Ohio Wesleyan University | Battling Bishop Athletics

2008 Season Preview

After inheriting a team that included 9 freshmen and only 2 returning letterwinners, Cassie Cunningham made her collegiate coaching debut a successful one.

Cunningham and the Battling Bishops surpassed all expectations last year, finishing with a 14-17-1 record.

This year, 8 of those freshmen return with a season of experience under their belt, and will look to meld with another talented incoming class to help Ohio Wesleyan return to the North Coast Athletic Conference tournament and challenge for the conference title.

[ Miranda Simmons ] "They’re all capable," said Cunningham of her players. "It’s just a matter of finding the best combination."

Anchoring the team this season will be senior catcher Miranda Simmons (Norwalk). Simmons, an honorable mention All-NCAC pick in each of the past 2 seasons, batted .344 with a team-leading 25 runs batted in last year and caught every inning for the Bishops. "Miranda has a great presence behind the plate," Cunningham said. "She has a lot of pitch-calling knowledge and is a good communicator with our infielders."

Sophomore Sarah Cook (Sidney/Fairlawn), who saw action in the outfield in 2007, can spell Simmons behind the plate, along with freshman Sarah Truchan (Brunswick), an all-conference selection in high school.

[ Catrice Mayweather ] Making up the other half of the Bishop battery will be sophomores Catrice Mayweather (Lewis Center/Olentangy) and Rachel Seibel (Johnstown/Johnstown-Monroe).

Mayweather was the Bishops' No. 1 pitcher last year, compiling a 9-9 record and ranking among the NCAC leaders in strikeouts and innings pitched.

Seibel picked up a pair of wins, including a shutout, on the Bishops' spring trip last year but ran into injuries later on and was limited to 40 innings.

"Both Catrice and Rachel combine speed with location and multiple pitches," Cunningham said. "They are both well-rounded pitchers, and they give us a good right/left combination."

Most of the Bishop infield returns from last season.

Sophomore Emily Bradley (Columbus/Upper Arlington), who batted .374, won all-region and all-conference honors and ranked among the league leaders in stolen bases in 2007, is back at first base. Freshman Tara Van Vranken (North Canton/Massillon Jackson), an all-league pick in high school, gives the Bishops a left-handed power hitter and will play some first base as well as outfield and maybe shortstop, and Mayweather again will see time at first when she is not pitching.

[ Devon Walker ] Sophomore Devon Walker (Baltimore/Watkins Memorial) returns at second base. Last year, Bradley moved over to play second when Mayweather was at first base, and that could be the plan again in 2008. Sophomore Amanda Gomez (South Euclid/Regina), recovering from an injury that cost her the 2007 season, will be in the picture when healthy.

Sophomores Rita Cook (Sidney/Fairlawn) and Sarah Cook could comprise the left side of the infield. Rita Cook, a shortstop in high school, played third base last year but could move back to her natural position. On the other hand, Sarah Cook at shortstop would provide the Bishop infield with more continuity, giving Cunningham 3 positions returning intact from last season. Also in the mix at shortstop are versatile sophomore Amanda Sanders (Lima/Bath) as well as Van Vranken.

Freshman Kayla Gordon (St. Louis, Mo./Mehlville), an all-district selection in high school, could see time at third base. Freshman Kaylie Titus (East Hampton, N.Y.) will miss the 2008 campaign after injuring her knee during the Battling Bishop women's basketball season.

The outfield will be anchored by Sanders and sophomore Krystle Skaziak (Dublin/Scioto).

[ Amanda Sanders ] In 2007, Sanders played centerfield for the first time and had a breakout season, earning All-NCAC honors. She also could see time in the infield this season.

Skaziak, a transfer from Defiance College, batted .373 last year and gives the Bishops an influx of speed at the top of the batting order.

Sarah Cook, Walker and Van Vranken also could spend time in the outfield.

The Bishops open their season with a trip to Cape Coral, Florida, where they face a schedule of 10 games during a week-long stay. Ohio Wesleyan opens its home schedule against perennial power Muskingum on March 18, then faces a weekend trip to regional foes Albion and Alma. The NCAC schedule opens on April 2 at Kenyon, and the NCAC tournament is scheduled for May 2-3.

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