February 4, 2008

LAURINBURG, N.C.—The St. Andrews Presbyterian College softball team will take the diamond for the first time in 2008 this weekend and the Lady Knights are eager and ready to get their season underway.

St. Andrews will begin the 2008 season on Saturday, February 9 at Wingate University. The season-opening doubleheader is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. start.

The Knights, under second year head coach Elizabeth Burris, will look to build on a 15 win season last year with an experienced squad that feature’s all but one student-athlete from last year’s very young team. Burris also added two key freshmen in Jasmine Dobbins (Pikesville, N.C.) and Kelsey McIntosh (Fairfax, Va.) that will not only help improve upon last years record but also become a dominate force within Conference Carolinas.

The ’08 St. Andrews roster features 13 letterwinners that gained at least 25 games of experience last year including a solid core group of four senior infielders and a number of sophomores.

Senior right-handed pitcher Samantha Stewart (Ft. Pierce, Fla.) will lead the way for the Knights on the mound with her strong pitching and ability to lead the team. Stewart led St. Andrews in wins, innings pitched, strikeouts, ERA, and complete games last year.

Senior middle infielders Mika Tanji (Honolulu, Hawaii) and Erin Haugen (Ft. Mill, S.C.) teamed up as one of the best double play duo’s in the nation, ranking 22nd nationally last year. Tanji and Haugen, who are the two most experienced Knights having each played in 119 games for St. Andrews, will look to turn even more double plays in their senior season. Tanji, who has pitched for the Knights in the past, may also see some time on the rubber.

Senior Ashley Shurtleff (Colton, Calif.) will continue to be a versatile player for the Knights playing both third base and in the outfield. Shurtleff started 72 games in her first two seasons at St. Andrews. Shurtleff added, “I am looking forward to making this season the best so far and cannot wait for game day to come.”

A trio of junior Lady Knights have become seasoned veterans for Coach Burris. Brittni York (Indian Trail, N.C.) is multi-tool player who plays centerfield, adds depth to the pitching squad, and led last years club in stolen bases. Both Dani Ghramm (Hayden, Idaho) and Tiffany Capone (Jacksonville, N.C.) have played at SAPC for two seasons and give Burris more options on both defense and at the plate.

Burris will continue to develop a sophomore class of six talented players that provide a strong foundation that is needed for the upcoming season. Catcher Kailee Munden (LaVerne, Calif.) had a .331 batting average in her freshman season; Lauren James (Bahama, N.C.) hit the pitchers mound 24 times as a rookie last year; Brianna Shurtleff (Colton, Calif.) has a good eye at the plate leading last years squad in walks; and Morgan Farroll (Newton Grove, N.C.) will continue to patrol the outfield in a Knights uniform.

The Knights, who were picked No. 11 in the Conference Carolinas preseason coaches’ poll after winning five league games last year, will look to make big improvements this season with 20 scheduled conference games. SAPC’s home opener is scheduled for Saturday, February 16 at 1:00 p.m. against non-conference Mars Hill College. The Knights begin conference play at home against Anderson University on February 24 at 2:00 p.m.

Burris, who helped St. Andrews nearly double their win total of two seasons ago, is also eager to start, “We learned a lot last year, both myself and the players. We have spent the fall and this preseason working on our mental toughness.  We know that things at times will be rough, so this year we plan to be ready to meet those challenges head on.”

Conference Carolinas Pre-Season Coaches Poll
(First place votes in parenthesis)
1. Mount Olive College (5) 93
2. Coker College (4) 91
3. Anderson University (1) 72
4. Pfeiffer University (1) 70
5. Limestone College 68
6. Queens University of Charlotte 62
7. Erskine College 48
8. Belmont Abbey College 33
9. Barton College 30
10. Lees-McRae College 20
11. St. Andrews Presbyterian College 18