2001
TEAM OUTLOOK
2001
Equipped with five seniors and a new head coach, the 2001 Elmhurst College softball team looks to capitalize on its experience and avenge its 24-15 record of last season, when the team narrowly missed making the conference tournament.
"After having one of the stronger seasons in Elmhurst College history, the team fell short of its conference goal last year," Head Coach Lori Brown said. "We have made it our top goal this year to get to our conference tournament and to have a strong showing in the region."
A key to reaching this goal is the versatility of the 2001 squad's players. "Many of our players will see playing time at multiple positions," Brown said. "Our lineup will be able to be changed and still be strong. We have players who are willing and able to play in different positions for the betterment of the team."
Elmhurst will be led by returning pitchers senior Tammy Czeszewski(Elmwood Park-H.S.) and junior Marla Ammazalorso(Chicago-Seton Academy). Czeszewski enters her senior season after a junior year during which she was named to the National Fastball Coached Association (NFCA) All-Region First Team and was an all-conference pitcher.
In addition, Czeszewski broke the school pitching mark for most strikeouts in a season (68) and tied the single-season school batting record for hits (56). She was named the team's Co-Offensive Most Valuable Player.
"Tammy has worked extremely hard this off season and preseason to master a couple of new pitches she picked up last year," Brown said. "She is stronger and more confident now than she was at this time last year, which is important since she will be increasing her number of innings on the mound."
With the graduation of Deanna Ferguson, Czeszewski and Ammazalorso will take on added responsibility. Ammazalorso led the pitching staff last year in number of mound appearances (18), starts (15)and complete games (12), ammassing 102.1 innings pitched.
"Marla has a number of different pitches and can throw them all for strikes," Brown said. "She is strong and each day she increases her pitch count, increasing her endurance.
At the catching position, sophomore newcomer Monica Cozzi (Des Plaines-Maine West) will split time with sophomore returnee Tammy Frank (Glen Ellyn-Glenbard West). Frank posted solid numbers as a freshman, hitting .284 and maintaining a slugging percentage of .365.
"Both of them are young and it will be beneficial for them to be working with our experienced pitchers," Brown said. "Cozzi is a solid defensive catcher but she has been away from the game for a few years due to injuries. Frank learned a lot last year and is gaining more confidence as we get closer and closer to our first game."
Senior shortstop Tammy Bornheim (Stickney-Morton West) and senior second baseman Erin Ninness (Bloomington-Normal Community) will lead the Elmhurst infield. Bornheim was the Bluejay's Defensive MVP last season, boasting a .931 fielding percentage along with her .304 batting average.
"Tammy is quick and very smart at short," Brown said. "She throws on the run well and is aggressive for ground balls deep in the hole."
Ninness, who joined practice after basketball season, is in great shape. "she looks good at second and has a great attitude about improving," Brown said. "She is aggressive and covers the right side of the field well."
Battling with Ninness for playing time is her basketball teammate, freshman Kari Kueper (Glendale Heights-Driscoll Catholic). "Kari joined practice after basketball season strong and in shape," Brown said. "She looks comfortable in the field and it will only be a matter of time before she gets her timing at the plate."
At third base, transfer Jennifer Cappelletti (Schaumburg-H.S.) has earned the starting position, replacing graduate all-region player Justine Gaspari.
"Cappelletti is making the transition from shorstop to third quite well," Brown said. "We will be able to utilize her speed to cover more distance on the left side of the infield. It should be tough for our opponents to find a hole in the infield with Jen and Tammy Bornheim working together."
When she's not on the mound, Czeszewski will play first base. Senior returner and co-captain Kathi Raoch (Elmhurst-York) will then split time between first base and the outfield. Roach hit .360 last season and led the Bluejays in runs with 29.
"I expect another strong year from Kathi. She comes into the season after garnering NFCA All Region second team, all CCIW and team co-Offensive MVP honors."
Freshman Lisa Cosentino (Bloomingdale-Lake Park) will be battling Czeszewski and Roach for playing time at first. "Lisa comes to us from Lake Park High School where she played four years at third base," Brown said. "She is adjusting to the other side of the field quickly and is eager to learn."
In the outfield, the Bluejays have several options as seven of the 15 players have outfield experience and all three co-captains, Sarah Ninness, Raoch and Michele Kaspar (Norridge-The Willows Academy), are outfielders.
"Sarah had a very strong year in the field last year and we expect the same quality performance in her senior season." Brown said of her speedy center fielder. "Roach will see playing time in left field and Kaspar will be working in right."
When Roach is in the infield, sophomre Jen Weller (Vernon Hills-Stevenson) will be in left field. In addition, freshman Kara Van Vooren (Moline-H.S.) will see time in the outfield.
"Kara has been making the transition from the infield to the outfield nicely," Brown said. "We intend on utililizing her speed and strong arm in right field."
Freshman Sandy Seitman (Chicago-Von Steuben) and Ammazalorso have also been working in the outfield, which ads depth for the Bluejays.
"We compete in one of the most competitive conferences in the region so we have strengthened our non-conference schedule to prepare," Brown said. "With the added strength to the schedule I expect to see our players elevate their game."
The Bluejays will get a chance early in the spring to see where they stack up as they travel to Kissimmee, Fla., to compete in the 10-game Rebel Spring Games, March 18-23. The Bluejays' home opener will be against the University of Chicago on March 29.
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Elmhurst is a four-year, private college offering graduate and undergraduate degree programs where the traditions of liberal arts education and preparation for professional life come together with a synergy that gives the College its identity and focus.
The Bluejays are charter members of the CCIW members and compete at the NCAA Division III level. Home games are on the diamond at the southwest corner of the Elmhurst campus, just behind Stanger Hall.