Softball Starts New in 2011

POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State softball team is getting a new look and it's not just the new uniforms the team will be sporting this season. The change started for the Bengals in July of 2010 when Julie Wright was hired as coach and later brought on Jessica Rogers to be her assistant.

The team will be in a new locker room this year and on April 16 the Bengals will play the program's first-ever game in their new on campus facility, Miller Ranch Stadium.

“It is just a whole new look,” Wright said. “I think that is really important for this team. That fresh start had to happen for them to let go of things. We are very motivated by that. We are excited about how things are going. The coaching staff is excited about how hard they have worked and the team chemistry.”

Building team chemistry and getting the student-athletes used to a new system has been the goal of Wright and Rogers in the fall.

“Jessica and I demanded that they spend time together and get to know each other again under these circumstances and this fresh look,” Wright said. “That will be a large part of our success.”

Another big key that will determine the success of Idaho State this spring will be the leadership of the senior class on and off the field. This year's senior class is Jessica Baca, Kandis Clesson, Erin Olander, Brittany Olsin and Haylee Thompson Brock.

“Our senior leadership is going to be huge and crucial to what we accomplish,” Wright said. “What they do this year on and off the field as far as leadership, will have a huge impact on our success. They are embracing that role.”

Other returning players to the 2011 team are Terah Blackwell, Desirae Hoffman, Courtney Darby and Jen Martensen.

With only eight players returning from last year's team, Wright is going to have to count on some of the eight newcomers to step up and produce during the season. Those newcomers are Courtney Dial, Amanda Fitzsimmons, Courtney Hancock, Ashley Moeller, Christina Rayner, Katie Rooks, Katee Wiley and Thompson-Brock.

“New kids are going to play a pretty big role,” Wright said. “Some of them will have to step up in places they haven't been. We lost four out of our top five offensive producers last season and those roles must be filled. Our focus has been to help several returners and newcomers step up.”

The top returning offensive producer from last year's squad is Hoffman, a sophomore outfielder, who batted .361 in 51 games. Baca, who missed the last half of 2010 with an injury, is back after hitting .286 the first half of the 2010 season. Olander, a returning infielder, hit .273 last season.

“Jessica Baca will return as one of our most powerful kids,” Wright said. “Jen Martensen, Terah Blackwell and Brittany Olsin are going to be a huge power source for us. They need to produce runs.”

Wright added that Hoffman is going to have to continue to have a high on-base percentage.

There are several newcomers who Wright expects to see contribute in 2011. She calls Fitzsimmons a “nice gap to gap hitter” with the ability to get on base. Courtney Dial is a freshman who also has the ability to produce offensively for the Bengals this year.

“She has come out of a very good program,” Wright said. “She will be like a right handed Amanda, gap to gap hitter with some occasional pop. She will have a great freshman campaign.”

Defensively, Wright has a pitcher in senior Kandis Clesson who she calls the “rock for this program.” Clesson is the only Bengals softball player who has been with the program since it was brought back in 2007. She already owns the Bengal career record for most strike outs with 289 and innings pitched at 498.3.

“I think she is poised to have a fantastic year,” Wright said. “She didn't have to come back. She could have walked away. She chose to come back because she felt like this year could be different. I expect great things from her.”

Expected to help Clesson in the circle is North Dakota State transfer Christina Rayner and Fitzsimmons.

“Rayner will be a nice compliment to Kandis,” Wright said. “Amanda will get some time on the mound. We feel as if we have a very solid staff with the three of them.”

Ashley Moeller and Courtney Hancock will push for playing time and player's the coaching staff is counting on to contribute.

“Moeller and Hancock are two new kids for us,” Wright said. “Moeller will be a great table setter for the middle of our line-up.”

Idaho State has a tough preseason schedule that Wright hopes prepares the team for play in the Pacific Coast Softball Conference. The Bengals open the season Feb. 18 in the Arizona State tournament where they will face Iowa, Illinois State, Seattle and Arizona State.

Before PCSC play starts, ISU plays in tournaments at Sacramento State, Arizona, Fresno State and Nevada. It also has nonconference matchups with San Jose State, Pacific, Utah, Utah State and BYU.

“Our preseason schedule is extremely tough,” Wright said. “We are hoping that will prepare us for conference so that when we get to conference we will have seen everything, faced the best speed and some of the better pitching. We will have seen some of the greatest power hitters and defenses so we are prepared for all parts of the game. We hope that will help us to play better when it really counts.”

Conference play starts April 9 when the Bengals play at Northern Colorado. A week later is when the Bengals play the home opener at Miller Ranch Stadium against Portland State.

With the tough schedule Wright says the team's success is going to, “hinge on our offense producing on a consistent basis and our pitching staff keeping us in games. They just have to keep us close so our offense can do some things for us.”