SOFTBALL

Roster  |  Coaches  |  Schedule / Results  |  News

BUFFALO, NY - A rebirth. Lying dormant since the end of the 1986 season, the University at Buffalo has returned softball to full intercollegiate status. With UB's acceptance into the Mid-American Conference in 1998, softball was one of the sports mandated by the conference to be offered at league member institutions and although this season's Bulls will be playing an independent schedule in 2000, UB is ready to step up to the MAC in 2001.

The Bulls begin the season Friday, March 3 with a week-long trip to Orlando for nine games in eight days at Disney's World of Sports Complex. UB takes on St. Michael's College in a doubleheader Friday in their first game since since 1986. Also facing the Bulls in Orlando will be Villanova, North Carolina A&T, Columbia, Division II member Lynn University and Mid-American Conference foes Bowling Green and Toledo.

Although new for 2000, softball is not entirely new to the University at Buffalo. UB sports a proud history of the program that competed at the Division III level from 1979 until 1986 and had some outstanding success in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) circuit including a 19-9 effort during the 1985 season accompanied by an appearance in the NCAA Division III Regional Tournament.

Nearly a full year before the Bulls hit the diamond for the first time, UB installed Marie Curran as head coach. Curran, a native New Yorker and former All-American at Trenton State College, brings with her a wealth of experience and enthusiasm as mentor of the Bulls. For three seasons, Curran served as an assistant coach at Mid-American Conference member Northern Illinois helping guide the Huskies to a 35-19 record in 1999 that included the MAC West Division crown. Curran's knowledge of the MAC and its programs is expected to be a key to the future. But first, the Bulls need to rebuild the program for 2000, a job Curran is excited about.

"Getting the program started will be a tough but exciting challenge for me," said Curran. "One advantage that I have is that I became an assistant at NIU in the school's first year in the MAC so I have experienced some of the challenges a program must go through in their first year in a new conference. My philosophy is 'fundamentals first'. If we can become a fundamentally sound team at UB I am confident that we will be competitive in the MAC."

To rebuild the program, Curran has brought in a mix of freshmen and experienced junior college players that will become the cornerstone for Bulls softball. Nine freshmen comprise the roster of 14 that will embark on the 2000 campaign but the word "freshman" is not in the team's vocabulary. "It's been difficult at times, but the girls' work ethic and desire just amazes me everyday at how much better they've gotten," said Curran. "I wouldn't say we look like we have nine freshmen."

A glimpse at the 2000 Bulls.

PITCHING

The Bulls will field a pitching staff of four in 2000. Jessica York (South Dayton, NY/Pine Valley) brings with her an impressive list of high school accolades and could become the Bulls' top starter later in the season after knee surgery in January. "Jessica is just beginning to throw now," Curran said, "but her recovery is way ahead of what was expected. She's working harder right now and throwing harder than she did in high school." Although the right-hander should see some action during the Bulls' spring trip to Florida and the Winthrop tournament, she is expected to be fully healed by the time the team heads north.

Also expected to take the pitching circle for the Bulls are left-hander Andrea Sage (Depew, NY/Depew) and righties Jessica Kensey (Cheektowaga, NY/Maryvale) and Ann Englert (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca West). "They definately bring a lot of experience being Western New York natives and add more depth to the pitching rotation," said Curran.

CATCHING

Calling the pitches behind the plate for the Bulls will be a pair of experienced backstops as Kelly Malone (Waterford, MI/Waterford Kettering) and Jennifer Moore (Williamville, NY/Delhi District) are expected to handle the chores. Kim Lawrence (Hamburg, NY/Hamburg) should also see duties at catcher.

"We put a lot on our catchers in terms of responsibilities," said Curran. "They're definately the 'take-charge' leaders on the field. Kelly's played for great programs in high school and summer ball. Jennifer Moore has a lot of experience competing against Team Canada members. The two are wonderful for us because one hits right-handed (Malone) and one hits

left-handed (Moore)."

INFIELD

Around the horn will be a combination of newcomers and experienced veterans that Curran is confident can stop anything hit their way. "They're definitely one of our strengths," remarked Curran. "By far the four of them have the most competitive personalities on our team."

Starting at first base will be Tina Breakell (Schenectady, NY/Guilderland), a player that Curran believes can steady the rest of the infield. "She's a great defensive first baseman," said Curran. "She's going to make our infielders' jobs very easy with very good range and she sees the ball well."

