Florida Atlantic University Athletics
2001 Softaball Prospectus
2/1/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 1, 2001
Four years ago, Florida Atlantic University softball team won its first Trans America Athletic Conference championship, head coach Joan Joyce wondered what the future would hold. Three more TAAC titles and two-consecutive NCAA Regional appearances came and they came with dominance.
Last season, 2000, posted victories against ranked opponents and dominated the TAAC, while the team posted a team record with wins at 57. In FAU's six-year history, they have followed each season with more wins than the previous year. The FAU pitching staff led the TAAC in ERA (1.13), opponents' batting average (.173), strikeouts (525), fewest homers allowed (7), and total runs allowed (104), and shutouts (29). The Lady Owls also posted a record win streak of 18-consecutive games. They also were ranked as high as no. 21 nationally in the final regular season USA Today/NFCA Coaches Top-25 Poll. The only question one would ask to Coach Joyce would be, how do you follow up that kind of year.
" I want us to hit more," said Joyce. "We did not have a very good offensive season by any means last year, but we pitched well enough and scored just enough runs to come away with the wins we did."
The goal of the 2001 season for the Lady Owls is to win the NCAA Regionals and compete with the best teams in the country at the World Series. Coming into this season, the Lady Owls are ranked 26th nationally by the USA Today/NFCA Poll. This is the highest the Lady Owls have started in pre-season polls.
"I think it is a testament to the girls and how well we have been doing over the years. We want to work hard in order to move up every week because I think we can be one of the top 20 teams in the country."
"In order for us to win the Regionals, we have to hit the ball well and score plenty of runs, not just pitch well like last year. Both our offense and defense have to be working."
Not only has the pitching staff been working hard, but also the coaches have been working hard to keep the pitchers in top form for the upcoming season. With the 1-2-3 punch of Nikki Myers (Jr.), Chris Sutcliffe (Sr.), and Kristie Picon (Sr.), coach Joyce expects nothing but the same intensity and performances out of each one of them.
"They are not as sharp as they were at this time last year, but with the rotation set like it was last year, they should have ample time to rest and refocus themselves," said Joyce.
Junior Nikki Myers is coming off another excellent year. Last year, she threw four no-hitters (two of them back-to-back) and led the FAU pitching staff in every category: a 22-6 record, a .081 ERA, 12 shutouts, and a career- single season high in strikeouts with 325. She earned her second consecutive TAAC Tournament MVP and was named TAAC Player of the Year. She was also named to the All South Region Team and was second in the nation with 10.1 strikeouts per game.
" As Nikki gets older, the more control she will have in her pitching and she continues to work on her control everyday," said Joyce.
Senior Chris Sutcliffe is also coming off an impressive year. She was named to her third TAAC Tournament team, (MVP award in 1997), posted a 20-7 record with a 1.53 ERA, and seven shutouts. She was also named to the TAAC Conference First team, joining Myers.
"Chris is a big game pitcher. She thrives on big-time games. She produces and comes through for our team every time she takes the mound," said Joyce.
Senior Kristie Picon rounds out the pitching staff. Her 1st full season with the Lady Owls proved to be a good one. She posted a 15-2 record and a 1.17 ERA, along with 8 shutouts.
" The more innings Kristie pitches, the better she gets. She is staring to move her pitches around more and is hitting her locations," said Joyce.
Losing only two seniors to graduation and a big incoming class leaves Joyce with plenty of options at each position. The difference between the previous year and this is her ability to play one person at one or possibly two other positions.
"I have never had any real depth at any position until this year. I have had to sacrifice some players and play others out of position, but I feel like I do not need to do that this year," said Joyce. "How people react to the competition and their composure in every situation will be a big factor."
Still, like in previous years, hitting will be the key factor on how she will determine her lineup card.
"I don't want to have to go through what we did last year in the hitting department. I feel anyone at any given time could step up and do the job, and everyone seems anxious to step up to the challenge," said Joyce.
She expects contributions from everyone on the team, but a few people stand out from the rest.
Freshman Ginny Matthews is one of the few who has really impressed coach Joyce with her playing ability.
"Ginny is one of the best disciplined hitters I have seen in a while. She will have one of the highest on-base percentages on the team because she has patience and will work the pitcher for a walk," said Joyce. "She is also a quick outfielder who can track most balls down in the outfield."
Freshman Annie Norton, from Loxley, AL, is one of the many versatile players on the team She can play first base and third base and is a strong power hitter. "She has such power at the plate and is an aggressive hitter so I expect her to be in the lineup," said Joyce.
Freshman Callie Piper from Wichita, KS, is another person who can play multiple positions on the field. She can play third base and she also catches Myers behind the plate.
Sophomore Jaime Sawyer, a transfer from Nova Southeastern, is another new face on the team. She can play first base, third base, and shortstop. She is another power hitter whom Joyce will look to for producing runs.
Players such as senior outfielder/second base Kim Nicosia and junior outfielder Ninya Ybarra bring the experience of playing in TAAC Championship games and two NCAA Regional Tournaments to the team.
"In order for our freshman to be settled and relaxed, they need to know what to expect at each game. Kim and Ninya know what I expect and what the pressures are in certain situations. The underclassmen will look to them and other players who have been here for a while for leadership," said Joyce.
With versatility from almost every player, strong pitching from the pitching staff, and excitement from the coaching staff, the Lady Owls should take another step in making more history. The concentration will again be on capturing an unprecedented fifth TAAC Championship, another trip to the NCAA Regionals, and hopefully to the College World Series.
The strength of their schedule early in the season will be a determing factor in their success. Their first four games are against teams with College World Series experience: Northwestern University, University of Arizona, University if Hawaii, and the University of Tennessee.
"Let's face it, we have to play this competition in order to make it to the World Series," said Joyce. "If we can play with these teams and be somewhat successful, we will have another great season."
