Jan. 8, 2003
FAIRFAX, VA...Returning five starters and four pitchers from last year's 40-win club, George Mason softball head coach Beth Fulcher is looking forward to the 2003 season.
"We have a great team," said Fulcher, the 2002 CAA Coach of the Year after guiding the Patriots to a 40-19 overall record, including a 9-4 mark in the conference. "I have high expectations for them, and they should have high expectations for themselves."
Among the returnees is last year's CAA Rookie of the Year and first team All-CAA honoree, Stacy James, who led the league in batting average (.387) and hits (74). The Patriot shortstop also tied for the league-high mark in triples (3), was second in stolen bases (24) and was third in runs scored (37).
Kim Braxton, a junior who plays first base, will also supply some offensive punch. She was third in the CAA with 30 RBI last year, tied for fourth with four home runs and was fifth with 11 doubles.
Along with James and Braxton, Jen Schultz, a sophomore, returns as an infield starter at third.
The outfield returns two of three starters from last year, senior Tasha Galecki in left and Lisa Painter in right.
Inside the pitching circle, the Patriots return senior Rene Leveque, juniors Miranda Fox and Dianna Austin and sophomore Kathy Hrycyna. All four made at least ten appearances and worked at least 50 innings last year.
"We're in a very good position with our pitchers," said Fulcher. "I am thoroughly confident that any of the four could go out and start, which is great."
Of the foursome, however, Fulcher will be leaning on Leveque to be the staff ace.
Leveque tied for second in the league with a dozen victories last season, coupled with just five loses, and was fifth in ERA at 2.02. She worked the most innings of any Mason pitcher (118) and also paced the team in strikeouts (57).
Primarily working behind the plate will be sophomore Amanda Ayers, while Erin Krafchek, a junior, is also capable of catching.
Patriot newcomers are sophomore transfer Jen Clawson, who comes to Mason from Mary Washington College, and freshmen Meagan Donelan and Missy Hartman.
