A young Clarion University softball team that had no seniors and only six juniors recently concluded the 2002 season. The Golden Eagles, who started up to seven freshmen and sophomores at different times during the season, closed out the year with a 7-32 overall mark and a 4-14 record in the always tough PSAC-West.

The record was a little deceiving, as Clarion’s schedule was one of the toughest in the nation. The Golden Eagles played 20 games against eight teams that were ranked in their respective NCAA Division II Regions including 15 games against teams ranked in the top four of their respective NCAA Division II Regions.

"We believe that in order to become a better program, we need to play top notch competition," Clarion’s second year head coach Ron Baum said. "While we took some lumps this season, playing the caliber of schedule we did will help us reach the level we want to get to."

In addition to the tough schedule, Clarion also played the first 1/3 of the season without three of its starters in catcher Emily Sowers (Manchester/Northeastern), outfielder Jessica Waldman (Cogan Station/Williamsport) and pitcher Allison Stodart (Madera/Moshannon Valley). Sowers missed 18 games while recovering from off-season surgery, Waldman 19 games because she is also a member of Clarion’s diving team and Stodart 16 games because she is also a member of Clarion’s women’s basketball team.

"Playing without those three players definitely had an effect early in the season," Baum said. "We had to play some younger players who we would rather not have had to throw into the fire. But at the same time, those players got valuable playing experience that will help them in the future."

Sowers was the Golden Eagles top hitter batting .268 with one home run, one triple, 12 RBI’s and six runs scored while playing exclusively as the designated player. She had a slugging percentage of .357 and an on-base percentage of .397. Sowers’ play in PSAC-West games was even better as she hit .306 with one home run, 12 RBI’s and five runs scored.

Sophomore catcher Angie Allgeier (Erie/Merychurst Prep), who moved into the starting lineup half way through the season, was Clarion’s second best hitter hitting .250 with three doubles, one triple, four RBI’s and three runs scored. In PSAC-West play, Allgeier hit .304 with one double, two RBI’s and one run scored.

Junior Shintrika Hudson (Dayton/Dayton) also performed well for the Golden Eagles despite moving positions at the start of the season. An outfielder in her first two years, Hudson primarily played shortstop and caught for the Golden Eagles in 2002. After a slow start she finished the year with a .239 average with 12 runs scored, three double, one triple and two RBI’s. In PSAC-West play she hit .283 with six runs scored.

Freshman Kristin Klinger (Snow Shoe/Bald Eagle), who also caught and played shortstop, also showed signs of what is to come. She hit .235 and led the team in both doubles (six) and runs scored (16) while driving in nine runs. In PSAC-West play she hit .269 with 10 runs scored, four doubles and seven RBI’s.

In 20 games, Waldman hit .220 with nine runs scored and a team-high eight stolen bases, while sophomore pitcher/first baseman Jen Reis (Allentown/Louis E. Dieruff) batted .219 with eight RBI’s and three runs scored.

Junior second baseman Erin Gallagher (Enola/East Pennsboro) hit .159 but really picked up her play in PSAC-West action batting .280 with a double, a triple, three RBI’s and two runs scored. Fellow junior, third baseman Leslie Mills (Pittsburgh/North Allegheny), hit .192 with five RBI’s, while freshman first baseman Christina Allendorfer (Glenside/Abington) batted .170 with four RBI’s.

Sophomore outfielder Apryl Salle (Henderson, Nev./Goddard, NM) hit .158 with five RBI’s, and freshman outfielder Valerie Devine (Pittsburgh/Plum) hit .143 with four runs scored and two RBI’s.

On the mound, the Golden Eagles were led by Reis who went 4-13 with a team-leading 2.11 ERA. She struck out 42 while walking only 12.

Stodart finished the year 3-8 with a 3.13 ERA. She struck out 46 in 60 1/3 innings pitched while walking only 17.

Junior Kim Overholt (Wind Gap/Penn Argyl) was 0-11 with a 5.88 ERA. She struck out 34 in 69 innings of work, while freshman Angela Long (Eldred/Otto-Eldred) appeared in eight games and had a 6.00 ERA. She struck out three and walked none in 11.2 innings of work.

One of the main things that hurt the Golden Eagles pitching staff this season was the defense. Clarion’s defense committed 82 errors which helped lead to 81 unearned runs or 39 percent of all the runs scored against the Golden Eagles.

"A play here and there each game really hurt us," Baum said. "Defense is something we are going to work hard to improve on next season. I think that if we shore up that side of the ball, we will win a lot more games."

by Chris Rossetti