CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball team begins its 2012 campaign on Friday with a doubleheader against Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M. GoMocs.com concludes its preview of the team with a look at the outfielders and utility players.
This afternoon, the Lady Mocs will hold their annual media day at the UTC Indoor Facility allowing the local media an opportunity to visit with the team and preview the season.
There was also a schedule change to the final two days of the opening tournament in Clermont, Fla., as the Lady Mocs now face North Carolina at 11 a.m. and UCF at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Dot Richardson's National Collegiate Invitations wraps up on Sunday for Chattanooga against Florida Atlantic at noon. All these games will have a free audio broadcast with Tyler Brown, the voice of the Lady Mocs providing the play-by-play. Links to audio and live stats can be found on the softball schedule page at GoMocs.com.
Head Coach Frank Reed further breaks down the outfielders in the video to the right. He discusses the challenges of teaching such a young group and the importance of the group gaining experience and confidence early in the season.
Below is a full schedule of the series with the next installment on Wednesday looking at pitchers and catchers.
Part 1 - Overview and Schedule - Mon. Jan. 30
Part 2 - Pitchers and Catchers - Wed. Feb. 1
Part 3 - Infielders - Fri. Feb. 3
Part 4 - Outfielders and Utility - Mon. Feb. 6
OUTFIELDERS
After graduating three starters, this season the outfield is going to have some new faces as sophomores Kaiti Dutton (Tulsa, Okla.), Layne Rainey (Clarkesville, Tenn.) and Stephanie Rieck (Chandler, Ariz.) and freshmen Cheyenne Willis (Manchester, Tenn.) and Nicole Osterman (Miami, Fla.) battle for starting positions.
"We are finding ourselves with some really inexperienced outfielders heading into the season," said head coach Frank Reed. "I originally thought that we could find our best three or four outfielders and put them out there, but it is amazing how one could play one outfield position, but not another."
The battle ensuing in left field during the preseason has been between Rainey and Willis. Both players bring speed to the position, but Rainey might be one of the quickest on the team.
"Layne is our top speedster and runs like a gazelle," said Reed. "She has worked very hard to become more dependable defensively."
Willis, who did not play her senior season in high school to have shoulder surgery, has been pushing Rainey in left. She has a strong arm and has been improving at reading the ball better after making the transition from infield to outfield.
"Cheyenne has really good speed and is quick and strong," said Reed. "She is probably a [Sara] Poteat coming in with a lot of ways she can help us. She is beginning to realize that there are other ways to help us besides tapping and bunting at the plate."
Roaming centerfield has been Dutton, who will be looking to replace three-time All-SoCon performer Lyndsey Stiles. She has focused her attention on being prepared defensively to be a difference maker, while becoming a threat at the plate from the left side.
"Kaiti was slow out of the chute last year, temporarily earning a starting position entering the first tournament before a senior took it away," said Reed. "She has worked really, really hard to get where she needs to be. I am excited about seeing what she can do."
The final slot in the outfield is in right, where Rieck has been taking a majority of the reps, but Osterman has seen some time fielding balls out there as well. Rieck has finally found a home in the outfield after spending time at first, catcher and the outfield a year ago.
"We are going to depend a lot on Stephanie and how well she hits," said Reed. "She has looked really good in the outfield, now that she is focusing on one position. She can be a great hitter for us because of her ability to spray the ball around, put it in play, hit behind runners and is an awesome bunter."
Osterman, who came to Chattanooga at the break was penciled in originally as a middle infielder or catcher, but was given an opportunity in the outfield and did not disappoint.
"We played Nikki out there and saw that she reads the ball really well off the bat," said Reed. "She moved on the ball well out there and is not afraid to go after it. I could definitely see her getting some playing time out there."
The ticket for any of the outfielders to stay in the lineup is going to be with their contributions offensively. All of them have the defensive aspect down and understand their positions. Coach Reed will be actively searching for the best group that can become consistent hitters.
UTILITIES
In past years, coach Reed has had defined roles for players coming off the bench and throughout the lineup. This year is a little different as everyone is fighting for a position and playing time heading into the season.
One of the first players off the bench to pinch run will more than likely be freshman Haylee Blalock (Chattanooga, Tenn.). Blalock also serves as a backup outfielder for the Lady Mocs
"Haylee is a pretty savvy runner," said Reed. "She is smart and knows the situation and what we are trying to accomplish as a team on the base paths."
Without knowing, who is going to be in the starting lineup and who is on the bench. It is tough to see which players could be the first off the bench as a pinch hitter.
The battle at third base between junior Ninjja Suetsugu (Sao Paulo, Brazil) and freshman Sarah Beth Roberts (M. Juliet, Tenn.) could decide the first off the bench as both have the potential to be solid hitters.
A couple of others that could provide an impact off the bench could be Osterman, Willis and Rieck depending on which group of student-athletes earn starting positions in the outfield.
