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Thursday, February 1, 2001
Last Sunday, the Super Bowl. Tomorrow, the University of South Florida Louisville Slugger Tournament. Wahine open against
South Florida tomorrowBy Dave Reardon
Star-BulletinOK, so Tampa isn't the focal point of the sports world again this week. But it is where the University of Hawaii softball team starts its season.
When UH takes the field against host USF tomorrow, it marks the third time in the Wahine program's 17-year history that it begins on the road.
"We've always opened at home, but I think I do better on the road," Wahine center fielder Kristen Anderson said. "I thrive off of that."
UH needs that kind of bravado, considering the eligibility of three of the best Wahine players ever has expired -- Dana Degen (.401, 9 homers last year), Melissa McGie (.335) and Joyce Lum (.310).
Even with those monster seasons, Hawaii finished 25-24, nearly going under .500 for the first time since 1993.
Tenth-year coach Bob Coolen said better pitching and a deep collection of position players for all occasions can make up for the dearth of concentrated firepower.
"We lost some experienced ballplayers but there should be a lot of consistency in the lineup 1-through-9 and on the mound," Coolen said.
"We have lots of people who feel they have something to prove, and we have all different kinds of bats for different situations. We'll be giving lots of people opportunities to play."
Senior right fielder Tyree Woodruff is the top returning hitter with a .305 mark in 2000.
Sophomore shortstop Kate Judd popped five homers as a freshman while batting .293.
Anderson figures to bounce back after hitting .213 a year ago (she batted .277 in 1999).
Junior Natalie Gonzales takes over at second base for McGie and bats leadoff. She's a speedy slap hitter.
Stacie Hirano, another junior, will play a lot at first base, especially against right-handers.
The Wahine are loaded with possibilities at third base, with sophomore Trisha Ramos and freshmen April Crowell and Stacey Porter in the mix either there or at designated player. All are potential power hitters.
Porter did not make the trip to Florida, though; she returned to school from her home in Australia late due to national team commitments and is catching up on schoolwork.
Junior Michelle Mumaw and sophomore Jennifer Tandarich will try to fill the huge void left by Degen; their batting averages combined did not come close to the second-team All-American's last year.
Freshman Justina Kahaku will get the first look in left field, Coolen said.
The Wahine pitching is much more experienced than the rest of the team.
Senior lefty Desiree Duran, a second-team All-WAC performer last year (11-5, 2.02), will open against USF.
Freshman Felicity Witt (Australian Junior National), sophomore Sheri Oronoz (8-8, 2.82) and senior Janelle Gonzales (6-10, 3.74) will start the next three tournament games against Tennessee, Northwestern and Florida Atlantic.
"Then, whoever has the best start will go Sunday against Arizona," Coolen said.
After the USF tournament, the Wahine cross the state to the Daytona area for games against Stetson and Bethune-Cookman next Tuesday and Wednesday.
UH opens its home season Feb. 15 with the Chevron Paradise Classic.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
