Softball News Releases
Rams get early start to softball season with Feb. 10 games in UNI-Dome
MOUNT VERNON — Cornell second-year head softball coach Shanda Ness conducted her team’s first official practice Feb. 1. That gives the Rams nine days to prepare for their season openers at the UNI-Dome Classic in Cedar Falls.
The Rams open the new campaign Sunday, Feb. 10 with single games against Iowa Wesleyan at 8 p.m. and Mount Mercy at 10 p.m. The early start to the season presents a challenge and an opportunity for a young team that features 11 newcomers on its 18-player roster.
“We were looking to pick up a couple more games this season since a couple teams that we played last year dropped off our schedule,” Ness said. “The early start is not ideal, but it gives us a chance to play in the UNI-Dome and see where we’re at with a lot of first-year players. We’re excited to get going and get some playing time.”
Cornell brings back five starting position players in catcher Brittany Raymond (Garwin/GMG), first baseman Kim Cox (Calhan, Colo./Ellicott), second baseman Lisa Anderson (Springfield, Ill./Sacred Heart Griffin), third baseman Sara Blaser (Davenport/North) and pitcher Ashton Horn (Davenport/West). Infielder Megan Blinks (Lisbon/Lisbon) and outfielder Samantha Wieland (Riverside/Highland) also earned varsity letters last spring.
The Rams are led by team tri-captains Anderson, Raymond and Blaser.
“We’re excited about our leadership,” Ness said. “They will help set a good example for our younger players.”
Blaser, a junior, is the Rams’ top returning hitter, batting .356 with a team-high six home runs and 23 RBIs last season. Anderson hit .269 with 14 runs scored. Horn led the Rams on the mound with a 5-4 record and 2.92 ERA during her freshman season. She recorded 86 strikeouts with 34 walks in 108 innings pitched.
The Rams will rely on several first-year players to contribute this spring. The large freshmen class includes Nicole Duncan (Wilton/Wilton), Taryn Foster (Brandon, Vt./Otter Valley Union), Carly Goolsby (Solon/Solon), Maria Kohlhaas (Algona/Garrigan), Mallory Kowal (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East), Micah Sarver (Columbus Junction/Columbus), Katelyn Tomasik (Chicago, Ill./Marist), Kimberly Traylor (Lee’s Summit, Mo./North), Laurel Wilhelm (Blairstown/Benton) and Simone Wright (Zion, Ill./Waukegan). Sophomore Jessica Mauser (Westminster, Colo./Standley Lake) is also entering her first season with the Rams.
Cornell finished 11-20 overall last season and placed eighth in the Iowa Conference with a 2-11 mark.
“Historically, the Iowa Conference has a very strong reputation. There are no weak teams in the conference,” Ness said. “We really want to focus on the little things this year. We want the girls to bring a positive attitude and come ready to work every day. We want to be a team that shows up every day to compete.”
After this weekend’s openers, the Rams are off until Feb. 29-March 1 when they play four games in the LeTourneau Spring Classic in Longview, Texas. Cornell plays two more games March 2 in Dallas, Texas, before returning to Mount Vernon in preparation for its home-opening doubleheader March 15 against St. Ambrose. The Rams begin IIAC play March 29 at home against Buena Vista.
