Season Preview
2008 PREVIEW
Buffalo State enters the 2008 season ranked No. 19 in the nation in the preseason coaches’ poll after returning eight players from a team that went 27-11 a season ago.
The Bengals have averaged more than 27 wins-per-season over the last five years and have established themselves as one of the teams to beat in the region over the past two decades.
Under Head Coach Sandra Hollander for the 20th season, the Bengals will be eying a fourth SUNYAC championship and an eighth trip to the NCAA postseason.
“Although we lost a couple of strong bats, we feel we have converted some of the holes in our defense into strengths this season,” said Hollander. “Falling a game short of the SUNYAC finals each of the past two seasons, we definitely feel we are in a position to take that next step this season.”
Here is a look around the horn at the 2008 Bengals:
PITCHER: The Bengals are anchored on the mound by All-SUNYAC ace Aimee Fisher (Hamburg/Frontier), who in just two seasons, already ranks second in school history with 299 strikeouts. She broke the school’s single season mark as a freshman and then topped it again last year, fanning 161 batters, while posting a 14-4 record. Joining the rotation will be junior transfer Jenna Frieling (E. Amherst/Williamsville North). She is an excellent compliment to Fisher and will create a strong one-two punch. Freshman Danielle Gaimari (N. Syracuse/CNS) will add much needed depth in the circle.
CATCHER: Freshman Karen Oste (Jamestown/Maple Grove) will look to secure a starting spot in the battery as a solid defensive catcher with an outstanding arm. Junior transfer Marissa Mariano (Williamsville/Mt. St. Mary) adds depth behind the plate and provides a strong bat in the hitting lineup.
FIRST BASE: Junior Jessica Mooney (Tonawanda/Kenmore West) will return as a starter at first base for a third season. She is solid defensively and will look to continue where she left off, improving her batting average from .198 to .352 from her rookie to sophomore season. Freshman Sonia Veiga (Mexico/Mexico) will see time as a backup at first.
SECOND BASE: Freshman Arielle Austin (Smithtown/Smithtown West) will step in and look to make an instant impact at second base. She has a high softball IQ and reads the play very well.
THIRD BASE: Junior Jolene Banach (Cheektowaga/Maryvale) will hold down the “hot corner” again this season. A two-time All-SUNYAC selection, and an All-Region performer, Banach has established herself as one of the premier complete players in the conference. Freshman Heather Re (Lindenhurst/Lindenhurst) will add depth at third base and behind the plate and will look to contribute at the plate as well.
SHORTSTOP: Senior Jordan Banach (Cheektowaga/Maryvale) will start in the six-hole for the fourth-consecutive season, offering good range and a strong arm. At the plate, she possesses a powerful bat, ranking third in school history with 17 career homeruns.
OUTFIELD: Junior Nicole Maher (Waterloo/Waterloo) and sophomore Christina Tschari (Williamsville/Clarence) return as starters in the outfield. Maher had a breakthrough season in her sophomore campaign, starting in centerfield and adding a reliable bat to the Bengals’ offensive attack. Tschari did not commit a single error in right field as a rookie and will look to player a larger role in the offense this season. Freshman Courtney Keleher (Tonawanda/Kenmore West) will likely start in the outfield adding excellent range and will look to fill the void as the team’s leadoff hitter. Junior transfer Carly Lopez (Oriskany/Oriskany) is extremely versatile and will also vie for a starting role in the outfield and is a capable backup at every position in the infield. Returnees Katie Melsert (Burnt Hills/Burnt Hills) and Becky Shank (Williamsville/Williamsville East) are two more extremely versatile and valuable players that will compete for time in the outfield. Melsert is also a capable backup behind the plate and adds a left-handed bat in the hitting lineup. Shank is a strong team player that can play nearly any position and is also used in pinch running situations.
SCHEDULE: After almost 20 years of opening the season in Ft. Myers, Fla., the Bengals have a new destination for their spring trip, a little further north in the “Sunshine State”. Buffalo State will begin the season in Clermont, just outside of Orlando, at the USA National Training Center from March 20-26 with games against Fairleigh Dickinson, Messiah, Indiana Tech, Carleton and Bethel. The Bengals will open SUNYAC play on March 28 at SUNYIT. The Bengals will open the home slate on Apr. 4 against Oneonta. Other non-conference opponents will be RIT, Rochester, Nazareth and Ithaca. The SUNYAC Championships will be held at the highest seed on May 1-4.
