Cornell returns eight starters from 18-win squad

Cornell College's softball program has won 55 games since 2008, the most over a three-year period in school history.

But the best may be yet to come for fifth-year head coach Shanda Ness, who fields her most experienced squad this spring. The Rams return seven position players to the starting lineup in addition to their top two pitchers.

“I'm excited about our combination of veteran players and youth,” said Ness, who owns a 66-76-1 career record on the Hilltop. “We have a good nucleus of upperclassmen who have played a lot and know what we're about. This is the most balanced and deepest team I've had here.”

A promising 2011 campaign gets underway this weekend with four games scheduled during a brief stay in Dallas, Texas. The Rams open against University of the Ozarks Feb. 25, followed by single games against Hendrix and University of Dallas Feb. 26. Cornell closes the trip Feb. 27 against Nebraska Wesleyan, which won 27 games in 2010.

Cornell fashioned a solid 14-7-1 record against nonconference foes last season. The Rams finished the year 18-19-1, including a 4-12 mark in Iowa Conference play. Cornell was one win shy of qualifying for the six-team IIAC Tournament.

“We feel that we can be more competitive in the Iowa Conference,” said Ness, seeking the program's first postseason berth since 2008. “I know we have the team that can do it. There's a real good positive energy about this team. We just have to put it all together on the field.”

Senior center fielder Nicole Duncan (Wilton/Wilton) has put together quite a softball resume in her first three seasons with the Rams. The three-time all-region performer already owns seven career school records, including batting average (.400), runs (88) and RBIs (76). Duncan batted a team-best .433 last spring and tied her own single-season hits mark with 55.

Duncan is among seven multi-year letterwinners on the team. The veteran group features a pair of 2010 all-conference performers in senior catcher Carly Goolsby (Ely/Solon) and senior left fielder Simone Wright (Beach Park, Ill./Waukegan).

Goolsby earn first team honors after batting .416 with 14 RBIs and a .481 slugging percentage. Wright, an honorable mention pick, hit .323 with 28 runs, six home runs and 21 RBIs. She set a school record for walks in a season (24) and owns career marks for walks (47) and home runs (17).

Senior outfielder Laurel Wilhelm (Blairstown/Benton) brings back 19 starts from last season. She joins Duncan and Wright as three-year letterwinners.

The infield is nearly back intact with sophomore Sam Tonelli (Waukee/Waukee) at first base, junior Chrissy Rasor (Bothell, Wash./Inglemoor) at second, and sophomore Brooke Griffin (Jefferson City, Mo./Eugene) at third. Tonelli batted .314 and scored 17 runs. Griffin hit .301 in her rookie season.

Junior co-captains Jill Trzaska (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard South) and Kim Griseto (Skokie, Ill./Regina Dominican) headed the pitching staff a year ago. Trzaska finished 8-6 with a 3.98 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 75.2 innings before missing time at the end of the season due to injuries. Griseto made 18 starts on the mound, going 7-9 with a 4.81 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 110.2 innings.

The Rams have nine newcomers on their 21-player roster, a handful of whom could push for early playing time. Ness said freshmen Amanda Engel (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North), Jackie Sernek (Chicago, Ill./De La Salle) and Laura Iversen (Tinley Park, Ill./Lincoln-Way North) will all get a chance to pitch in Texas and could figure in the rotation.

“The (Texas) trip will give us an opportunity to see different lineups and options,” Ness said.

Upon the team's return from Texas, the team will have nearly three weeks off until hosting doubleheaders with Grinnell March 19 and Monmouth March 20 at Mount Vernon Softball Complex. The Rams will then head to Clermont, Fla., and play 10 games from March 26-31.

Cornell has six home doubleheaders scheduled in April, including the IIAC opener with Luther on the 5th. The Rams also host St. Ambrose (April 8), Dubuque (April 9), UW-Platteville (April 12), Wartburg (April 16) and Central (April 27).