lutes with 106 2/3 innings and struck out 89 opposing batters. Always a hard thrower, Schmitt has gained additional strength from an off-season workout regimen and has looked good in early practice.

Cathy Kirkevold, used primarily as a designated player last year, has looked good in early workouts and figures to see some time in the pitching circle. Kirkevold had a 5-4 record and 1.93 earned run average in 2006. A newcomer, sophomore transfer Rachel Wheeler-Hoyt, is also in the mix. Wheeler-Hoyt comes to the PLU program from Texas Tech University, where she saw some action as a freshman.

Carly Starke

Catching:
The Lutes return Vanessa Bryant, who started about half of the Lutes’ games behind the plate last year. In all, Bryant hit .333 in 27 games. Stephanie Mullen, a freshman out of Kent-Meridian High School, figures to split catching duties with Bryant.

Infield:
Pacific Lutheran returns one full-time starter from last year in second baseman Carly Starke. A sophomore, Starke hit .273 with six doubles last year. Senior Lisa Gilbert and sophomore Shelby Johnston should both see time at first base. Gilbert played both outfield and catcher last year and started 14 games, while Johnston made a total of 22 starts at either first or designated player and hit .244 with four doubles.

It's likely that newcomers will fill the other two infield roles. Freshman Beth Haahr is a candidate to play shortstop, while the third base job is more wide open with Wheeler-Hoyt, Mullen and Crystal Reno all in the mix. Noren has some flexibility at this position depending on whether or not Wheeler-Hoyt is pitching and Mullen is catching.

Another first-year Lute, Brittney Weissenbuehler, is another candidate to play infield positions this season.

Shelby Johnston

Outfield:
Heather Walling, who split time between the outfield and infield last year, will play centerfield for the Lutes. Walling, a left-handed slap hitter, finished with a .292 batting average and led the Lutes with 22 runs. She is perhaps the team’s best base stealing threat based on her perfect 15-for-15 in that category last year. Another returning starter is rightfielder Missy Waldron. The junior slap hitter has a solid glove and figures to improve on her offensive production this season. Sophomore Sheila Reiten, who played for the University of Washington last year, will start in in the outfield. Reiten makes the move from the infield, but has shown the athletic ability to make a smooth transition. Offensively, Reiten can both slap and swing away with some pop from the left side.

Two other players should give the Lutes additional depth: sophomore Dena Harkovitch and freshmen Jena Ladenburg.

The Lutes open their season with doubleheaders against a pair of NAIA opponents: Concordia in Irvine, Calif., on Feb. 1 and Vanguard in Costa Mesa, Calif., on Feb. 2. During spring break in March, the Lutes will make another trip to California where they will face NCAA Division III opponents Cal Lutheran, La Verne and Redlands.

Northwest Conference play starts March 1 with a doubleheader at George Fox.