March 5, 2007

OVERVIEW

Though the Winston-Salem State Lady Rams softball team will be competing in their first season in NCAA Division I, the talent level suggests much more on the team this season. The Lady Rams return a hard-hitting lineup this season that should put up some quality numbers once again this season. The 2007 team returns with seven players who batted at least .300, including the team's top three leaders in RBI. With such a potent line-up returning and a talented crop of newcomers, the Lady Rams softball team has a lot to look forward to this season.

            The 2007 Lady Rams team is a young, but extremely talented line-up with the dynamic sophomore trio of pitcher Amber Shore, catcher Elyon Taylor, and infielder Leslie Hollis. As freshmen last season, the trio combined for 107 of the team's 229 RBI and nine of the team's 11 home runs. With a season of experience behind them, the trio will look to lead the Lady Rams softball into its next step, competing in a full NCAA Division I schedule for the first time in team history. Sophomore pitcher Amber Shore returns to lead the way this season after leading the team in all the power numbers from last season. Shore not only led the team in batting average (.416), RBI (37), and home runs (6), but she was also second on the team in stolen bases (8-of-11). This season, Shore will bring her stellar hitting back the Lady Rams line-up and should return as one of the team's top offensive performers this season. Not to be outdone, sophomore catcher Elyon Taylor also returns after a great freshman season in 2006. Taylor returns to shore up the Lady Rams offensive performance and has also shown the potential to be a top-notch performer this season as well. Last season, Taylor finished the season with a .368 batting average and tied for second on the team in RBI (35). Rounding out the team's power trio is sophomore infielder Leslie Hollis, who finished the capped off the 2006 season with a .362 batting average. Hollis tied Taylor for second place on the team in RBI with 35 RBI as well last season. Joining Taylor and Shore, Hollis could round out a high offense trio that will likely give the team some great offensive performances in 2007.

            The team's sophomores may provide the power numbers, but senior outfielder and junior utility Tyreka Cotton add the style points with 36 total stolen bases and some quality batting numbers as well. Bell led the team in stolen bases going 25-of-28 on stolen bases in 2006. She was also a consistent hitter batting .358 for the season with 24 RBI. Cotton was also a solid performer last season going 11-of-15 on stolen bases with a .330 batting average.

            The 2007 team will also welcome five talented newcomers that will not only give the team some much needed depth, but have shown a lot of talent in off-season training and could be prepared to contribute right away.

PITCHERS

L'Tisha Bell, the lone senior on the WSSU roster, will anchor the Lady Rams' outfileding corps

After a great freshman season, sophomore pitcher Amber Shore returns once again as the team's ace and should be even better in 2007. Last season, Shore posted a 12-10 record in 29 appearances. She also added 23 starts and finished them all. She finished the season 184 strikeouts, allowed just six home runs, and had just three wild pitches.

            Also returning this season will be fellow sophomore Elyon Taylor, who finished the season with an 8-9 record in 18 starts. For the season, Taylor finished the season with a 7.30 ERA and allowed 12 home runs. Taylor also finished the season with 57 strikeouts.

            Freshman Ashley Boswell will also look to give the team a quality third pitching option this season and should join Taylor and Shore to form a one of the better pitching units in recent team history.

CATCHERS

When she isn't in the circle, Elyon Taylor will be the team's catcher this season. Her quick hands and sharp eye make her a quality performer behind the plate and she will once again to act as the team's primary defender behind the plate. Taylor was solid last season catching 16 runners stealing and just 20 passed balls last season. Amber Shore also made a few appearances behind the plate allowing just 13 stolen bases and totaled just 16 passed balls. 

            Senior Kadina Baldwin is slated to make a move from the basketball court to the softball field as well looking to help the team at the catcher position this season as well.

INFIELD

The Lady Rams' infield returns intact this season with only two starters missing from last season's squad needing to be replaced. The team will have no questions on the left side with junior Tyreka Cotton returning at third base along with Leslie Hollis returning at shortstop this season. Cotton finished the 2006 season with a .866 fielding percentage playing primarily at third base. She also added 16 put outs with 51 assists last season. Hollis also returns to add some quality to the team this season to give the Lady Rams some solid defensive play between shortstop and first base position. Last season, Hollis finished the season with a .920 fielding percentage with 58 putouts and 68 assists. Her sure hands will also shore up the team's already solid freshman season in 2006.

Elyon Taylor, an experienced backstop, will provide a spark on both the offensive and defensive sides of the dish

            The question marks remain at first base where the squad lost graduate Louis Ellis who finished her career with the Lady Rams last season. Should Hollis move over to the first base position, then look for one of the team's newcomers to make a move to fill in the position. Freshman Whitney Hall could see time at the short stop position as well.  

OUTFIELD

There won't be many questions in the Lady Rams outfield this season with five returning outfielders from last season's team. Senior L'Tisha Bell and sophomore Domica Scott both return to solidify two of the team's three starting slots in the outfield. Sophomore Georgette Twitty looks like a likely third starter in the WSSU outfield. Last season, Bell had the fewest errors (1) on the team despite starting in all 41 contests. Scott was also solid with a .792 fielding average and just five errors on the season.

            Sophomores Dianna Sanders and Lonnie Johnson also return this season and will look to find time in a loaded WSSU outfield. The duo was solid last season and will look to once again contribute to the Lady Rams' squad. Freshman Tierra Berthau also joins the squad this season to bring some quality depth to the Lady Ram outfield this season.

SCHEDULE

The 2007 season will offer some challenges for the Winston-Salem State Lady Rams this season as the team will play a full NCAA Division I schedule. Highlighting the team's schedule this season will be match-ups against 10 of the 11 teams from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

            The team will open the season against rival North Carolina Central before hosting Hampton and Morgan State at home a week later. The team will also take part in a pair of tournaments as the team will take part in the North Carolina A&T Invitational Tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina and later take part in the Lady Pirate Classic Tournament in Hampton, Virginia.

            The Lady Rams will have some big home double-headers against Maryland-Eastern Shore, Howard, and Gardner Webb. The team will also host rival North Carolina Central on April 14^th  before hosting Bethune-Cookman in a season finale on April 28^th.