Softball 2/13/2013 11:50:00 AM

Stars look for continued success on softball diamond

Six seniors lead OCU softball in 2013

Tori Joyner hit .397 and was second in the NAIA with 48 stolen bases in 2012.

Oklahoma City University enters the 2013 season as the fourth-ranked squad in NAIA softball.
OCU opens its new season with a doubleheader against St. Mary (Kan.) at 1 p.m. and Bethany (Kan.) at 4 p.m. Friday at Ann Lacy Stadium.
OCU made it all the way to the NAIA title game a season ago and finished runner-up to Shorter (Ga.) with an overall record of 47-20. The Stars won their 16th Sooner Athletic Conference title in 2012.
“We have six seniors this year, but we have taken some hits,” OCU coach Phil McSpadden said. “We are going into this season with more question marks than ever, but we have good kids that work hard and they have put in the time to minimize those shortcomings. I have been very impressed with how much they have improved since last May.”
The 2013 Stars are led by returning all-American and all-SAC performers Tori Joyner and LeeAnn Lopez.
Joyner, of Mustang, Okla., hit .397, scored 53 runs and tallied 25 runs batted in as the Stars' leadoff hitter in 2012. The senior short stop was second in the NAIA with 48 stolen bases and led the nation with 234 total bases. Joyner was named first-team all-SAC, second-team NFCA all-American and honorable-mention NAIA all-American.
“Tori can make a big difference for us this year,” McSpadden said. “I won't say we need to have a great year from her because she has been pretty consistent for us during her career.”
Lopez, of Grand Prairie, Texas, hit .399 with 62 RBIs, 40 extra-base hits and was fifth best in the NAIA with 19 home runs. The senior first baseman posted 32 multi-hit games and 20 multi-RBI games. Lopez earned first-team all-SAC, NFCA all-American and NAIA all-American honors as a junior.
“LeeAnn will be a middle of the order type hitter for us again,” McSpadden said. “We will need some RBI production from her this year. I'm counting on her for senior leadership.”
A position-by-position look at the Stars:

Pitching

Leading the Stars in the circle is Danielle Fox, of Yukon, Okla. The junior right hander went 4-0 with a 3.23 earned run average and 13 strikeouts in 17.1 innings. Fox hit .291 with 22 RBIs, six doubles and three home runs in 151 plate appearances as an outfielder.
“Dani Fox might be our ace this year,” McSpadden said. “She'll definitely be in our lineup offensively. We'll try to keep her bat in the lineup as much as possible and play her in the outfield a little bit.”
Elizabeth Oberst, of Benicia, Calif., rejoins to the Stars in 2013. The senior lefty went 11-2 with a 1.77 ERA and four saves for OCU in 2008. Oberst struck out 97 batters and notched four complete games and four shutouts.
“When she is on she can be great,” McSpadden said. “She has some good pitches, and she has the ability to have a good year.”
Rachel Penner, a freshman from Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, rounds out the Stars' pitching staff. The freshman righty helped Kelowna Christian to three provincial championships in high school.
“Rachel is a pitcher from Canada,” McSpadden said. “She will have to come in a give us some good innings.”

Infield

Drew Wright, a transfer from Moore, Okla., will be behind the plate for the Stars in 2013. The senior infielder led Cameron with 33 RBIs and 15 doubles a season ago. Wright was a third-team all-Lone Star Conference and gold glove performer at third base.
“We are working her behind the plate at catcher, but she's been playing third so she could see some time a third base as well,” McSpadden said. “I think she can be a 3-4-5 type hitter for us. She will be valuable for offensively.”
Angela Lovelady, of El Cajon, Calif., won a SAC gold glove for her play a second base a year ago, and could also see time behind the plate. The senior second baseman hit .300 with 53 RBIs and six home runs. Lovelady was named honorable mention all-SAC.
“I feel like she is going to have a really good year for us,” McSpadden said. “There is just something about her work ethic and mental approach this year. I have a sense that she might outplay everyone.”
Newcomer Kyndra Holasek joins the Stars' infield and could see time at third base and second base. The freshman from Mustang, Okla., was an all-State performer at Mustang High School.
“Kyndra is a very impressive freshman,” McSpadden said. “She is a DI caliber payer and is probably the best athlete on the team.”

Outfield

Magean De La Torre, of Plano, Texas, was an all-conference performer at third base for the Stars a junior but will transition to center field in 2013. The senior outfielder hit .358 with 48 RBIs, 11 doubles and nine home runs. De La Torre posted 23 multi-hit games and was named first-team all-SAC.
“Magean will be a 3-4-5 type for us,” McSpadden said. “We will need some RBI production from her and I'm counting on her for senior leadership as well.”
Jamie Rateliff, of Mustang, Okla., started all 68 games for the Stars as a freshman. The sophomore outfielder hit .344 with 39 RBIs, five home runs and six steals. Rateliff had 18 multi-hit games and 10 multi-RBI games a season ago.
“Jamie had a good year as a freshman and I think she will have a better year as a sophomore,” McSpadden said. “She seems to be swinging the bat better this year.”
Emily Krienke, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, could see playing time in the Stars' outfield in 2013. The sophomore lefty hit .333 in 27 plate appearances with nine hits and five RBIs off the OCU bench a season ago.
“Emily might be one of our top-nine hitters,” McSpadden said. “There a chance that we might get her into the lineup in right field. She's a left-handed power hitter.”
Freshmen Kayley Humann, of Edmond, Okla., and Shelbi Legg, of Mustang, Okla., will compete for playing time in left field. Humann competed in track and field as well as playing softball at Edmond Santa Fe. Legg was a three-sport star and an all-State selection at Mustang High School.
“Kayley and Shelbi are competing for the leftfielder job,” McSpadden said. “They are our best defensive option in that spot.”

The defending SAC champion Stars have been picked to finish second in the conference by league coaches.
“Everyone is projecting Lubbock Christian to finish first in the conference,” McSpadden said. “They lost a lot like we did, but they return one of the best pitchers in the country. St. Gregory's has a new coach and I think she will do a good job, and Oklahoma Baptist usually has good pitching. I still think it will come down to us and Lubbock Christian.”
According to McSpadden, scoring runs and staying healthy are the keys to OCU's success in 2013.
“We have to stay healthy and swing the bat like we're capable of and outscore people,” McSpadden said. “I believe we are a better defensive ballclub than we were a year ago. It won't show on paper because we will give up more stolen bases and runs, but we have the ability to make plays that weren't made last year.”
Eight-time NAIA champion OCU enters every season with championship aspirations, and McSpadden says this year is no different.
“Our expectations are the same every year,” McSpadden said. “With this bunch, I expect to win a conference title and that will set us in motion to make a run in the national tournament. We do have some shortcomings, but we won't be satisfied with finishing second in the conference.”
OCU has won NAIA titles in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2007.

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