2008 Outlook

Season of Change
Field of Dreams
Leading the Charge
New Faces Abound
What to Expect

Season of Change
Throughout the recent history of Geneva College softball, the expectations for success have remained constant. With the start of the 2008 season, those expectations are still very evident, but there is much change throughout the Golden Tornadoes program. Most significantly is the place where Geneva will call home in the upcoming campaign. After ten years away from campus, the Golden Tornadoes will return home for their first season on a newly installed field. Geneva will also welcome several new teams to College Hill as the Golden Tornadoes embark on their first season as members of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference and NCAA Division III. Geneva will compete against new teams on a new field with several fresh faces. Geneva’s roster will consist of nine new freshmen that will mix nicely with a solid core of returning players.

“I really like the mix of youth and experience,” said six-year head coach Van Zanic. “We have brought in some outstanding talent and it will breed competition throughout the program. It is a luxury we have not had in this program, maybe ever.”

 Field of Dreams
It may not be exactly the field of dreams, but the fact that Geneva’s softball team is back on campus with its own field is a dream come true for this Golden Tornadoes team. After years of traveling throughout Beaver County to find a home field, Geneva will finally settle right back on campus on a newly installed field. While the field in Koppel did have charm with its steel mill smoke stacks in the background, it won't be hard for Geneva’s players and coaches to turn their attention to the new facility. While the memories of Koppel Field for the last five years remain fresh in their minds, the ten minute drive up Route 18 won't be missed. Only a couple hundred feet from Metheny Fieldhouse, Geneva’s softball team will begin making new memories beginning with the 2008 season.

Leading the Charge
Geneva’s softball team played more games in 2007 than in any single season in the school’s history. Posting a record of 33-22, the Golden Tornadoes enjoyed their second consecutive 30-win campaign, which was also a first for Geneva softball. While several key members were lost to graduation after last season, many key contributors will be back for another season in the black and gold. On the mound, junior pitcher Ashley Archer will assume the number one spot in the rotation. After a 14-10 season in 2007, Archer will be asked to take on more of the pitching responsibility as Geneva’s number one starter. Junior Stephanie Wagle will also see more time in the circle after a 1-1 season in just 19 innings of work last year.

Amy Pearce enjoyed one of the finest offensive seasons in school history last year. The junior catcher tied single season records for hits (66) and home runs (9). An NCCAA first-team All-American, Pearce hit .405 and drove in a team best 34 runs. Most of those RBI’s came courtesy of Jackie Anthony, who hit .331 and scored 28 runs. Geneva’s lead-off spark plug, Anthony swiped 24 bases and was solid at shortstop all season. Anthony may make the switch back to centerfield in 2008, which will serve to strengthen a Golden Tornadoes defense that committed 98 errors a year ago.

Other key returning players include Michawn Rich (2B), Bridget Beachy (OF), Kim Slater (OF), Adrienne Hays (OF) and Kelsey Evans (1B).

“We always ask a lot from our upper classmen,” said Zanic. “We can’t expect the same impressive numbers across the board, but we do ask for consistency from our veterans and I am confident we will get quality work from our returning kids.”

 New Faces Abound
While much of the 2008 success will rely on production from returning players, the new freshmen class will also be asked to make immediate impacts. Nine new freshmen will dawn the Geneva uniform this spring, including several that will most likely play key roles in Geneva’s success. In the circle, Rebekah Wahl will be thrust into the spotlight as a key member of the 2008 pitching staff.

Wahl will likely receive support from freshmen infielders Adriane Blake, Lyndsey Piette, Anjelica Marsh, Leah Kiehl and Sarah Arata. In the outfield, freshmen Samantha Bautista and Kara Zimmerman will compete for playing time, while freshman catcher Allison Hartwell will provide added depth behind the plate. “It has been a while since we’ve seen this much talent from a freshmen class,” said Zanic. “We will throw them into the fire and hopefully not get burned.”

What to Expect
Geneva will be competing against some of its oldest rivals in the upcoming season. As the Golden Tornadoes begin play in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference, they will face off against the likes of Westminster, Waynesburg, Grove City and Washington & Jefferson. In a very competitive PAC, Geneva will have its hands full against some of the finest programs in the region.

While Geneva will not be eligible for the PAC post-season this year, it will be striving for a return trip to the NCCAA National Tournament. Last year, the Golden Tornadoes advanced into the semi-finals of the nationals before bowing out to Olivet Nazarene. This season, Geneva would like to make a return trip to the nationals, which will be held in West Palm Beach, Fl. The Golden Tornadoes will be hosting the Eastern Regional Tournament against Mt. Vernon Nazarene and Malone, both long time foes from the American Mideast Conference and the NAIA. “We have a tremendous opportunity in front of us,” said Zanic. “We have the chance to host our regional tournament on our new field with a chance to get down to Florida and compete for a national title. We certainly have the talent to have a tremendous season, but we will have to compete against some very good programs.”

Expectations have been through the roof ever since Zanic started his tenure as coach back in 2003. Regardless of the opponent, regardless of the conference and regardless of field, Geneva softball has always remained a staple of success. “We pride ourselves in maintaining a certain level of excellence in this program year after year. Whether it is on the field or in the classroom, our student-athletes strive for perfection. This will be an especially challenging year as we begin play in our new conference, but I am confident we will be competitive.”

Coach Zanic may speak of a goal to be competitive, but Geneva softball has been more than competitive in recent years. Teams are judged by wins and losses and this softball program has been judged impressively of late and the 2008 season should prove to be no different.