Temple University Athletics
2007 Outlook
1.30.07 | Softball
Jan. 30, 2007
PHILADELPHIA - In her first season on North Broad Street, head coach Casey Dickson credits her coaching staffs' approach and the team's dedication to success, both on and off the field, as the catalysts behind a difference of six wins from 2005. While Dickson understood entering her first season - and for the team, a new staff and new philosophy - the adjustment time could have been difficult, however the second year head coach says to look no further than team chemistry and an all-around effort for easing the Owls' transition.
"With a new philosophy and new coaching staff, I think the team grew closer in terms of chemistry," said Dickson. "Our stress on academics taught the team a lot about sacrifice and commitment. It came down to, `what are you trying to put into this?'"
Now, with the honeymoon season in the rear-view mirror, Dickson anticipates an immediate comfort zone for her squad in 2007. With the days of getting acclimated to the routine as after-thoughts, she predicts this team to the hit ground running when the season opens February 16 at the Worth Wildcat Tournament in Tucson, Ariz.
"I think, for the entire team, that nervous feeling of a new coach is out the window," asserted the 2000 Oklahoma graduate. "Now, they are sensing a level of relaxation where things can only get better."
Looking to build upon the 22-23 season from a year ago, Dickson introduces a new coaching staff to Temple in assistant coach Ashley Moore and graduate assistant coach Lauren Nicholson. While both coaches will be look upon for assistance in recruiting and coordinating clinics, Moore, a 2003 Auburn graduate, has been delegated duties in the outfield while Nicholson, a 2006 Maryland-Baltimore County alum (UMBC), will lend her experience to the Temple pitching staff.
Moore, a two-time All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection and Auburn's first All-American (2001), concluded her Tiger playing career having broken 15 school records and as the all-time leader in hits (261), runs (171), doubles (58), hit by pitches (26), game started (244) and total bases (445). Additionally, Moore brings four years experience as an assistant coach at her alma mater and South Carolina.
"Ashley Moore brings personality straight across the board," boasted Dickson. "The energy that she provides was everything that we were looking for in an assistant coach. And with coming from a big-time conference like the SEC, that just brings a wealth of knowledge and intensity to the game for us."
Nicholson, a four-year pitcher and three-time Northeast Conference Pitcher of the Week, left UMBC as the school's all-time leader in wins (57), saves (5), innings pitched (620.2), games started (94), complete games (68) and appearances (116).
"It's been really helpful, in the area of pitching, for someone like Lauren to help me, and at the same time, want to learn more about the game," said Dickson.
As far as Nicholson's personnel, Dickson sees her graduate assistant working with a quality pitching staff also capable of providing offensive support when needed. Sophomore, and the mound's anchor from a year ago, Katie Burdeaux returns while junior college transfer Brianna Dairy, freshman Ashley Smuda and freshman Shannon James will make their Cherry and White debuts.
Burdeaux, a Winter Springs, Fla. native, made 34 appearances on the mound last year for the Owls while posting a 10-8 record and a 4.05 earned run average (ERA). In tossing 133.0 innings, the most of any Temple hurler from a year ago, Burdeaux notched five complete games while fanning 70 batters. Offensively, the freshman hit at a .279 clip while scoring 12 runs, knocking in 14 and hitting two homeruns.
Dairy makes the mid-prep career jump from Midland College in Midland, Texas, where she received all-National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) honors and the conference's MVP award in 2005. Also, the Abilene, Texas native broke the school's record having hit three homeruns in one game.
Smuda joins the Cherry and White rotation following an all-state and all-region performance her senior season in 2006 at Horizon High School in Scottsdale, Ariz. The Scottsdale Tribune Player of the Year received the same recognition following her junior season in 2005. James, a local product from Boothwyn, Pa., figures to provide spot innings for Dickson while working into the outfield rotation.
