Feb. 15, 2007

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - Despite losing three seniors, including the most productive offensive player in program history, head coach George DiMatteo believes the 2007 Lewis softball team has the potential to achieve greater success than last year's record-setting squad.

"The Flyers are most definitely a team to be reckoned with," said DiMatteo, who brings a 762-390-6 career record into his 24th season at Lewis. "Our pitching and defense is improved, and our offense and power will be there."

Finishing 39-15 last season with the fourth most wins in program history, the Flyers placed second in the Great Lakes Valley Conference and earned the program's seventh NCAA Regional berth.

The best offensive team in program history, the 2006 Flyers established new team records for batting average, runs, hits, RBI, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. The Flyers also smashed a team-record 38 home runs, surpassing the previous best of 25 set during the 2000 season.

Two-time All-American Robin Martz, the program's all-time hits leader, and all-conference third baseman Amy Yusko were two key components of last year's success who are no longer in the lineup. But, Lewis' five other all-conference players return.

The Flyers' 13 returners combined for 29 of the team's 38 home runs, and five players hit .300 or better in 2006. Defensively, the Flyers bring back their top three pitchers, who, as freshmen, combined for a 1.96 ERA.

The 2007 senior class consists of three starters who will serve as tri-captains this season.

Senior Kristy Vanek, a two-time all conference selection, hit .338 last season and drove in 35 runs, the second-highest RBI total on the team. She bats clean-up and plays first base and catcher for the Flyers.

"Kristy improved her average by 100 points last year," said DiMatteo. "I'm expecting her to continue to provide that consistent offensive production. She's a good contact hitter with power to the gaps and has become a big-time run producer for us."

Senior Christina Willis is the Flyers' outfield captain in center field. She is a left-handed slap hitter who fills the Flyers' ninth spot in the lineup. Willis scored 25 runs last season and proved to be a clutch hitter.

"Christina is our most experienced outfielder," said DiMatteo. "At the plate, it seems like the more talented the pitcher, the better she hits, especially in crucial situations."

Senior Beth Shelus, the Flyers' second baseman, is penciled in as the Flyers' No. 2 hitter. Shelus stole 10 bases in 15 tries last season, the third highest total on the team. Her spot in the order and her speed will afford her many more opportunities to get on base and run this season.

"Beth is an outstanding defensive player with great speed," said DiMatteo. "She struggled a bit at the plate last year, but she has a renewed confidence this season and is making much better contact with the ball. She also is a disciplined hitter and a good bunter."

The Flyers' three juniors are catcher/infielder Mallory Paine and outfielders Ashley LeGrand and Carla Musillo.

Paine, in a breakout sophomore season, tied the Lewis record for home runs (nine) and set a new mark for RBI (49) in 2006. She was one of two Flyers selected to the all-region team. Paine is the Flyers' primary backstop and a back-up second baseman.

"Mallory had an incredible year last season," said DiMatteo. "She has a great swing and can adapt to any type of pitcher. I don't think we've seen the best of Mallory yet. I know she is capable of hitting .400 or better."

LeGrand provided some pop off the bench for the Flyers last season, hitting .302 in 53 at-bats with two home runs and 10 RBI. Starting in left field in 2007, LeGrand's offensive numbers should increase with additional at-bats.

"Ashley has hit well for us and with power," said DiMatteo. "Defensively, she's developed into a good outfielder with an accurate arm."

Musillo, who plays right field, is another player capable of power at the plate. She hit two home runs in 45 at-bats last season and led the team with four home runs as a freshman.

"Carla plays a stellar defensive right field," said DiMatteo. "She has a strong arm and a great glove. At the plate, I'm looking for her to return to her freshman form. She is capable of providing some pop."

The Flyers' seven sophomores consist of pitchers Julie Wingerter and Courtney Lyons, infielder/pitcher Lisa Gartland, shortstop Kelly Dianis, third baseman Michelle Yudys and outfielders Carissa Castonzo and Jessica Beck.

