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Lions Hope New, Improved Lineup Is A Big Hit In '08

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By BART O'CONNELL Tribune correspondent

Published: February 9, 2008

ST. LEO - Christi Wade knows exactly why Saint Leo's softball program has been good - but not great - during the last four seasons, and has done something about it.

Consistent hitting - for both average and power - has been the one thing missing from the squad. They haven't ranked higher than 7{+t}{+h} in the Sunshine State Conference in batting average since 2004, when they were sixth.

But with the help of a quality recruiting class that featured a few power hitters, Wade believes she has the pieces in place to make the lineup just as feared as the pitching staff in 2008.

"We always seem to have the pitching and defense, but not the offensive power," Wade said. "I think we have all three now. It's about getting that ball through the infield and deep into the gaps, and we can do that."

Saint Leo's new-and-improved lineup, which debuts at home today at 1 p.m. in a doubleheader with Arkansas-Monticello, likely will include four players from that recruiting class in the top five spots.

Elysha Agen, a freshman from Palm Harbor University High, is expected to lead off and play both middle infield spots. Hitting after her is Amanda Patrick, another freshman from Chamberlain High, who will assume the catcher's role. Both can hit consistently for average.

Though there is a natural learning curve for an incoming freshman in college sports, Wade believes Patrick's and Agen's talent will be evident early on.

"I think I'm more excited than nervous," said Agen about her first season. "My strength is hitting for contact, but I can bring a little bit of power, too."
Junior college transfers Tatiana Casis and Stephanie Discepolo, along with returning first baseman Ally Maddox, also provide the power. There's speed and stability at the bottom of the lineup, with Pasco County products Heather Stroud (Pasco) and April Slate (Land O' Lakes), seniors in the outfield.

And in the middle will be Ashley Urbanik, a 24-game winner in the circle who is expected to improve on her .268 average, five homers and team-leading 27 RBIs in 2007. After spending the preseason pitching against the new lineup, Urbanik is impressed.

"Of my three years here, I think this is our best team," she said. "The hitters on this team are more aggressive in practice. I think they will help me relax more as a pitcher."

Urbanik is known for her ultra-serious demeanor on the mound. She emerged as one of the top strikeout pitchers. After winning 24 games last year, it seems like 30 wins is within reach.

Behind her is senior Kiki VonHolt, a former River Ridge star who provides a change-of-pace: slower pitches but more movement. Together, they were the only two pitchers the Lions used last year, and combined to post a 1.64 earned run average, a run better than their opponents.

The Lions have consistently won more than 30 games each season since 2004, on the strength of a pitching staff that has been in the top half of the Sunshine State Conference in most categories during that span.

But after narrowly missing an NCAA II regional bid last year, Wade is anxious to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2005.

"I'm tired of finishing second, third, fourth in the conference every year," she said. "I've compared this team to a freight train. Either jump on and start working hard, or get off the tracks because we're coming through."

Correspondent Bart O'Connell can be reached at boconnell@pop.tampatrib.com

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