SCC SOFTBALL TEAM HAS ITS EYES ON THE REGIONAL TITLE

    Beginning her second season as the St. Charles Community College head softball coach, Cassandra Samson is working to create a winning tradition at SCC.

    The Cougars’ ability to climb the ranks within their region will be dependent on a group of mostly fresh faces, as Samson guides a young team into the 2007 season.  This year’s squad features only four sophomores, two returners and two transfers.

    “Having only four sophomores on the team means that we lose some experience but at the same time it means it’s kind of a fresh start for everybody,” Samson said.

    Two newcomers will bolster the SCC pitching staff.  Sophomore transfer Lindsay Parker (Timberland) and freshman Ashley Frazzetta (Francis Howell) will serve as the team’s main two starters.

    Parker and Frazzetta will need to be at the top of their games because of a rash of preseason injuries to starting infielders.  Having a banged up infield heading into the season has left the Cougars susceptible defensively and will be an area of focus as the season swings into gear.

    “Our greatest struggle will be in the infield because of all the injuries,” Samson said.  “We had a pretty strong defense last year but couldn’t produce a lot of runs at times.  This year I focused a lot on the offense but all of the injuries have kept us from putting the same focus on defense.”

    Samson is looking to several players to be key contributors offensively.  Sophomore Brooke Meyer (Hazelwood Central) comes to SCC via St. Louis Community College-Meramec and is expected to be a potent addition, starting in center field and batting near the top of the order.

    Freshman Rebecca Silvey (Bowling Green) has already proven to be a versatile offensive weapon, switching from a right-handed hitter to a lefty during the preseason.

    Conference games are important for tournament seeding and for providing comparison to peer programs.  But Samson sees the key stretch for this season as the week prior to the regional tournament, when SCC will compete at the Indian Hills Tournament in Ottumwa, Iowa.

    “It’s a great tournament, really competitive, and great for the girls right before regionals,” Samson said.  “I expect it to fire them up a little bit because they will see some good competition instead of the same teams we see around here all the time.”

    It is experience like the Indian Hills Tournament late in the year that Samson sees as providing the team with a chance to get over the hump and change the way they are perceived by other teams in the conference.

    “In the past, we’ve been looked at as a pushover team, finishing fairly low every year at regionals,” Samson said.  “I want to come out strong this year and catch everyone off guard, make a really good showing at regionals, and have a shot to advance to nationals.”

    The Cougars start their season with a doubleheader on the road against Lindenwood at
3 p.m. Thursday, March 1.  SCC plays its home opener at 2 p.m. Monday, March 5, when it hosts Southwestern Illinois College, and continues its two-game homestand with a doubleheader against Forest Park at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 8.

Back To News