The most experienced member of the infielding contingent is second baseman Stacee Madden (Corning, NY/East). A transfer from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania, Madden is one of the Bulls' co-captains in 2000 and will be a valuable asset in the middle. "She's experienced and has great range and incredibly quick feet and although all of 4-11, she's a great power hitter," said Curran.

At short will be Lisa Cox (Getzville, NY/Williamsville North) a freshman who comes from a strong high school program that won a league title in 1999. "Lisa's another Western New York native who's improved tremendously from the fall season. We expect her to be very solid defensively," stated Curran.

Holding down the hot corner will be Jamie Adams (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia), new to the softball Bulls but very experienced at not letting anything get past her as starting goalkeeper for UB's women's soccer team for the past three seasons and a second-team All-Mid-American Conference performer in 1999. "When she joined us, her intensity and work ethic brought the team to a new level," said Curran.

Defensively, Kim Sudakow (Utica, NY/Proctor) could also see some action at third or catcher where she was an All-New England Conference player while at Dean Junior College but it's her bat that will get her into the Bulls' lineup. "Defensively, she's going to help out," said Curran. "But she may be our designated player more than at third base," said Curran.

OUTFIELD

Handling the outfield duties are a trio of players with speed who should be able to flag down any ball and keep opposing players from taking the extra base. "They're quick," said Curran. "They're going to be a strength."

In charge of the outfield contingent will be Kim Coon (Belding, MI/Belding), a Bulls co-captain who played out her eligibility as a member of the women's basketball team scoring over 1,000 points. Her experience as a member of other Bulls' teams has helped to make her a steadying influence on the rest of the squad. "Her natural leadership abilities help immensely and she is a great asset to the team," stated Curran. On the field, Coon is fast getting to the ball. "She covers a tremendous amount of ground," said Curran.

To either side of Coon will be Danielle Haynes (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca West) in left and Laura Gilcrest (Getzville, NY/Williamsville North) in right.

Haynes, a transfer from Erie Community College also brings veteran leadership with her. "She adds a level of experience to our team, plus a great amount of speed," said Curran. Gilcrest is penciled into the right field spot, but could see time anywhere on the diamond, including pitcher. "Laura will help out in many areas," remarked Curran.

OFFENSE

A great defense will stop the opposition from crossing the plate, but to win this season the Bulls are going to have to let the bats do the talking. "Offense will be our greatest strength, no doubt," said Curran. I think we're highly competitive and have every component you want, good control, speed and power."

The power should be supplied by Malone, Moore, Adams, and Sudakow who are expected to be in the heart of the batting order this spring. With their speed on the basepaths Madden and Haynes should pan out as the Bulls' best threats for stolen bases.

SCHEDULE

With a Division I program, comes a Division I schedule of over 50 games which Curran sees as a building block. Although classified as an independent for 2000, the Bulls will meet their share of Mid-American Conference opponents before becoming full-fledged MAC members in 2001. "We are going to get to play Mid-American Conference teams in Bowling Green, Toledo and Akron so our team will have an idea as to what to expect next year," said Curran.

After playing the entire month of March on the road, the Bulls will make their home debut on Wednesday, April 5 with a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader against St. Bonaventure to christen the new UB Softball Stadium. The Bulls have six home dates, all doubleheaders, on the 2000 schedule. Weekday gametimes are 3:00 p.m. while the first ptich for Saturday games is slated for 1:00 p.m.

A strong non-MAC schedule includes the likes of eight-time Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion Canisius, who the Bulls have home-and-home doubleheaders against and Cleveland State, a strong Midwestern Collegiate Conference member, who the Bulls will visit in April and could see in the later rounds of the Winthrop Tournament in South Carolina. Also on tap for the Bulls will be Colgate, last season's Patriot League champion and 1999 NCAA Tournament squad as well as Southern Mississippi, UB's first round opponent in the Winthrop Tournament. Southern Mississippi, a team that in 1999 returned to the softball diamond after not having a program for several seasons and went on to win the Conference USA crown, played in the Women's College World Series and finished eighth in the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll. But for all their opponent's accomplishments, Curran isn't concerned with wins and losses.

"My goal isn't really in numbers," stated Curran. "The goals we set as a team are gaining experience and getting ready to enter the conference next season and be in the conference tournament."