Season Outlook: Millersville softball counting on versatility, team chemistry in 2020
2/10/2020 8:20:00 AM | Softball
MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - Millersville University softball head coach Jen Probst is counting on versatility and team chemistry to help the team rise above the sixth-place projection in the PSAC East Preseason Poll.
The Marauders are coming off a 20-31 season and return six full-time starters to the lineup as well as two starting pitchers. In the first 36 years of the program's history, it produced zero PSAC Tournament appearances. Probst's teams have already qualified twice. If the team is to return to the postseason in 2020, it will be because of its power-hitting prowess (Millersville ranked second in the PSAC in homers last season) and a veteran pitching staff infused with some young talent.
It is an exceedingly young roster with just six upperclassmen including two seniors—Rebecca Blatt and Emma Bevard. Seven true freshmen make up a large percentage of the roster, but according to Probst, the team has gelled, and the team culture has been a focus after a challenging 2019 season.
"We took our licks last year," said Probst. "We all came back humbled and ready to do things differently. That's been a big jumping off point for everyone buying in…Right now our team culture is at an all-time high. We spent the fall with one goal only: build trust through discipline and good communication. We accomplished that goal a lot quicker than I expected us to. A lot of it has to do with our leadership and the rookies came in with 100 percent buy-in, ready to learn. You put those two things together, everyone, team culture-wise is so good right now."
Helping to drive the positive environment are the team's captains: Blatt, Faith Willenbrock and Devan Masciulli.
"They give us on-field leadership throughout the whole field," said Probst. "They also bring different styles of leadership—leading on the field, in the classroom, vocally. The three work so well together. They have been able to keep an eye on everything and keep everyone moving in the same direction toward our team goals."
Not only providing leadership, but also production, Willenbrock is the engine to the offense. The junior is already a two-time All-Atlantic Region selection and Millersville's all-time home run leader. Willenbrock hit .362 with a 1.115 OPS, 11 doubles and 14 home runs in 2019. Willenbrock split time between catcher and outfield last season but will find likely see more time as the designated player and in the infield this season.
Willenbrock won't be the only Marauder changing positions in the field. Blatt, the team's starting shortstop for three seasons, figures to see time behind the plate. Blatt earned All-PSAC East First Team honors as a sophomore, hitting .355 with 11 homers and 52 RBIs in 2018. Last year, however, injuries from the offseason decreased her offensive production, and she hit .200 with four homers in 48 games. Probst has been impressed with Blatt's focus and leadership, and hopes for a turnaround season at the plate.
"I never really try to predict what a player or a team will do going into a season, but I will say that this is the most focused I've seen her," said Probst. "This is the best leadership she has given us. She has a goal to leave this team and program in a better place than where she found it. She is making things happen, putting things in motion for that to happen this year. The way she has taken the rookies under her wing and passed on her knowledge in and outside of softball—the impact she is going to leave is apparent."
As for her transition to catching, it looks seamless.
"Blatt has our fastest pop time. She is a great leader behind the plate," said Probst. "The game begins and ends with the pitcher and the catcher so you really need to have people there who can manage the game. She does that well as a shortstop and as a catcher. We've seen how important it is to have that player behind the plate."
When Blatt is behind the plate, expect junior Brianna Battavio to slide from third base to shortstop. Battavio started 50 games in her first season with the Marauders and ranked second on the team in hitting with a .307 average while posting a .443 on base percentage. Consistent with the strength of the team, Battavio's versatility will be put to work as Probst plans to utilize her as a pitcher this season.
"I'm really excited," said Probst. "She was a good pitcher in high school. The school where she transferred to us from, she wasn't utilized as a pitcher there. We had so much depth last year that it wasn't something that we put a lot of time into. She's now throwing as many bullpens and live sessions as our (primary) pitchers. I really feel like her arm is conditioned and ready to go. She throws hard, she moves the ball, so that is really exciting."
Another Marauder who will see time as both an infielder and pitcher is freshman Gabi Turner, a graduate of nearby Hempfield High School. Turner earned three All-Lancaster-Lebanon League selections pitching and playing in the infield.
"We'll see a huge impact from Gabi Turner," said Probst. "She has added three to four MPH to her pitching speeds. She got her control down. She's got all the tools and all the pitches. And that kid can swing a bat--scary good. She will be in the lineup all the time as a pitcher, first baseman or DP."
Turner and fellow freshman Karysa Karas played travel ball together for former Millersville baseball standout Todd Garber, and Karas is freshman expected to play a significant role.
"She had a phenomenal fall," said Probst. "She was our quality at bat leader. She has developed a tremendous amount. She comes from a really good high school with a good high school coach and a tremendous travel ball coach. Give credit where credit is due, both coaches did a great job with her, helping her get to this level. She is coachable, buys in to the mindset of becoming a home run hitter. She sent so many balls out of the park in the fall. She made a few changes to her swing to fit what we are doing. Defensively, other than pitcher and catcher, she can play anywhere. I can see her playing third base and in the outfield."
