Season Preview

After an extremely successfull first campaign, Fontbonne University head softball coach Bill Rosner believes the future is even brighter for the upcoming 2010 season.

Last season, the Griffins finished 21-18 overall and 11-3 in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Griffins won a share of the SLIAC Championship but lost in the SLIAC Tournament, something that Coach Rosner's players will be reminded of this year.

"From day one, we'll enforce what we didn't get done last season," Coach Rosner said.

This season the Griffins return 11 players from the SLIAC Championship team including six all-conference players. The core of the Griffins lineup returns led by senior Katy Mueller who hit a team-leading .371 last season with 39 hits and 17 stolen bases. Sophomore Amanda Beaver had a team-high five home runs and 21 RBI's last season. Both Beaver and Mueller earned First Team All-Conference honors. Defensive specialist Amy Simon, who also earned First-Team All-Conference honors, returns to improve on her team-high 70 assists last season.

Fontbonne also returns their pitching ace Ana Hibbeler who won a team-high eight games last season earning her First-Team All-Conference honors. The Griffins also return outfielders Alyssa Akers and Stephanie Wilson, both whom earned Second Team All-Conference honors, as well as junior Brittany Kirn who earned all-conference honors her freshman year on the mound.

Fontbonne pitchers will be throwing to sophomore catcher Samantha Rosner who did a great job handling the staff as a freshman. Junior Cassandra Bremer and senior Sam Pecher will anchor the middle of the Griffins infield. Pecher led the team last with 22 RBI's. Fontbonne's other senior Emily Stoverink, who is coming off ankle surgery, will compete for time in the outfield.

The Griffins will welcome two new faces to the program in infielder Casey Kern and pitcher Kourtney Von Behren. VonBehren, a pitcher, was the Griffins top recruit and someone Coach Rosner believes will impress alot of people.

Fontbonne opens their 2010 schedule in Orlando, Florida in the Rebel Games on March 12th. After eight games in the sunshine state, the Griffins return to St. Louis for a pair of tournaments (Washington University Tournament and the SLIAC Round Robin). Fontbonne first SLIAC game will be against Blackburn College on April 2. All Fontbonne home games will be played at ABC Park in St. Ann, Missouri. Fans who can't make it ABC Park can follow the Griffins on Prepcasts at www.prepcasts.com . For the full 2010 schedule click here.

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