2006 Season Preview
What some thought might be a rebuilding year for the Scots a year ago turned out to be another championship season including MIAA regular season and tournament titles along with another NCAA regional championship and return to the NCAA Division III World Series.The Scots weathered a tough Florida and road schedule to finish with a 33-10 overall record including a stretch where they won 28 of 30 games. The conference title is the ninth straight for Alma and the 11th NCAA Championship bid in the past 12 years.
Recognized as one of the premier programs in the country, Alma has produced an overall record of 419-115 in the last 12 years - a stellar .785 winning percentage. In that span they have won 10 league crowns and five NCAA regional titles, finishing as high as third in the country in 1999 and 2000. The Scots were ranked in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III poll virtually all of last season and finished in the number six position in the final poll. A consistent top ten team, the Scots are always a threat to contend for a national championship.
Alma returns the bulk of their lineup in 2006 including an experienced group of seniors. Senior Laura Bell (Walled Lake/Western) has been a key figure in the Scot lineup for three years and returns to her designated player/third base position. Bell overcame October knee surgery last year to hit .323, despite missing the first 12 games. Megan Knochel (Pinconning) became the everyday third baseman and provided great defense and timely hitting while classmate Megan Colligan (Northville/Novi) moved into the first base spot and had a powerful year at the plate, leading the team with five home runs and 33 RBI as well as being a reliable defender. Audra Reynolds (Blanchard/Montabella) played a lot of second base and contributed excellent defense as well as pop with her bat. Other seniors Lisa Cook (Alma/St. Louis), Andrea Lunsted (Haslett) and Kristy Muxlow (Brown City) were all steady performers and look to be called upon even more in 2006.
Three juniors will be counted on this year as Kay McDonald (Rosebush/Mt. Pleasant) looks to step into the No. 1 pitcher’s role after seeing some good varsity action last year. McDonald had several outstanding outings behind two senior All-Region pitchers in 2005 and is anxious to get her opportunity this season. Outfielder Emily Blahnik (Corunna) has started many games in her first two years, has come up with key hits time after time and should be a key factor in 2006. Angi Asam (Rogers City) has been a reliable utility player and valuable pinch runner and will be pushing for a regular spot this season.
An outstanding and deep sophomore class will be a key factor in the Scots’ success in 2006 as several members of that class were major contributors as freshmen. Shortstop Amy Gaudard (Mt. Pleasant) was the team’s leading hitter and provided steady play and leadership in the infield. Catcher/outfielder Shannon Harrington (DeWitt/St. Johns) brings another powerful bat and good versatility while Missy Morcom (Chelsea) was a key figure in the batting lineup and split time between second base and the outfield. Despite missing a 15 game stretch due to injury, Morcom was second on the team in RBI. Gaudard was a World Series All-Tournament Team member while Harrington was a First Team All-MIAA performer. Liana Easterby (Troy) saw time on the varsity and showed an extremely powerful bat and good defensive abilities at shortstop and third base while classmate Taylor Erwin (Fenton) has outstanding potential and both will be pushing for varsity playing time in 2006. Several freshmen spent the majority of their time on the junior varsity team, but have a good chance to contribute this year including pitcher Melissa Boguslawski (Madison Heights/Lamphere), shortstop Jessie Molhoek (Twin Lake/Reeths-Puffer), Heather Saputo (Macomb Twp./East Detroit) and Christina Jancek (Muskegon/Catholic). All showed great improvement over the course of last season.
Alma again will play one of the toughest schedules in Division III including a 10-game trip to Fort Myers, Fla., and travels to Ohio and Indiana. The 16-game MIAA schedule and tournament should be a challenge again and the Scots will also have a 20-game JV schedule. With a wealth of varsity players returning along with support from the JV team and another strong incoming freshman class, look for Alma to again be one of the favorites in 2006. The Scots bring their trademark enthusiastic style of play to work towards another MIAA title and NCAA trip.
Posted: Mon, January 16th, 2006 at 12:10PM