Freshman Lacy Strait from Millersburg Area was slowed in the preseason by an injury but is expected to return and play on the right side of the infield.
"I definitely see good things out of her this year," said Probst.
Also in the infield mix is redshirt freshman Savannah Kolenda and rookie Sam Fried. Brittany Little caught in 31 games as a freshman last season as well.
Sophomore Hunter Little will play all over the field on defense and hit in the middle of the lineup. Little hit .250 with eight doubles and eight home run as a freshman.
Masciulli enters her third season as a starter in the outfield and owns a .254 career batting average. With her speed and ability to put the ball in play, Probst figures her into the leadoff spot. Sophomore Alexis Staniec is also a returning starter in the outfield. She logged 44 starters as a freshman. She's a left-handed slap-hitter who can hit at the top of the lineup or turn the lineup over as the No. 9 hitter.
"One really great thing about our team is that we have a ton of flexibility," said Probst. "When one person moves, we don't miss a beat. Three, four moves happen and everyone is comfortable in their second, third position. Literally everyone will play for us this year which is really exciting. We have a smaller roster but we have a lot of depth within that. There is no one that I can't put anywhere."
While Battavio and Turner will contribute in the circle, Millersville will ride the arm of senior Emma Bevard. She has seen plenty of action over her first three seasons, posting an 18-18 record and 4.05 ERA over 240 innings. Last season, she totaled 103 1/3 innings in 16 starts and 30 appearances. This season, she will be the Marauders' go-to starter.
"A lot is on Emma but she is so ready for that responsibility," said Probst. "She's been preparing for it. She went one year where we looked at her to be a closer and that's all she did and went undefeated with 90 percent of her outings closing games. The next year we turned around and asked her to be a starter. She's played in playoff games. She has all the experience she needs to have. She's been working really hard on location, mixing speeds. She's in great pitching shape. She can throw forever. As long as she can mix it up, keep hitters off balance, we can really ride innings from her."
Maddie Guinane gives the Marauders experience in the circle as well. She appeared in 17 games with three starts last season appears set to take on a larger role as a sophomore.
"Gabi and Maddie, they are right in there," said Probst. "They both move the ball similarly. That's a nice counter to Emma's spin pitches. (Battavio), if we need her we can use her. She's up for whatever. She'll do whatever is best for team."
Millesville faces stiff competition in the ever-challenging PSAC East. West Chester landed a national preseason ranking of No. 8. Four teams in the division posted winning records in 2019, and the league also added Shepherd which went 42-18 and lost to West Chester in the third game of the NCAA Super Regional last season.
The Marauders are coming off a 20-31 season and return six full-time starters to the lineup as well as two starting pitchers. In the first 36 years of the program's history, it produced zero PSAC Tournament appearances. Probst's teams have already qualified twice. If the team is to return to the postseason in 2020, it will be because of its power-hitting prowess (Millersville ranked second in the PSAC in homers last season) and a veteran pitching staff infused with some young talent.
It is an exceedingly young roster with just six upperclassmen including two seniors—Rebecca Blatt and Emma Bevard. Seven true freshmen make up a large percentage of the roster, but according to Probst, the team has gelled, and the team culture has been a focus after a challenging 2019 season.
"We took our licks last year," said Probst. "We all came back humbled and ready to do things differently. That's been a big jumping off point for everyone buying in…Right now our team culture is at an all-time high. We spent the fall with one goal only: build trust through discipline and good communication. We accomplished that goal a lot quicker than I expected us to. A lot of it has to do with our leadership and the rookies came in with 100 percent buy-in, ready to learn. You put those two things together, everyone, team culture-wise is so good right now."
Helping to drive the positive environment are the team's captains: Blatt, Faith Willenbrock and Devan Masciulli.
"They give us on-field leadership throughout the whole field," said Probst. "They also bring different styles of leadership—leading on the field, in the classroom, vocally. The three work so well together. They have been able to keep an eye on everything and keep everyone moving in the same direction toward our team goals."
Not only providing leadership, but also production, Willenbrock is the engine to the offense. The junior is already a two-time All-Atlantic Region selection and Millersville's all-time home run leader. Willenbrock hit .362 with a 1.115 OPS, 11 doubles and 14 home runs in 2019. Willenbrock split time between catcher and outfield last season but will find likely see more time as the designated player and in the infield this season.
Willenbrock won't be the only Marauder changing positions in the field. Blatt, the team's starting shortstop for three seasons, figures to see time behind the plate. Blatt earned All-PSAC East First Team honors as a sophomore, hitting .355 with 11 homers and 52 RBIs in 2018. Last year, however, injuries from the offseason decreased her offensive production, and she hit .200 with four homers in 48 games. Probst has been impressed with Blatt's focus and leadership, and hopes for a turnaround season at the plate.
