After starring as the buzzword during the 2008 presidential campaign, first-year UDM head softball coach Sunny Jones is bringing “change” back to win over the squad she inherited in July.
 
“Our identity needs to be change,” Jones stresses. “And I think the biggest part of that change has to be in our mentality. We need to think like a winner, act like a winner and think that we can accomplish bigger things that haven't happened here lately.”
 
Jones set about the process of change as soon as she arrived on campus, pushing the Titans hard in fall practices and off-season conditioning and lifting.
 
“We've got to raise the bar and that's what we've been working on since September,” said Jones.
With only 13 players on the roster, this year's team may lack depth, but Jones and her charges are keeping expectations high and looking to make a big turnaround in a hurry.
 
“I've asked the team to write down a few things that they want to accomplish,” Jones said. “And these kids, they want something different. They want to go at least .500 this year, and I think that's a fair goal.”

In the Circle 

“Pitching is our biggest question mark right now,” said Jones. “We've got kids still fighting for spots in the rotation.” 

Sophomore Kara Spinelli (Newman, CA/Orestimba) was the staff's workhorse, throwing 132 innings in 33 appearances and going the distance 12 times in 2009. On March 1 she allowed just four hits en route to the Titans only shutout of the season, a 5-0 victory against Holy Cross. 

“Our top returner is probably going to be Kara Spinelli,” Jones said. “Beginning in the fall she has separated herself from the pack. She has developed and gotten stronger throughout the winter. She's been working a lot with (assistant coach) Alison Hess and she's got more command and more confidence.” 

Sophomore Renee Zaccagni (Macomb, MI/Dakota), who made 19 appearances and threw 46 innings as a freshman, will likely see less time in the pitcher's circle this spring in order to fill in at other positions. 

“We've decided that she's going to be a little bit more of a position player and we will utilize her sparingly when needed,” commented Jones. 

Also battling for innings will be junior college transfer Stefanie Morong (Ludington, MI/Mason County Central), a junior, and freshman Anna Bondy (Newport, MI/Carleton-Airport). 

Morong spent the last two years at Lansing Community College where she placed fourth at the NJCAA Division II World Series in 2008 and third in 2009, and was named a NJCAA Division II second-team All-American in 2009. Bondy was a four-time softball letterwinner at Carleton-Airport High School, and was named All-Huron League, all-region and all-district as a senior. 

“With Anna and Stefanie battling injuries throughout the fall it was very, very hard for me to evaluate them against hitters and during game situations,” said Jones. “They've both been working hard to get their strength back, but with pitchers your legs are your lifeline, so they didn't get to do a lot of work during the fall. So it's still kind of a coin toss with them. 

“Until we get full recovery from Stefanie and Anna, though, Kara will definitely be our go-to.”

Behind the Plate 

Last season, senior Jessica Liebner (Ortonville, MI/Brandon) saw time at just about every position besides catcher. Things change, however, and Liebner has shown some senior leadership by stepping up to a role that desperately needed to be filled. 

“Jessica came up to me and said, 'I know we don't have a catcher, so I'll do what I can and do the best that I can for the team,'” Jones beamed. “I think that is head and shoulders one of the biggest leadership tings that anybody can do for the team.” 

Liebner played in 47 games last season, recording new career highs in hits (27), runs batted in (seven) and batting average (.208). As a sophomore utility player, she tied the Titans singe-season fielding percentage record (1.000) when she fielded 137 chances without an error, and is fielding at .963 clip for her career. Jones is hoping she can continue to be solid defensively behind the plate. 

“She's been working her tail off learning everything that she possibly can from Coach Hess,” said Jones.
Fellow senior Erica Houthoofd (Unionville, MI/Unionville-Sebewaing Area), an outfielder by trade, may also be used behind the plate as needed.

Around the Horn 

After being used primarily as a pitcher during her freshman campaign, Jones sees Zaccagni as a likely candidate to log innings at first base. 

“(First base) is going to be kind of a toss up,” said Jones. “It's going to depend kind of on who's pitching.” 

Zaccagni recorded six hits in 33 at-bats while scoring two runs last year. Another likely option at first base will be Spinelli, who did not see any time in the field or at-bat last year. 

Across the infield at the hot corner the Titans return junior Ellen Sinclair (Chatham, ON/Chatham-Kent), a first-team all-Horizon League selection last spring whose .444 batting average (63-for-142) ranked her 14th nationally. Detroit's biggest offensive threat, Sinclair ended 2009 leading the team with 90 total bases, 63 hits, 31 runs batted in, 29 runs scored, 15 walks, seven doubles and six home runs. 

However, with a junior year engineering co-op position to fulfill in Canada, Sinclair will be with the team on limited occasions outside of games. 

