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Clarkson University Athletics

2020 Clarkson Softball Preview

By: February 18, 2020
WhithamDanielle2019slide
Connor Koehler

Softball | 2/18/2020 8:41:00 AM

Returning 14 players from last year's squad with the loss of just three graduates, the Clarkson University Softball team is poised to return to the Liberty League Tournament in 2020, but the Golden Knights have their eyes on more this season.

2020 Liberty League Preview (Clarkson picked fourth)
2020 Schedule
2020 Roster
2019 Statistics

Key Losses: While Clarkson lost only three players to graduation, all three were key part of Clarkson's success last season. Raeanna Dunn left the program with a slew of program records and was a four-time Liberty League First-Team All-Star, Liz Caggiano ranked second in the conference in runs batted in (35), and Sam Mennig was a control artist who ranked in the top 10 nationally in walks per seven innings (0.49) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (7.14 K/BB).

Key Returners: The Class of 2020 will play a big role in the success of the Golden Knights this year as each has contributed throughout their careers at Clarkson. Michele Winn (.356/.376/.568) is the program's all-time leader in home runs and will split her time between first base and behind the plate. Danielle Whitham moved from the outfield corner to center field and posted a .972 fielding percentage with a .271 batting average, starting all 40 games. Kyrstin Messier, a Liberty League All-Star as a freshman, battled injuries, but still appeared in 26 games in the middle infield, and Leah Allen won seven games with a 3.05 earned run average in 55 innings of work.

Clarkson's junior class consists of just two players, but each spent the year in the starting lineup. Hannah Bowen was forced to play shortstop as a freshman when Raeanna Dunn was hurt prior to the 2018 season and she showed enough ability that head coach Kristen McGaughey will slide her back over to the spot again this year. Rylee LeBourveau will once again be the starter in right field, as she possesses outstanding speed and one of the best arms in the Liberty League.

After a full season of collegiate softball, the Class of 2022 should keep the Knights in contention for the next three years as they have as much ability as any group that has come through the Clarkson program. Olivia Zoeller was picked as a Liberty League All-Star and Co-Rookie of the Year in 2019 after posting 107 strikeouts, a 102 WHIP, a .237 opponents' batting average, and a 2.03 earned run average, all figures that ranked in the top three in the Liberty League. Zoeller is expected to anchor the Knights' rotation and will also see more time on the field when she isn't in the circle, playing outfield and possibly some first base. Returning as starters in addition to Zoeller are Kayla Robert, Sarah Vaccaro, and Maddie Brink. Robert started 35 games at third base and posted a .300 batting average along with solid glove play at the hot corner, Vaccaro slugged three home runs and was the regular left fielder, and Brink played most of the season as the DP, though this year she will spend much more time behind the plate as catcher. Four other members of the sophomore class add to the team's depth. Both Sam Short and Emily McBath were slowed by injuries a year ago and look to make larger contributions in 2020, while both Alyssa Schaechinger and Amanda Riley will look to earn time in the outfield and at catcher.

Key Newcomers: Clarkson has just four freshmen on the roster, and with so many returners in the lineup, the first-year collegians will have to really show something to get regular playing time. At 5-11, Riley Page is a daunting figure in the circle for batters to contend with, and she will get innings around the work of Zoeller and Allen. Middle infielder Bridget Twaits is solid insurance for the Knights should either Bowen or Messier have issues, while Sydney Russo and Carrie Speer will likely get pinch-hitting spots in 2020.





 
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Players Mentioned

Liz Caggiano

#21 Liz Caggiano

IF
5' 9"
Junior
R/R
Raeanna Dunn

#5 Raeanna Dunn

IF
5' 4"
Senior
L/R
Sam Mennig

#25 Sam Mennig

P/IF
5' 6"
Junior
R/R
Leah Allen

#23 Leah Allen

P/IF
5' 8"
Senior
R/R
Hannah Bowen

#2 Hannah Bowen

IF/OF
5' 7"
Junior
R/R
Maddie Brink

#7 Maddie Brink

IF/C
5' 8"
Sophomore
R/R
Rylee LeBourveau

#13 Rylee LeBourveau

OF
5' 3"
Junior
R/R
Emily McBath

#20 Emily McBath

P
5' 9"
Sophomore
R/R
Kyrstin Messier

#15 Kyrstin Messier

IF
5' 7"
Senior
R/R
Amanda Riley

#14 Amanda Riley

C/IF
5' 5"
Sophomore
R/R

Players Mentioned

Liz Caggiano

#21 Liz Caggiano

5' 9"
Junior
R/R
IF
Raeanna Dunn

#5 Raeanna Dunn

5' 4"
Senior
L/R
IF
Sam Mennig

#25 Sam Mennig

5' 6"
Junior
R/R
P/IF
Leah Allen

#23 Leah Allen

5' 8"
Senior
R/R
P/IF
Hannah Bowen

#2 Hannah Bowen

5' 7"
Junior
R/R
IF/OF
Maddie Brink

#7 Maddie Brink

5' 8"
Sophomore
R/R
IF/C
Rylee LeBourveau

#13 Rylee LeBourveau

5' 3"
Junior
R/R
OF
Emily McBath

#20 Emily McBath

5' 9"
Sophomore
R/R
P
Kyrstin Messier

#15 Kyrstin Messier

5' 7"
Senior
R/R
IF
Amanda Riley

#14 Amanda Riley

5' 5"
Sophomore
R/R
C/IF