Rochester softball selected as Liberty League preseason favo

[jonriv]

Anjuwon Spence
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2/11/2014 4:17:16 PM
After winning the regular-season championship in 2013, Rochester has been selected by the league coaches as the favorite in the 2014 Liberty League preseason softball poll. Rochester earned 34 points and four first-place votes to finish narrowly ahead of 2013 Liberty League tournament champion, RPI which received 32 points and three first-place votes. St. Lawrence was voted to finish third with 27 points, and Union rounded out the top four with 21 points.

Rochester posted an 8-2 league record in 2013, 23-19 overall. The Yellowjackets look to build upon last season as they return five all-league selections, including 2013 Liberty League Co-Player of the Year, 1B Nina Korn. In 2013, Korn tied the Rochester single-season record for home runs with a league-leading 13. She also led the league in total bases (97), while leading Rochester in runs scored (29), and runs batted in (41). The Yellowjackets also welcome back second team all-league selection Brittany Grage. A season ago, Grage finished in the top four in the league in batting average (.372), slugging percentage (.635), hits (51), RBI's (36), doubles (12), home runs (8), and total bases (87). Additionally, in 30 appearances on the mound, Grage totaled 13 wins, boasting a 2.62 earned run average, while striking out 123 batters.

RPI posted a 7-3 conference record in 2013, and 26-15 overall, handing regular-season champion Rochester its only losses in league play, en route to winning the Liberty League championship. The Engineers will be without all-league 1B and 2013 Liberty League Co-Player of the Year Gillian McCarthy, who was lost to graduation. However, the Engineers look forward to returning four all-league selections including three first-team honorees. Rookie of the Year, and unanimous first-team selection, Taylor Ten Eyck finished second in the conference in runs (27), and second on her team in batting average (.357). The Engineers also return first team all-league P Kristina Weltzin. In 2013 Weltzin led the Liberty League in wins (18), saves (2), and innings pitched (163), while finishing second in the league in strikeouts (151), and third in ERA (2.66).

Voted third in the coaches' poll is St. Lawrence, which posted a 22-17 overall record breaking the mark of two former Saint teams (2001, 2013) for most wins in a season in program history. The Saints were 6-4 in the regular season against league opponents. The team returns two first team all-league selections from a year ago, including Liberty League Pitcher of the Year Kyle Plimpton. In 21 starts, Plimpton compiled an11-10 record, allowing just 34 earned runs in 145 2/3 innings pitched, to post a 1.63 ERA, tops in the Liberty League. Plimpton also led the league in strikeouts (194), and opposing batting average (.209). The Saints also return first team all-league selection Natasha Bell. In 2013, Bell finished second in the league in stolen bases (11), while also finishing in the top five in batting average (.360).

2014 LIBERTY LEAGUE SOFTBALL PRESEASON POLL:


Rank Team Pts. (FPV)
1. Rochester 34 (4)
2. RPI 32 (3)
3. St. Lawrence 27
4. Union 21
5. RIT 15
6. Skidmore 12
7. Clarkson 6

RETURNING ALL-LEAGUE PERFORMERS FROM 2013:

Rochester
IF- Nina Korn, Sr. (1st)
P- Brittany Grage, Jr. (2nd)
IF- Meghan Hennessy, Sr. (2nd)
UTL- Sarah Wayson, Jr. (2nd)
IF- Tayler Fravel, Sr. (HM)

RPI
P- Kristina Weltzin, Jr. (1st)
C- Taylor Ten Eyck, So. (1st)
OF- Jocilyn Rudisill, Jr. (1st)
IF- Dani Grage, Sr. (HM)

St. Lawrence
P- Kyle Plimpton, Jr. (1st)
DP- Natasha Bell, Sr. (1st)
IF- Leslie Stratton, Sr. (2nd)
OF- Rebecca Allen, Sr. (HM)
OF/UTL- Aisha O'Connor, Jr. (HM)

Union
UTL/P- Alyssa Wolejko, Sr. (1st)
OF- Joanna Chalifoux, So. (2nd)
DP- Aimee Palleschi, Sr. (2nd)

RIT
IF- Sarah Wolcott, Jr. (1st)
OF- Amanda Cook, So. (1st)
C- Kelsey McManus, Sr. (2nd)
P- Alissa Dixon, So. (HM)
IF- Brittany Griffin, Sr. (HM)