Princeton University Athletics
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Softball to Open 2008 Season at George Mason Tournament This Weekend
February 27, 2008 | Softball
PRINCETON -- The Princeton softball team will begin its 2008 season Friday with a three-day, four-game tournament at George Mason in Fairfax, Va.
Princeton will face Niagara for single games Friday at 3 p.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m., followed by games Sunday against Quinnipiac at 1 p.m. and George Mason at 3 p.m.
Princeton has never faced Niagara or Quinnipiac and won its only two meetings with George Mason in 1991 and 2003.
The Tigers finished 24-29 last season in the first year under the divisional format in the Ivy League. Princeton finished 12-8 in the Ivy South division as the league schedule moved from 14 games to 20. The Tigers had made their seventh NCAA tournament appearance just a year earlier in 2006.
Princeton returns 11 letterwinners and seven starters from last year's team, graduating starters in outfielder Stephanie Steel and designated player/pitcher Calli Jo Varner.
The Tigers will also be playing for a new coach, or rather the same coach with a new title. Maureen Barron, who led Princeton for seven seasons, left her post to relocate to Texas with husband and former Princeton women's basketball coach Richard Barron, who is now the associate head coach of Baylor women's basketball.
Trina Salcido, an assistant coach under Barron for three seasons, was named as Barron's successor late last spring. Salcido's season preview Q&A is below.
The Tigers return three players who have earned first-team All-Ivy honors during their careers including senior pitcher Kristen Schaus, junior infielder Kathryn Welch and junior outfielder Brianna Moreno.
As is usually the case with Ivy League schools starting play only this weekend, all three teams Princeton will face have already had game experience.
George Mason is 0-5 after a season-opening tournament at Central Florida last weekend but counts a 1-0 loss to 2006 NCAA champion Michigan and a 3-1 loss to an SEC school in Auburn among those losses. Niagara is 0-4 after starting its season in Greensboro, N.C. two weekends ago. Quinnipiac is 2-2 following a tournament at Longwood in Virginia last weekend with both wins coming over Norfolk State.
Head coach Trina Salcido's season preview Q&A:
With the loss of Stephanie Steel in the outfield and Calli Jo Varner at designated player, how do you see those positions filled?
Stephanie Steel was a fierce competitor with natural presence in centerfield and as a leadoff batter. Having played along side her for two years, Brianna Moreno is ready to lend her own style of athleticism and intensity to lead our outfield and batting lineup.
Calli Jo Varner left her mark offensively as our designated player, known for her ability to change the momentum of a game and series with one swing of the bat. We have several people ready to fill those shoes as an offensive threat. The most obvious candidate, when not in the outfield, is Kelsey Quist. Kelsey's power, bat speed and eye for the ball are what make her a run producing threat against any pitcher in the country.
What strides has the pitching staff made to bounce back from last season?
The pitching staff is looking forward to a fresh start for the 2008 season and all three are determined to set a tone of confidence in the circle. They have been working tirelessly on their fitness, explosiveness and endurance and are in great physical shape with the strength and talent to throw big innings.
Kris Schaus will lead the staff, using her three years of experience to her advantage. She has had a very successful career as a Tiger and is focused on making her senior season her best performance yet. We are looking to her to lead the charge back to the top of the Ivy League as she is the only pitcher on our roster who has won an Ivy championship.
Jamie Lettire, when not at first base, will see more innings in the circle this year. She has made great strides during the offseason and has improved all aspects of her pitching game. We are confident that she will continue to get even better as the season progresses.
Michelle Tolfa, a freshman, is coming off a great fall campaign and we expect her to make an immediate impact this year. She keeps hitters off-balance with her movement and control and will be exciting to watch.
What contributions do you expect from the other three freshmen?
Like every aspect of my coaching philosophy, my expectations are high. Our four freshmen are the perfect combination of talented, motivated and passionate young athletes who are ready to make their mark on and for Princeton softball. Since Day One and throughout the fall and winter, our freshmen have sustained their level of intensity and risen to the physical and academic demands of being a Princeton student-athlete. They continue to push themselves and those around them, showing the maturity and leadership we hope will surface from our younger players.
Kristin Arguedas is an excellent infielder with a great glove and quick release from every position on the dirt. Her dynamic ability on defense is accompanied by her tremendous swing, making her one of our newest offensive threats. Its only a matter of time before we decide at which position Kristin will settle in, but we are confident that she and Kat Welch will be a compliment to one another.
Brittany Scott is an explosive, quick footed outfielder whose pure athleticism and instincts make for an exciting addition to the lineup. We expect Brittany to make an immediate impact in the outfield and assume a role of an extra-base hitter by using her speed on the base paths.
Megan Weidrick is our corner addition to the infield. Her quick reaction time, sharp glove and powerful arm will defend against the short game and protect the line. Megan's ability to drive the ball on a line to all fields will provide for another tough out in the batting lineup.
What is your view of how the Ivy League shapes up this year?
The Ivy League continues to elevate the level of athletes being recruited, the difficulty of scheduled competition and the commitment to building programs that are respected on the national level. Therefore, every year my expectations grow and I prepare for stiffer competition from all seven of our competitors. Obviously being the reigning Ivy champions, Harvard will be the team to beat. Penn also had a tremendous season in 2007, so it will be a matter of us taking everybody seriously and focusing on one opponent at a time.
After coming up short of an Ivy League title last season, how has that motivated the team for this season?
Princeton softball has a long history of success, but last year proves that tradition doesn't guarantee championships. We have always been blessed with talented athletes who understand the concept of hard work, daily effort and the commitment that goes into a championship season. The difference this year is that we are putting all the concepts into action and holding one another accountable for the small details that can transform a team from good to great. It's one thing to talk about being better everyday and another to actually do it. Rather than trying to forget last season, we have chosen to learn from it and allow the lessons to make us better. There is a new energy about the team's personal and collective mission. This energy exudes a confidence based on self and mutual respect for one another as teammates and the passion that makes them pursue the standard of excellence that is Princeton softball.