Temple University Athletics
COACH ROCCI PIGNOLI SPEAKS ABOUT THE 2002 TEMPLE UNIVERSITY SOFTBALL TEAM
1.14.02 | Softball
The seniors comprise our first recruiting class at Temple. The group has been through many trials and tribulations in helping to build the program into what it is today.
Production-wise, there are two or three players that are going to be cornerstones on the field. In the greater scheme of things, it is the strength of the group as a whole that will take this team to the next level. Our strength lies in how they lead this team.
Katie Spencer has been here from day one and has proven herself to be one of our top players over the years. She has done a great job both offensively and defensively and is learning the leadership role.
Chrissy Harris has persevered through a lot of physical problems and has come back extremely strong. She is a strong-willed person that can be an all-conference player this year. If she builds on what she accomplished in the fall, she will definitely be one of our top players.
Alexis Pena is a transfer student that has done many things for us in one year at Temple. She has played several positions and is probably going to be asked to play a different position this year. She has proven herself to be very multi-talented.
Nancy Lima has not had a whole lot of opportunity over the past few years. We are hoping she is going to come into her own this season. This spring is her time to break out.
Cabrina Bartocci and Chrissy Pearson have been role players for us. Pearson has been a real asset as a utility player. She has played every position on the field. Bartocci has been a 1st baseman. Her first year here she was a great contributor but her offensive production has diminished recently. She has worked hard and we hope that the adjustments she has made will contribute to our success in the spring.
On his biggest concerns entering the season:
Injuries are always the biggest concern. This year we are deeper than we have been in recent years. We are also somewhat untested in the pitching area.
On the pitching staff:
Liz Naughton and Bari Lynn Pflueger are one and two at this point. They have really carried us over the past two years. This season we expect them to take it to another level in order to get us to that conference championship. I think they have the experience to do it as long as they can stay healthy.
Kim Watkins, although somewhat untested, is also an integral part of the staff. Her hard work and dedication can help solidify us on the mound.
On the catching situation:
Behind the plate we have two catchers that are very tested and experienced. Alexis Gary and Ashley Caudill have done a great job for us. We hope they can share the duties behind the plate for us. Offensively, they are strong and we need them in the lineup. They are both very capable calling a game and helping the pitchers, while doing a nice job directing traffic. We are looking for great things from them.
On the infield:
Infield is one of our biggest strengths. Defensively, we might be the best we have ever been. We have three people that are very experienced. We have the versatile Pflueger, an all-conference player and regional All-American at first base. Spencer, an all-championship team selection last year, returns at second base. Harris is coming back from her injuries and looks real sharp at shortstop. Aida Esquer, a freshman who can play anywhere in the infield, is penciled in at third base. We are deep behind them with Alexis Pena, Pearson, Katie Mennig and Bartocci able to step right in and perform with confidence.
On the outfield:
We have an all conference-type player in leftfield in sophomore Lynsey Grace. She has done extremely well defensively and is one of our top offensive performers. Another sophomore, Katie Weigle, is in centerfield. She has great speed and has done great things defensively. Offensively, Weigle is improving and we expect a breakout year for her at the plate. Right field is shaping up to be a platoon situation with Pena, Pearson and one of our catchers competing for time. We also have three freshman outfielders in the form of Billie Akauola, Nicole Undercuffler and Linsey Rummel.
On the offense:
We feel very strong at the plate. Spencer has been our leadoff batter. At this point, we feel she will be in that spot again. Harris, Lynsey Grace, Alexis Gary and Pflueger are all very strong at the plate. We are in a good situation with that group. We can insert a lot of people with experience into the lineup and hit them in different places.
On the schedule:
One of the things that coach Terri Adams and I have done since we have been here is to make sure that we play the strongest schedule that we can possibly get together. We truly believe that you need to play top opponents. Early in the season it sometimes hurts us because we don't get the outdoor time that other teams enjoy but this team has the integrity to work through some rough times we might encounter early. The approach is also different this year. Being ranked fifth in the region last year, had we won a few more games in the beginning of the season and not approached them as a warm-up for the Atlantic 10's, we could have gotten an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.
On the team's academics:
Academically, we have done well. Pearson, Bartocci, Lima, Caudill, Pfleuger and Gary were all on the Dean's list this past fall.
On the team's success in the fall:
The great fall season gives us the momentum we need and the necessary confidence. I think the team understood, through the leadership of the seniors, what we needed to do to be successful. We need to work together as the team. We can separate things from off the field when we need to. In the past, we had a hard time doing this because we lacked the necessary leadership. I think we have the leadership this year to get us going early. In the fall, every situation that could have been thrown at us in a game situation was faced and overcome.
