2006 Season Preview
After two straight seasons of double-digit wins, the 2006 version of Swarthmore softball faces an uphill battle. Four seniors have graduated, including the entire starting outfield, leaving third-year head coach Renee Clarke to lean on a veteran battery to propel the Garnet towards the Centennial Conference playoffs.
Senior catcher Christina Procacci (Moorestown, NJ / Moorestown) and junior pitcher Marianne Klingaman (Columbia, MD / Centennial) provide Clarke with one of the top pitcher-catcher combinations in the Centennial. Procacci, named one of three team captains, enters her third season as Swarthmore's starting receiver having led the Centennial in pickoffs and runners caught stealing the past two seasons. Her patience, and trained eye, at the plate resulted in a Conference-high .518 on-base percentage. Procacci drew 35 walks in 2005, breaking the Conference record, and her 66 career base on balls is in the top-30 all-time in Division III history.
Klingaman comes off her best collegiate season in 2004, posting a 2.45 earned run average (top ten in the CC) while striking out 35 batters and walking only 13 in 77 innings. The right-hander stepped up in some of Swarthmore's biggest games, including a six-strikeout performance in a 5-2 win over 2005 Conference champion Ursinus College. Klingaman also tossed a pair of 1-0 complete-game shutouts last season, including a three-hit victory over Muhlenberg College on April 12. Sophomore right-hand pitcher Amy DiBiase (Rodondo Beach, CA / Rolling Hills Prep) emerged as an impact player in 2005, finishing in the top 15 in the Centennial with 45 strikeouts in 72.1 innings pitched and with the addition of Alexandra Zelaski (Middlburgh Heights, OH / Midpark), the Garnet form one of the deeper staffs in the Centennial.
The success of the Garnet in 2006 hinges on the play of Swarthmore veterans Danielle Miller '06 (Pittsburgh, PA / Taylor Allerdice), Kelly Siano '07 (Fort Collins, CO / Poudre), and Katie Gold '08 (Cherry Hill, NJ / Cherry Hill East). Miller, second on the team with 13 runs in 2005, was the most effective bunter in 2005 (10 sacrifice bunts), a vital tool in starting the offense. Gold had flashes of excellence at the plate in 2005, finishing second on the team in RBIs (12) and hits (26). Her athleticism was evident on the base paths where Gold led the team with 12 stolen bases (fifth in the Centennial). First basemen Siano is the rock of the Garnet infield, posting a .973 fielding percentage (seven errors in 252 chances). She swung a solid bat for Swarthmore as well, finishing fourth on the team in batting average, hits, doubles, and on-base percentage and will look to direct an inexperience group of fielders. Junior Melissa LaVan (Deerfield, IL / Deerfield) contributed in 2005 and look to take on a bigger role in the success of the Garnet.
Returners Dahlia Perez '08 (Fairfield, CT / Hopkins School) and Walz saw time in the outfield in 2005 and hope to fill a gap left with the graduation of Mary Mintel '05, Sam Brody '05, and Valerie Marone '05. Stephanie Rogan '06 (Saratoga, CA / Castilleja) is back after sitting out last season, and will will join with freshmen Christine Sendelsky (Edison, NJ / J.P. Stevens), Lauren Walker (Fallston, MD / The Hotchkiss School), and Kristin Caspar (Briarcliff Manor, NY / The Briarcliff School) to figure into the mix.
The Garnet open the 2006 season with their annual trip to Florida in the beginning of March, then begin a competitive non-conference schedule against DeSales, Widener, and Arcadia. On April 4th the Garnet begin a 16-game Centennial Conference schedule with a doubleheader against regional power Ursinus. Be sure to check the schedule for more exciting Swarthmore softball in 2006.