"I never really try to predict what a player or a team will do going into a season, but I will say that this is the most focused I've seen her," said Probst. "This is the best leadership she has given us. She has a goal to leave this team and program in a better place than where she found it. She is making things happen, putting things in motion for that to happen this year. The way she has taken the rookies under her wing and passed on her knowledge in and outside of softball—the impact she is going to leave is apparent."
As for her transition to catching, it looks seamless.
"Blatt has our fastest pop time. She is a great leader behind the plate," said Probst. "The game begins and ends with the pitcher and the catcher so you really need to have people there who can manage the game. She does that well as a shortstop and as a catcher. We've seen how important it is to have that player behind the plate."
When Blatt is behind the plate, expect junior Brianna Battavio to slide from third base to shortstop. Battavio started 50 games in her first season with the Marauders and ranked second on the team in hitting with a .307 average while posting a .443 on base percentage. Consistent with the strength of the team, Battavio's versatility will be put to work as Probst plans to utilize her as a pitcher this season.
"I'm really excited," said Probst. "She was a good pitcher in high school. The school where she transferred to us from, she wasn't utilized as a pitcher there. We had so much depth last year that it wasn't something that we put a lot of time into. She's now throwing as many bullpens and live sessions as our (primary) pitchers. I really feel like her arm is conditioned and ready to go. She throws hard, she moves the ball, so that is really exciting."
Another Marauder who will see time as both an infielder and pitcher is freshman Gabi Turner, a graduate of nearby Hempfield High School. Turner earned three All-Lancaster-Lebanon League selections pitching and playing in the infield.
"We'll see a huge impact from Gabi Turner," said Probst. "She has added three to four MPH to her pitching speeds. She got her control down. She's got all the tools and all the pitches. And that kid can swing a bat--scary good. She will be in the lineup all the time as a pitcher, first baseman or DP."
Turner and fellow freshman Karysa Karas played travel ball together for former Millersville baseball standout Todd Garber, and Karas is freshman expected to play a significant role.
"She had a phenomenal fall," said Probst. "She was our quality at bat leader. She has developed a tremendous amount. She comes from a really good high school with a good high school coach and a tremendous travel ball coach. Give credit where credit is due, both coaches did a great job with her, helping her get to this level. She is coachable, buys in to the mindset of becoming a home run hitter. She sent so many balls out of the park in the fall. She made a few changes to her swing to fit what we are doing. Defensively, other than pitcher and catcher, she can play anywhere. I can see her playing third base and in the outfield."
Freshman Lacy Strait from Millersburg Area was slowed in the preseason by an injury but is expected to return and play on the right side of the infield.
"I definitely see good things out of her this year," said Probst.
Also in the infield mix is redshirt freshman Savannah Kolenda and rookie Sam Fried. Brittany Little caught in 31 games as a freshman last season as well.
Sophomore Hunter Little will play all over the field on defense and hit in the middle of the lineup. Little hit .250 with eight doubles and eight home run as a freshman.
Masciulli enters her third season as a starter in the outfield and owns a .254 career batting average. With her speed and ability to put the ball in play, Probst figures her into the leadoff spot. Sophomore Alexis Staniec is also a returning starter in the outfield. She logged 44 starters as a freshman. She's a left-handed slap-hitter who can hit at the top of the lineup or turn the lineup over as the No. 9 hitter.
"One really great thing about our team is that we have a ton of flexibility," said Probst. "When one person moves, we don't miss a beat. Three, four moves happen and everyone is comfortable in their second, third position. Literally everyone will play for us this year which is really exciting. We have a smaller roster but we have a lot of depth within that. There is no one that I can't put anywhere."
While Battavio and Turner will contribute in the circle, Millersville will ride the arm of senior Emma Bevard. She has seen plenty of action over her first three seasons, posting an 18-18 record and 4.05 ERA over 240 innings. Last season, she totaled 103 1/3 innings in 16 starts and 30 appearances. This season, she will be the Marauders' go-to starter.
"A lot is on Emma but she is so ready for that responsibility," said Probst. "She's been preparing for it. She went one year where we looked at her to be a closer and that's all she did and went undefeated with 90 percent of her outings closing games. The next year we turned around and asked her to be a starter. She's played in playoff games. She has all the experience she needs to have. She's been working really hard on location, mixing speeds. She's in great pitching shape. She can throw forever. As long as she can mix it up, keep hitters off balance, we can really ride innings from her."
Maddie Guinane gives the Marauders experience in the circle as well. She appeared in 17 games with three starts last season appears set to take on a larger role as a sophomore.
"Gabi and Maddie, they are right in there," said Probst. "They both move the ball similarly. That's a nice counter to Emma's spin pitches. (Battavio), if we need her we can use her. She's up for whatever. She'll do whatever is best for team."
Millesville faces stiff competition in the ever-challenging PSAC East. West Chester landed a national preseason ranking of No. 8. Four teams in the division posted winning records in 2019, and the league also added Shepherd which went 42-18 and lost to West Chester in the third game of the NCAA Super Regional last season.
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