JULIA TIERNAN/YH The Elis will have to keep up a constant offensive barrage to support their pitchers.

Old meets new out on the softball diamond

College sports teams tend to cycle—squads build up a strong core of leaders, only to lose them all to graduation. Then, they face the unenviable task of rebuilding a team around a few talented freshmen. But this year, the Yale softball team will not have to worry about a lack of veteran talent, and will be able to enjoy the fruits of a strong recruiting class. The Bulldogs return seven seniors from last year's squad, including four All-Ivy selections, and will usher in six frosh.

The Bulldogs, currently 6-10, have yet to play against Ivy League competition, but are optimistic despite their early losses. The team competed in Florida during spring break, but struggled to a 1-9 record. "We didn't have the best of luck in Florida, but it was definitely a learning experience," first baseman Monica Lebron, TC '01, said. "Our Florida record is not a preview of what is to come."

Catcher Kristen Maturo, MC '01, was hopeful. "I think we have a great shot at the title," she said. "We have so much talent on our team that we can be very tough to beat when everyone is on her game. If we play up to our capabilities, we can definitely win Ivies this year."

Success in the Ivies will depend on how well the seniors and the freshmen can learn to work together. "The talent in our freshman class gives us incredible depth," Maturo said. Third baseman Laura Beckert, TC '03, agreed: "The seniors have a ton of experience and are definitely the leaders of the team." Outfielder Carlie Ware, SM '00, and second baseman Kathy Ching, BR '00, have already made a substantial impact this season. Ware, batting clean-up, scored two runs, had three RBIs, two hits, and a steal in the team's 9-2 victory over Sacred Heart on Thurs., Mar. 16. In the Bulldogs' only victory in Florida, Ware had several key RBIs, and leads the team in the category. Ching currently holds the Yale record for career stolen bases, and is on track to break the NCAA career record. With 139 steals through her junior year, Ching is a constant threat when running the bases and already has 12 steals this season., four of them coming in the Elis' two wins over Fairfield on Wed., Mar. 22.

Softball

Record: 6-10 (0-0 Ivy) Recent Results: Won vs. Fairfield, 11-0 (5 innings); won vs. Fairfield, 4-2 Coming Up: Fri., Mar. 24 vs. Quinnipiac (doubleheader), 2 p.m.; Sun., Mar. 26 at Providence (doubleheader), 12 p.m.

The pitching staff will have to anchor the team, and will be aided by the return of last year's entire lineup. Captain Kristen Gengaro, SY '00, Teri Hickey, SY '00, and Cara Denver, SM '02, should give the Bulldogs strong starts—Hickey is one of three pitchers with an ERA under 1.50 this season. The team's cumulative ERA is 2.56, a major improvement for a team whose 1999 ERA was almost 3.00. "Our pitchers have been solid all year, and continue to shut down our opponents," Maturo said. In the Bulldogs' first game against Fairfield, Hickey pitched a shutout to lead the Elis to an 11-0 mercy-rule shutout after the fifth inning.

Lebron, a strong hitter, was last year's team leader in both batting average and slugging percentage. She started all 47 games for the Elis, and was a second-team All-Ivy selection. She currently leads the team with nine runs and 12 hits. "If we can play anywhere close to our potential, we will have the best chance at an Ivy championship in my four years here at Yale," Gengaro said.

The Bulldogs' trip to Florida greased the wheels of a rusty squad. "We got to see a lot of people at different positions, and we really learned what it was like to play with the new freshman," Lebron said. The Elis had practiced only in Coxe Cage and on turf prior to Florida, while some of their competition had already played 15 or 20 games.

Since returning from Florida, the team has compiled a 5-1 record against non-league opponents Sacred Heart, St. John's, and Fairfield. As a result of strong offensive play and a solid defense, the Bulldogs scored 23 runs in a doubleheader against Sacred Heart, and allowed just six runs in the six games. The team is currently preparing for a home doubleheader against Quinnipiac on Fri., Mar. 24. "Fairfield and Quinnipiac should be four good games," Lebron said. "But if we bring it all together, it should equal four wins."

The team hopes to be in contention for an Ivy title, and has high aspirations for the season as a whole. "We are learning to make the adjustments necessary to win, and if we continue to improve in this manner, our team has an unlimited amount of potential," Gengaro said. "I have complete confidence in my teammates and our ability to enter the Ivy season as strong contenders for the Ivy championship." The Bulldogs begin Ivy League competition on Sat., Apr. 8, at Pennsylvania.

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