DETROIT (2/5/19) -- University of Detroit Mercy head softball coach
John Conway will look to rebuild the momentum the Titans had the past few years, after missing the Horizon League Tournament last year.
The Titan season begins in Chicago, Illinois, where they will face Butler, Evansville, Loyola Chicago, Purdue Fort Wayne and UMKC in the Total Control Sports Invitational, held at the Dome at Rosemont from Feb. 8-10.
A LOOK BACK
Conway took over the Titans in 2015, and the program has seen tremendous improvement since his appointment as head coach. Last year, the Titans missed the Horizon League Tournament, coming off of a season which saw them reach the semifinals.
The red, white and blue posted a conference record of 8-13 last season, and are projected to finish seventh this year.
UPPER CLASSMEN
"I am expecting big things from my senior class this season," said coach Conway. "
Courtney Gilbert played for team Canada during the offseason, and she's a great all around player for the team.
In 2017 in the Horizon League, Gilbert was tied for the team-lead in battering average (.333), while leading the team in hits (22), triples (2), runs scored (14), and on base percentage (.392). She also racked up a .545 slugging percentage while hitting seven doubles and nine RBI. On the season, she batted .304 over 43 games, with 42 hits, including 10 doubles, while scoring 25 runs of her own and compiling a .428 slugging percentage.
Along with Gilbert,
Jordan Manno will have a great impact on the team. "She's our motivator and a leader on the field, she fires up the pitchers from behind the plate, and she's going to catch as many games as she can for us."
Kori Keyes was able to come in last season as a transfer and make an immediate impact both in the field and at the plate. "Kori gained a lot of confidence last year, and we expect big things from her bat this season, as well as in her transition to center field."
Sydney Pollock will return to her role in right field, and led the team in walks during Horizon League play last season (10). Doubling her speed with her ability to get on base and slap, Syd could be a great two-way weapon for the Titans this season.
PRESEASON MOTIVATION
The Titans were selected to finish seventh in the Horizon League in the preseason coaches' poll, dropping three spots from their prediction last season.
"The girls have been getting their swings in and they've been practicing well," said coach Conway. "Not making the playoffs this season would be an utter disappointment. We have the talent to beat anyone in the conference this year."
FRESH FACES
The Titans bring in ten new faces this season, with nine freshmen and one transfer.
Jessenia Castillo,
Erica Guerrero,
Emily Wagenbrenner,
Liz Paver,
Taylor Gauthier,
McKenna Tanguay,
Maggie Hampton,
Piper Roth, and
Taryn Peru are the freshman, while
Leena Mortensen is the lone transfer on the Titan squad.
IN THE CIRCLE
Ashley Mauser is coming off one of the most prolific pitching seasons in Titan history. Last year, Mauser punched out a school-record 15 batters in a 4-0 shutout at Youngstown State on March 30. She racked up seven-straight strikeouts during the game from the final out of the first inning through the second out of the third inning. She set down 12 of the final 14 batters she faced, allowing just two hits total in the contest. Additionally, she topped the previous single-season record with 137 strikeouts during the 2018 season for the Titans.
"We have five great pitchers healthy and throwing for us at the moment. If we are able to get a similar season from Ashley this year, coupled with one reminiscent of
Liz Murphy's from 2017, we have enough support surrounding them that should make it very difficult for opponents to get on base. "
Cami Sinclair looks much more confident this season, and is throwing the ball really hard right now.
Regan Glenn now has a year under her belt at the Division I level and is gaining confidence every day.
Lindsay Brandon is battling back from injury right now, while Guerrero is adjusting to the collegiate level quicker than we expected. If all pieces fall into the place, the circle should be one of the most dangerous aspects of the Titans' game this season.
Mauser led the Titans in victories (8), complete games (10), innings pitched (142.0) earned run average (3.40), shutouts (2) and strikeouts. She had four double-digit strikeout games during the 2018 season. Entering her senior season, she has 249 career strikeouts, just seven off the all-time mark of 256 punch-outs held by Titan Hall of Famer Cindy Crosbie '88.
INFIELD/OUTFIELD
Jen Lorenz and
Alyssa Lang will defend the left side of the infield, while
Kaitlin Lambert will cover ground in the outfield for the red, white and blue and Ellie Boteller will fulfill multiple roles for the Titans this season.
"We look really strong defensively this year. We have eliminated silly errors and look as strong as we ever have defensively. There are opportunities for a lot of different girls to make an impact this year, and it will be exciting to see each girl step up at different times" added coach Conway.
THE SLATE
The Titans will face some tough competition in 2018. Detroit Mercy will travel to several notable tournament locations, including Charleston, S.C., Madeira Beach, Fla. twice, and St. Louis, Mo. before the start of Horizon League play on Mar. 22.
"We have a very tough schedule this season, but it will prepare us for conference play which is what we are focused on," said coach Conway. "We lost a lot of one-run games last year, and this year we want to be on the other end of them. It's time to step up and beat some of these teams. We want to compete in non-conference so that we are able to peak for Horizon League play, and especially the Horizon League tournament."
