SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University softball team is expected to get its 2016 season underway this weekend when it visits Oakland City University on Friday and Saturday. With a good mix of experienced upperclassmen and newcomer skill, the Cougars look to build on last year’s campaign.
In order to be successful and climb the Crossroads League standings, unity and playing strong as one will be the key for this year’s squad.
“The key for this year’s team will be working together as a unit,” said head coach Deb Thompson. “Everyone doing their part together, and raising the level of play every time we compete.”
The Cougars are loaded with experience returning 13 players from a season ago, including 12 upperclassmen. Coach Thompson brings back two of her top three hitters in Savannah Weaver and Kaitlyn Sinclair, as well as her leading run producer in Beka Bentz. Weaver posted a team-best .352 batting average last year. The junior third baseman also recorded seven doubles, two home runs and scored 21 runs. Sinclair finished with a .315 average and tied for the team lead with three round trippers. She also recorded 22 runs scored and 16 runs batted in. Bentz led the Cougars with 24 RBIs in 2015. The senior centerfielder also batted .277 with 11 doubles and stole a team-high six bases.
The SAU lineup will also feature junior first baseman Liz Campeau and senior backstops Kasidy Coats and Bekah Guy. Campeau hit .293 last season while slugging at a team-best .535 clip. She racked up 17 extra-base hits, including 13 doubles and three home runs. Coats owned a career-best .282 batting average as a junior and drove in 18 runs. Guy ranked second on the team with 25 runs scored while hitting .260 and notching 18 RBIs.
Spring Arbor’s top two pitchers will also be returning to the circle in 2016. Sinclair, an Honorable Mention All-Crossroads League selection, earned a team-high nine wins last season giving her 19 career victories heading into her final year. The senior from Oil City, Ontario recorded two shutouts and owned a 4.41 earned run average. Also back is sophomore Kelsey Brown. Brown won five games during her freshman season and posted a 5.46 ERA.
Thompson has also brought in a talented class of newcomers. Joining the Cougars will be Amber Beal, Aubrey Herrema, Olivia O’Connor, Hannah Rozeveld, Kyla Semones and Sydney Taylor.
Following its trip to Oakland City, Spring Arbor will head south to Clermont, Florida for its annual spring trip. There, the Cougars are scheduled to play 13 contests in six days from Mar. 4-11.
Spring Arbor will host Siena Heights University in its home opener on Wednesday, Mar. 16 at 3:30 p.m. Crossroads League play is slated to begin Saturday, Mar. 19 at Bethel College.