"Katie's strength, for our team, is her pitching style that results in a lot of movement on the ball," said Dickson of her ace from a year ago. "While Brianna is on the mound, her toughness shows that she is all business. And when Ashley hits that comfort zone, she's very energetic and has the ability to control the entire infield."
Providing Dickson and her staff with another reliable half of the battery behind the plate will be sophomore catcher Courtney Norene. Norene, while making 36 starts last season as a rookie, batted .280 with 19 RBI and four homeruns. In addition to hitting .333 with runners in scoring position, the 6'1" Wheatland, Calif. native posted a .452 slugging percentage. Norene's duties will be complimented by true freshman Krystle Metzler. Metzler, a Phoenix, Ariz. native, joins the Owls following a high school career that garnered her first team all-region and honorable mention all-state honors in 2006.
"Courtney's strength is her desire to learn as much about the game as possible, as well as her power and defensive presence," said Dickson. "While Krystle brings us an all-around team-player personality with a lot of energy."
The corner infield position for the Cherry and White return two familiar faces from last season in senior first baseman Adrienne Repsher and sophomore third baseman Nicole Lee. Additionally, junior utility infielder Amanda Carver adds a level of experience coveted by Dickson.
Repsher returns for her final season having started in 138 consecutive games as an Owl. The 2006 academic all-conference selection batted .302 while scoring 18 runs, posting 16 RBI and slamming three homeruns. In addition to swiping six bases on seven attempts, Repsher ranked tied for first among the Owls with a .980 fielding percentage and second with seven doubles. Dickson can't say enough about her veteran first baseman's individual abilities and potential to put the 2007 team over the top.
"This is most definitely Adrienne's year to put all of her offensive tools together," anticipates Dickson. "If this team is to be successful this season, Adrienne is the player that will make us erupt."
Lee returns to the hot corner having made 24 starts and knocking in 18 runs in 2006. Carver, also competing for innings at any position in the outfield, enters her third season at Temple after making a career-high 39 starts, batting at a .288 clip and stealing eight bases. Both contributors provide Dickson with the leadership and versatility required to make a run at the program's first Atlantic 10 crown since 2004.
In addition to performing at a high level, Repsher and Lee will be looked upon to help junior college transfers Anna Rico and Natalie Wagner adjust to the change of scenery in the middle infield for the Owls. Rico joins fellow teammate Brianna Dairy in making the move to North Broad Street from Midland College. An all-conference and all-region selection while at Midland, Rico also received academic all-conference honors.
Wagner, twice named Western Junior College Athletic Conference Player of the Week, reunites with Dickson via Frank Phillips College. After a team MVP and National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American Scholar Athlete season, Wagner's 2005 team was awarded the NJCAA Academic Team of the Year honor.
First-year assistant coach Ashley Moore inherits a veteran-laden outfield crew led by senior Jessica Rohn and junior Brittany Burks. Rohn begins her senior campaign having collected 129 career starts with the Cherry and White. In 45 appearances last season, the junior rebounded from a redshirted season in 2004 with a .283 batting average and 17 RBI. In 34 starts last season, Burks led all Owls with a .340 batting clip while scoring 21 runs and knocking in 15.
"As a senior, Jessica brings an incredible level of passion and intensity for winning to our team," said Dickson. "And Brittany, she has the ability to hit for power, as well as the versatility to lay a bunt down."
If the 2007 team is to surpass the steps it took a year ago, a daunting front-end road schedule, featuring perennial national powerhouses, will be an early test. In less than a one month span, the Cherry and White open their season at the University of Arizona, Oklahoma University and Steton Tournaments against the Wildcats (2/16) and Sooners (3/3, 3/4) among others. Dickson reasons that in order for her Owls to reach their pinnacle, "you have to play this kind of competition."
As for the Atlantic 10 schedule, a 12-6 finish last season left the Owls on the outside looking in when it came time for the postseason tournament. But this season, Dickson stresses a competitive approach that mirrors the league's mold.
"The Atlantic 10 is such a battle every game because of any given day, any team can be beaten."
