Senior class dominates East softball

Senior Kelly Rusin is one of three pitchers for the Williamsville East softball team. Rusin is a returning pitcher.

A loaded senior class makes Williamsville East softball coach Ron Schumacher optimistic of his team's chances this spring.

"This should be a great year for us," said Schumacher. "Eight seniors are on the roster and all are strong enough to start. They bring enthusiasm, confidence and determination to make this year successful. Along with juniors Jessica Windnagle and Taylor Klun, they have played together for three to four years. Several play summer ball together and are close friends. The other juniors have fit right in and are a close-knit group."

Seniors back for a final season with East are Rachelle Arenos, Courtney Hawkins, Chelsea Horne, Karen Kingsley, Ally Kotz, Kelly Rusin, Bridget Steele and Anna Stolzenburg.

As a sign of the team's closeness, Schumacher has named Hawkins the team captain while the other seven seniors will each serve a week as a co-captain.

Hawkins returns at shortstop after sitting out last year with a knee injury she suffered during the basketball season.

Arenos (.288 batting average) started last season at shortstop but ended up at third base. She's a returning ECIC Division II second team all-star.

"She has a quick glove and strong arm to play the hot corner," said Schumacher.

Horne started at third base and played in right field for most of the 2007 season. Horne, also a returning Division II second-team all-star, led East's offense with three home runs, .750 slugging percentage, .365 batting average and 21 RBIs.

"I expect similar results this year," said Schumacher. "With an excellent work ethic, Chelsea has showed improvement."

Kingsley can play first base and is one of three pitchers who will see time on the mound. Kingsley finished 6-2 in 2007, including a career-high 16 strikeouts over eight innings in East's 1-0 loss to Dunkirk in the Section VI Class A quarterfinals.

"Karen has showed more determination this year," said Schumacher. "Her 1-0 loss to Dunkirk may be the spark for her motivation."

Kingsley shares pitching duties with Rusin and junior Megan Allers.

Schumacher said Rusin has excellent control on the mound and will share duties at first base with Stolzenburg when not pitching.

"Kelly has the ability to play other infield positions if needed," said Schumacher.

Allers won three games last year with a low earned run average.

"Her offseason work on her pitches has improved," said Schumacher. "She will be pushing the seniors for games. I expect great success this year for her."

Schumacher said Stolzenburg's height (5-foot-10) and long reach make her an excellent first baseman.

"She has worked hard at fine tuning her game," said Schumacher.

Kotz started at shortstop last year and will either return there or move back to second base, Schumacher said.

"She is faster this year and playing well in the infield," said Schumacher. "Her confidence and hustle will give us a solid infield."

Steele (.413 batting average, .518 on-base percentage) is a returning ECIC II first-team all-star who returns in center field. Her 11 stolen bases last year make her a dangerous base runner, said Schumacher. Steele will lead off.

"Her speed and defensive strength are a tremendous asset," said Schumacher.

The rest of the roster is filled by juniors Klun, Windnagle, Jessica Moulin, Jackie Vujec, Brittany Rung and Jenna Larkin.

Klun, one of six returning juniors in Western New York who were ECIC II first-team all-stars as sophomores, returns behind the plate to catch. Klun batted .344 last spring.

"She's one of the best catchers in the league," said Schumacher. "She has a great defensive game behind the plate that will anchor the team. A strong competitor and perfectionist, Klun sets the tone of the game."

A starting left fielder, catcher and infielder, Windnagle brings a variety of talent to the team, Schumacher said.

"She will give Taylor some rest at catcher when not in the outfield," said Schumacher. "She has the potential for a breakout season at the plate."

Moulin will see time at second base, Schumacher said.

"She's a greatly improved player from JV," said Schumacher. "As one of two left-handed batters, she could see some at-bats in clutch situations."

Vujec played in the outfield on JV last year and could also play at second base if needed.

"She has a good eye for the ball who supplies speed in the outfield," said Schumacher.

Rung and Larkin are each out for most of the season with injuries. Rung and Larkin started on the mound and in the outfield, respectively, on JV last year. Schumacher hopes both are back by the end of the season.

East finished 8-4 in ECIC II last year with its league losses coming to West Seneca East and Williamsville South twice, and 14-7 overall.

Schumacher said talent-wise, the team is a strong group that also has depth on the bench.

"Defensively, we should be solid," said Schumacher. "If we hit well against good pitching, we can compete with the best in Western New York."

Schumacher doesn't see any weak teams in ECIC II.

"West Seneca East is loaded with talent with the starting infield, pitcher and catcher returning from last year," said Schumacher. "A solid Sweet Home team moves down from ECIC II. Hamburg, Iroquois and South are always dominating. Lake Shore was very young but his young players improved and should be competitive."

East is scheduled to open its season against West Seneca West at 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 3 at Transit Middle School. They host Williamsville North at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 7.
East 2008 Schedule
4-3 W.S. West................ 4:45 p.m.
4-7 North....................... 4:30 p.m.
4-21 Sweet Home ........ 4:30 p.m.
4-23 Lake Shore........... 4:30 p.m.
4-24 Tonawanda........... 4:30 p.m.
4-25 at Hamburg ............... 5 p.m.
4-28 South..................... 4:30 p.m.
4-29 at Maryvale .......... 4:45 p.m.
4-30 at Iroquois............ 4:30 p.m.
5-1 Amherst .................. 4:30 p.m.
5-2 at W.S. East............ 4:45 p.m.
5-3 at 11th annual Wildcat Invitational
Softball Tournament at
Walden Pond - "B" bracket vs.
Dunkirk ........... ............ 11:30 a.m.
5-6 W.S. East ................ 4:45 p.m.
5-7 at Sweet Home...... 4:30 p.m.
5-9 at Lake Shore ............. 5 p.m.
5-12 Hamburg.................... 5 p.m.
5-14 at South ................ 4:30 p.m.
5-16 Iroquois................. 4:30 p.m.
5-19 at North ................ 4:30 p.m.
5-20 Frontier................. 4:30 p.m.
5-21 at Clarence........... 4:45 p.m.
5-22 at W.S. West ......... 4:30 p.m.
* All home games are at Transit
Middle School.