“That leaves us with a very, very strange dynamic,” said Jones. “Depending on how well she's playing defensively, we'll decide whether she'll be at third base (or designated player). So it could be Renee (Zaccagni) at third base, too.” 

A late addition to the roster, senior Brigid Mulroy (West Bloomfield, MI/Marian) will be joining the softball team at the conclusion of the basketball season. Jones expects Mulroy, the Titans leading scorer on the court, to play at either corner. 

“It's going to take her a little time to get her feet back underneath her on the softball field, but she played for a great high school program and is a great athlete,” Jones said. 

Jones feels the presence and personality Mulroy will bring to the field will be a big boost for the team. 

“(Brigid's) competitive spirit and excitement is infectious no matter who she's around, and she wants to bring out the same thing in everybody,” said Jones. “Everyone (on the softball team) knows Brigid beyond what they see on the basketball court, and they know she's a fiery competitor and a great leader.” 

The Titans return experience up the middle in two-year starter and sophomore Melissa Barrett (Taylor, MI/Kennedy) and Rachel Copple (Dearborn Hts., MI/Allen Park Cabrini). 

In 2009 Barrett played in 21 games, seeing times in the outfield, at second base and as a pinch runner, tallying five runs, one hit and one stolen base. 

“(Melissa Barrett) spend most of her time in the outfield last year, but she'll continue to be utilized at both infield and outfield for us,” said Jones. 

Copple played in and started 35 games at shortstop during her freshman campaign. In 35 games, all starts at shortstop, Copple notched 17 hits, scored five runs, drove in two and fielded at an .851 clip. She also tied for second on the team in both sac flies (one) and hits (three). 

“She's only a sophomore, but she's pretty seasoned,” said Jones. “She's got some inning underneath her belt, and she's been working very hard on her fitness and on her fundamentals. I'm looking for her to anchor our infield and be our leader out there.”

Roaming the Outfield 

Entering her senior season, Houthoofd easily ranks as one of the most experienced Titans with 114 appearances, at just about every position, to her credit. She owns a career batting average of .210, and was top-five for the Titans in every offensive category last season, leading the team in sacrifice hits (11) and finishing second in runs (23) and triples (two). 

“She'll be our centerfielder, she's one of our team leaders,” said Jones. “She works her butt off and she's very conscious of what needs to be done for the team.” 

However, the do-everything centerfielder is also likely to see at least a little bit of time in the infield out of necessity. 

“We've got some kids that are probably going to be moving and shaking all over the place,” acknowledged Jones. 

Sophomore Krissy Pitock (Carleton, MI/Carleton-Airport) saw action in 24 games last season while getting the starting nod nine times. She batted .261, with six hits in 23 at-bats, but as a pinch runner caused some damage on the base paths, stealing four bases in six attempts and scoring 10 runs. 

“She spent her time in the outfield during the fall, and we're looking for her to really come on offensively from the left side,” Jones said of her projected right fielder. “She's been working on her slapping, power slapping and just putting the ball in play. We want to get her to understand how to read the defense when she's at the plate so we can utilize her speed on the base paths.” 

Left field is likely to be occupied by freshman Katie Schaus (Unionville, MI/Unionville-Sebewaing Area), who saw time in both left and center field during fall ball. 

“She has the ability to be a very sound player,” commented Jones. “Offensively she has some pop in her bat, it's just a matter of getting her going at the college level. Once we get into the spring season and we get into the flow of some games the consistency should come around.” 

Making the Adjustments 

As for the order in which her charges will hit, well, Jones can't say for certain. 

“Obviously, I would love to have a team full of kids that hit the ball into the gap and over the fence, but we are going to be a team that has to be smart with our pitch counts and know the situations,” Jones said. “The order will be a game-to-game decision. It's so easy for a player to be hot for a few games and then be in a slump for a few games, so if someone is getting on base we've got to put somebody behind them who is putting the ball in play and find a way to manufacture some runs.” 

Weather limited Jones' chances to get a look at her team during game situations in the fall, so the Titans' opening week in Florida will be a great opportunity for her to see where in the order everyone's contribute best. 

“There are some people who get rally nervous as the leadoff or cleanup batter,” Jones said. “I've got to figure out who's right for those spots and who will succeed in those roles. So it's going to be a toss-up for a bit.” 

Not only will Jones have to learn to make adjustments with her squad, but her team will need to get comfortable with her adjustments, as frequent as they may be. 

“I'm hoping to get people comfortable with being able to flip-flop where they're at in the order,” said Jones. “That way, when we're playing against teams in the Horizon League and I decide to twist things up, we are confident with everything. I want them all to get comfortable with doing different things when called upon.”