Princeton University Athletics
2002 Season Outlook
February 26, 2002 | Softball
Feb. 26, 2002
2002 Q&A
Hey, Coach Davies, how much of an education did you get last year as a freshman?
As an undergraduate, Maureen Davies, Princeton Class of 1997, was one of the most dominant players in the history of the program. She led her team to three Ivy League championships, pitched in the College World Series, won the league's Rookie of the Year and Pitcher of the Year awards and was twice a first-team all-league selection. When her coach, Cindy Cohen, retired after the 2000 season, Davies was the logical successor. She guided Princeton to a 20-19 overall record and 8-6 league record in her rookie season a year ago. Now, one full season and one standout recruiting class later, she is a much different coach. "I learned a lot about myself, the team, the coaching staff, and the program," she says. "Last year was something of a growing experience. There were a lot of positive things that came out of last season, and now I have a much clearer vision of what we need to work on in order to reach our goals." How do you know Maureen Davies is already a veteran coach?
Because when asked: "What concerns you about your team?" She responded: "Everything concerns me somewhat." Despite this very coach-like answer, Davies is excited by the mix that her team has of top-flight veterans and six freshmen. "We're talented," she says. "The question is whether we put it all together. We're strong. We have good chemistry and we have depth."
What's the goal?
"To be a better team at the end of everyday and ultimately win the Ivy League championship," Davies says.
How do you get there?
Davies has a philosophy: "Our focus is on the day to day process, striving for excellence in everything that we do. If we can do this, the outcome will take care of itself."
Who were the key losses from last year?
Princeton graduated five seniors, four of whom were starters. The Tigers lost both catchers, Vicki Siesta and Devon Keefe, as well as third baseman Lauren Poniatowski and outfielder Lori Volker. Those four were all starters from freshman year on. Keefe was a first-team All-Ivy selection a year ago.
What are the strengths of this year's team?
Davies is relying on the combination of an experienced group of upperclassmen and a quick and talented freshman squad. Returning for the Tigers is Brie Galicinao who a year ago became the first Ivy League softball player ever to win Pitcher of the Year and Player of the Year in the same season. Galicinao was second in the league in hitting at .364, and she added a 0.64 earned run average. She will again be counted on for her skills in both areas and will serve as the team captain. Davies is expecting four or five freshmen to break into the starting line up. In a word, this year's freshman class is fast. Not only will the youngsters put some speed out on the base paths, they will bolster an already strong defence.
Will Galicinao pitch both ends of doubleheaders?
Ideally, no. "It is not a question of whether she can do it," Davies says. "Brie can do it, but we don't want her to have to. We have depth in our pitching staff." Davies is counting on two young pitchers to step up into the No. 2 spot. Sophomore Wendy Bingham went 5-6 a year ago, and she and freshman Melissa Finley each has a shot at significant starts, especially in the league. Sarah Jane White is a veteran pitcher who is coming off an injury, but if healthy will round out the staff.
Who will take over behind the plate?
Davies had two veteran catchers in her first season, she has none in her second. Either Keefe or Siesta was the starting catcher in almost every game for the last four years, and both have graduated. Princeton will certainly be younger behind the plate. There are three contenders for the spot, and it's possible that some sort of rotation will emerge. Sophomore Suzanne Spence is the oldest, but she has almost no game experience. Two freshmen, Ty Ries and Lauren Palmer, start on equal footing with Spence. One wild card in the catcher race is that the best defender has an edge, Galicinao will hit when she pitches, so another player could play only the field and have the DP bat.
Where will Galicinao play when she's not pitching?
She could either be the DP, or she could play first base. If she isn't playing first base, then sophomore Kristin Del Calvo, who started 26 games last season, will be. Del Calvo is a power hitter and a good defensive first baseman who split the position with Galicinao a year ago.
What's up in the middle?
Princeton has three middle infielders for two spots. Kim Veenstra, a senior, is easily the most experienced, and ideally she would be the everyday shortstop. Unfortunately, Veenstra, who hit .333 last spring, has shoulder problems that kept her out of fall ball and may limit her ability in the spring. Mackenzie Forsythe played second base last year as a sophomore, but she didn't bat much until the end of the season. Once she got a chance to swing away, she responded, batting four for nine in the second half of the Ivy season. Kristin Lueke, another freshman, figures to be the lead-off hitter. The only question for her is a position, and she could play either second, short or the outfield.
Who's on third?
No, who's on first. Becky Nemec's on third. Nemec is a freshman with great hands and a strong arm who is also a power hitter. The plan is to have her be a fixture at third. In case that plan doesn't work out, then Peggy Han is also in the mix.
How crowded is the outfield?
Before the season starts, very. Jen Neil who batted .253 last season was a starter last year in left field, and she figures to move over to center to take over for Volker. Neil brings a great deal to the lineup: She can hit left-handed or right-handed, can bunt, is a slap hitter, has good speed and is very aggressive. Wendy Bingham (.254) played right field last year, and she and fellow pitcher Melissa Finley could each play the outfield when not on the mound. Of course, so could the other freshman Lueke, not to mention Erin Valocsik and Lauren Chmielewski, who could play when one of the others is pitching. Finally, there is another outfielder, freshman Nicole Davida, who will compete for a spot.
What's on the schedule?
Princeton opens its season at Kansas before spring break, playing in a tournament that guarantees five games. After that is a trip to Atlanta for spring break, with the hope that the weather improves from last year's three-rainout trip to the Peach State.
How does the league look?
Cornell and Harvard are the defending co-champs, but the league continues to be very balanced. Princeton, winner of 12 championships in the 21 years of Ivy League softball, figures to be there with anyone.