Temple University Athletics
Softball Names Four Players to Captain's Roles
2.17.11 | Softball
Cook, Marris, Robinson and Schoell Picked to lead squad in 2011
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Temple softball team has named its captains for the 2011 season. Head coach Joe DiPietro announced that sophomore Kayla Cook, senior Kristen Marris, sophomore Ali Robinson and junior Samantha Schoell will split the leadership role four ways this season.
Cook returns to the squad after a solid rookie season that saw her start in all 47 games in which she played. She saw time at four different positions for the Owls (catcher, first base, third base and designated hitter), with most of her time spent behind the plate or at first. Cook batted .213 with five doubles and two homeruns a year ago. Defensively, she was solid in her active positions, committing just nine errors in 256 chances for a .965 fielding percentage.
“Kayla may only be a sophomore, but in the coaches' opinion, has earned the right to be a captain for this team,” said DiPietro. “Being a catcher, she acts like a coach on the field, calling plays and moving people. I believe, even though Kayla is a young player, that she has the respect of the entire team.”
Marris leads the team after an impressive junior campaign, her first with the squad after transferring from New Mexico State. Marris was Temple's ace on the mound, posting a 2.65 ERA while striking out 141 batters and holding opponents to a .211 batting average. She is also the team's leading returner at the plate, hitting for a .290 clip. Marris was also a dependable defensive player with just one error in 71 chances for a .986 fielding percentage.
“Kristen is our only senior and she leads in a quiet manner,” commented DiPietro. “She is quick with a smile or a pat on the back, letting everyone know things are going to be okay. Kirsten can be reserved, but our players look up to her because she is a great person, on top of being our number one pitcher.”
The centerfielder in every one of Temple's 49 games a season ago, Robinson will look to build on a successful rookie year. Robinson was fourth on the squad, and tops among freshmen, with a .254 batting average. She was tied with Cook for second on the team with five doubles, and her four homeruns ranked third on the squad. From her perch in centerfield, Robinson was nearly flawless, committing just one error throughout the year in 71 chances for a .986 percentage.
“Ali was the first player we selected to be a captain,” said DiPietro. “She was the easiest of the four. Not only is Ali one of our top players, but she is the player that gives 100% at all times, from the time she steps on the field, to the time she leaves. Our players look up to Ali and respect not only her performance, but what she has to say.”
Schoell rounds out the quartet of captains for the Cherry and White. A mainstay in TU's lineup for the past two years, Schoell was a starter in 46 of the 47 games she played in last season. Playing primarily in right field, she has proven herself as a defensive gem, not committing an error in her first two years. At the plate, Schoell was the team's go-to sacrifice hitter a year ago, leading the squad with seven. In addition to her success on the field, Schoell was a member of the Trustee Ten, an honor bestowed on the top ten student-athletes in terms of grade-point average for that academic year. She also earned Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area honors last year.
“Sammy was an easy choice to pick as one of our captains,” commented DiPietro. “She plays the game the right way and is never out of position. Sammy is small in stature, but isn't afraid to say what's on her mind. Sammy is a leader!”
The Owls look to improve on their 19-30 overall record from a year ago. Temple is picked to finish one spot higher than its 2010 seventh-place finish in preseason voting conducted by the Atlantic 10 coaches.
The Cherry and White open the season on February 25 when they head to Tampa, Fla., for the competitive USF Fairfield Inn & Suites Tampa North Tournament. First pitch of the season is slated for 8:30 a.m. against Western Michigan, before the squad takes on #8 Missouri at 10:30 a.m.
Cook returns to the squad after a solid rookie season that saw her start in all 47 games in which she played. She saw time at four different positions for the Owls (catcher, first base, third base and designated hitter), with most of her time spent behind the plate or at first. Cook batted .213 with five doubles and two homeruns a year ago. Defensively, she was solid in her active positions, committing just nine errors in 256 chances for a .965 fielding percentage.
“Kayla may only be a sophomore, but in the coaches' opinion, has earned the right to be a captain for this team,” said DiPietro. “Being a catcher, she acts like a coach on the field, calling plays and moving people. I believe, even though Kayla is a young player, that she has the respect of the entire team.”
Marris leads the team after an impressive junior campaign, her first with the squad after transferring from New Mexico State. Marris was Temple's ace on the mound, posting a 2.65 ERA while striking out 141 batters and holding opponents to a .211 batting average. She is also the team's leading returner at the plate, hitting for a .290 clip. Marris was also a dependable defensive player with just one error in 71 chances for a .986 fielding percentage.
“Kristen is our only senior and she leads in a quiet manner,” commented DiPietro. “She is quick with a smile or a pat on the back, letting everyone know things are going to be okay. Kirsten can be reserved, but our players look up to her because she is a great person, on top of being our number one pitcher.”
The centerfielder in every one of Temple's 49 games a season ago, Robinson will look to build on a successful rookie year. Robinson was fourth on the squad, and tops among freshmen, with a .254 batting average. She was tied with Cook for second on the team with five doubles, and her four homeruns ranked third on the squad. From her perch in centerfield, Robinson was nearly flawless, committing just one error throughout the year in 71 chances for a .986 percentage.
“Ali was the first player we selected to be a captain,” said DiPietro. “She was the easiest of the four. Not only is Ali one of our top players, but she is the player that gives 100% at all times, from the time she steps on the field, to the time she leaves. Our players look up to Ali and respect not only her performance, but what she has to say.”
Schoell rounds out the quartet of captains for the Cherry and White. A mainstay in TU's lineup for the past two years, Schoell was a starter in 46 of the 47 games she played in last season. Playing primarily in right field, she has proven herself as a defensive gem, not committing an error in her first two years. At the plate, Schoell was the team's go-to sacrifice hitter a year ago, leading the squad with seven. In addition to her success on the field, Schoell was a member of the Trustee Ten, an honor bestowed on the top ten student-athletes in terms of grade-point average for that academic year. She also earned Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area honors last year.
“Sammy was an easy choice to pick as one of our captains,” commented DiPietro. “She plays the game the right way and is never out of position. Sammy is small in stature, but isn't afraid to say what's on her mind. Sammy is a leader!”
The Owls look to improve on their 19-30 overall record from a year ago. Temple is picked to finish one spot higher than its 2010 seventh-place finish in preseason voting conducted by the Atlantic 10 coaches.
The Cherry and White open the season on February 25 when they head to Tampa, Fla., for the competitive USF Fairfield Inn & Suites Tampa North Tournament. First pitch of the season is slated for 8:30 a.m. against Western Michigan, before the squad takes on #8 Missouri at 10:30 a.m.
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