2009 Softball Preview
Thursday, January 22, 2009 | Softball
The 2009 Florida Softball Team is well under way preparing itself for the upcoming season. The Gators are looking forward to 36 scheduled home games starting with a three-game series with the Baylor Bears on Friday, Feb. 6.
This year's team returns all but one starter from the Women's College World Series Gators of 2008, including five All-Americans and four All-Southeastern Conference selections. The 2008 Gators rewrote the record books by setting or tying 32 school records. They also set a new NCAA record by winning 70 games in the 2008 season. The Gators are led by seven returning seniors whose hope is to end their season in Oklahoma City at the WCWS.
Outfielders
The Gator outfield returns senior centerfielder Kim Waleszonia (Fontana, Calif.) and junior left fielder Francesca Enea (Woodland Hills, Calif.). The All-American duo will welcome sophomore Kelsey Bruder (Corona, Calif.) as the new right fielder. Other possible contributors to the Gator's last line of defense are seniors Brooke Johnson (Lakeland, Fla.) and Danyell Hines (Bryan, Texas) and freshmen Alicia Sisco (Cooper City, Fla.) and Michelle Moultrie (Jacksonville, Fla.). Johnson saw time in 61 games last year and will continue to be a strong element in the Gator's defense.
Waleszonia, the two-time NFCA and Easton All-American will continue to be the spark at the top of the Gator's lineup. The Fontana, Calif., native set school records in 2008 for at bats (249), runs (62) and tied the record for triples (5) and stolen bases (24).
The Gators will look to their left fielder again this year for some power and run production. Last season Enea led the team in RBIs (64) and home runs (17). She also was the source of much of the Gator offense during the postseason as she was named to both the SEC All-Tournament team and the WCWS All-Tournament team.
Rounding out the outfield is Bruder. The Florida Softball team will look to her for some pop in the middle of the line-up. The lefty power hitter may also see some time in the circle.
Infielders
The infield returns all four starters from last year's squad including two NFCA and Easton All-Americans, first baseman senior Ali Gardiner (Waccabuc, N.Y.) and sophomore second baseman Aja Paculba (Wildomar, Calif.). The left side returns sophomore shortstop Megan Bush (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) and junior third baseman Corrie Brooks (Christmas, Fla.). Providing depth on the dirt this year for the Florida softball team are senior Le-Net Franklin (Belton, Texas) and redshirt freshman Shaunice Harris (Moreno Valley, Calif.) and freshman Lauren Heil (Pembroke Pines, Fla.).
The Gators will look to Gardiner again this year for consistency at the plate as she boasted a team-leading and single-season record batting average of .407. She also led the team in hits (88), doubles (18), slugging percentage (.616), on-base percentage (.508) and walks (42).
Paculba will also be a key to the Gators both defensively and offensively. The middle infielder had an impressive freshman campaign being the first freshman in Gator Softball history to be named an NFCA and Easton All-American. She also tied for third in batting average (.336) and on-base percentage (.437), while scoring 61 runs, which ranked second among the Gators last year.
Bush was second last year in home runs with 13 last season. The SEC All-Freshman selection will resume the anchor position at shortstop with the help of Brooks at third base in 2009. The Gators will look to the corner infielder for more outstanding plays with her quick glove and strong arm.
Pitchers and Catchers
Returning in the circle for the Florida Softball team are senior Stacey Nelson (Los Alamitos, Calif.) and sophomore Stephanie Brombacher (Pembroke Pines, Fla.). Nelson led the pitching staff in wins (47), saves (5), ERA (0.75) and strikeouts (363). The two-time NFCA and Easton All-America selection and the Gators ace will continue to propel the bullpen. Nelson was also selected as the 2008 SEC Pitcher of the Year and was named one of the top-10 finalists for USA Softball National Player of the Year. She also holds the single-season record in 10 pitching categories as well as seven career records.
The undefeated whirler, Stephanie Brombacher (20-0), will serve a large role to go along with Nelson in the circle this year. The Gators will look to the SEC All-Freshman selection to provide support and consistency on the mound. Last year she recorded nearly a 5-to-1 strikeouts-to-walks ratio as she struck out 123 batters and only walked 25 batters.
Completing the battery for Nelson and Brombacher are catchers senior Kristina Hilberth (Dunedin, Fla.), sophomores Tiffany DeFelice (Coral Springs, Fla.) and Kristine Priebe (Moorpark, Calif.). Hilberth started in 69 games, most of those being behind the plate. Last year she led the team in fielding percentage (.992) and currently holds the school record for career fielding percentage (.995). DeFelice was primarily the designated hitter last year for the Gators as she started in 60 games, but will see time behind the plate in 2009. She ranked second in on-base percentage last year (.443) but may be better known for her battles at the plate. At the WCWS, DeFelice fought through a 23-pitch at bat.
See the Gators in action on Friday, Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. for their first home opener in five years as they take on Baylor at the Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