Wingerter and Lyons shouldered the bulk of the pitching duties in 2006, combining to pitch 241 of the team's 353 innings last season. DiMatteo considers both pitchers as No. 1 starters.

"We asked a lot of Julie and Courtney as freshmen and they answered," said DiMatteo. "They pitched a lot of innings and gained a tremendous amount of experience."

Wingerter posted a 14-8 record with 11 complete games and was among the conference leaders in ERA last season. Her 1.73 ERA, .219 opponent's batting average and 104 strikeouts all led the team.

"Julie has a devastating rise-ball and a good change-up," said DiMatteo. "She strikes out a lot of batters. She's also quick out of the circle, so it's difficult to bunt for a hit against her."

Lyons went 13-5 with 13 complete games, posted a 2.11 ERA with 88 strikeouts last season and picked up three saves. Lyons also plays first base, and bats seventh or eighth in the lineup.

"Courtney doesn't get rattled," said DiMatteo. "She forces hitters to make mistakes and is a hard thrower. Courtney also has good defense skills at first base and is a consistent line-drive hitter."

Gartland is another sophomore who figures to see some time pitching. She went 7-1 with a 2.16 ERA last season as one of the Flyers alternate pitchers. An all-conference utility player last season, Gartland played shortstop and in the outfield, but it was her power at the plate that made it hard for DiMatteo to keep her out of the lineup. Gartland hit .305 and hammered five long balls.

"Lisa is a versatile player with exceptional power," said DiMatteo. "I'm looking forward to seeing her put up big offensive numbers this season."

With Dianis playing postseason ball with the women's basketball team, Gartland figures to see a lot of starts at shortstop through the first part of the season.

When Dianis does return, the Lewis offense should hit full speed. Dianis hit .386, clubbed eight home runs and knocked in 32 RBI in 2006. Her batting average and home run total were the highest ever for a Lewis freshman.

"Kelly was one of our top offensive players last season despite missing the first 14 games," said DiMatteo. "She has the ability to hit for average and power. Her best is yet to come."

Yudys is among those in the battle for the starting spot at third base. In limited action last season, Yudys displayed a steady glove and went 3-for-9 with the bat, mostly in a pinch-hitting role.

"Michelle hits the ball hard," said DiMatteo. "Defensively, she gets the ball over to first in a hurry. She will get a chance to earn the starting spot at third."

Castonzo and Beck will help shore up the outfield. Castonzo saw action in 18 games last season, playing mostly in right field, and has shown ability to play first base.

"Carissa has an accurate throwing arm from right field and is good defensively in the outfield and at first base," said DiMatteo. "Her offensive potential is there. She showed good power in fall ball. I think she could benefit from more at-bats."

Beck saw some time in center field last season, but her speed made her DiMatteo's top choice as a pinch-runner.

"Jessica is a fine defensive player with a strong and accurate arm," said DiMatteo. "She didn't get many at-bats last season, so I'm anxious to see how she progresses at the plate when given the opportunity this season."

Freshmen Jenna Howard, Brittany DiPietro, Lexie Vernon, Christine Juehne and Kara Harmatys round out the Flyers' 2007 roster.

Howard, a pitcher out of Geneseo, Ill., will see plenty of time in the circle for the Flyers.

"Jenna is a terrific, hard-throwing pitcher," said DiMatteo. "She has the heart, intelligence and character to be among the best."

DiPietro, a Joliet Catholic standout, was brought in as a back-up catcher but also has ability in the infield and could battle for the third base opening. Vernon, a former Lincoln-Way East star, and Juehne, a left-handed slapper, will provide depth in the outfield. Harmatys, a walk-on whose brother Tim plays on the Lewis baseball team, strengthens the middle infield.

"We have a solid freshmen class," said DiMatteo. "We'll certainly be looking for contributions from each of them at various points throughout the season."

Other contributions to the Flyers' success in 2007 will come from an expanded coaching staff. Assistant coach Joan Gorski returns for her seventh season with the Flyers, former third baseman Yusko is on board as an assistant, and Taylor Petersen, a two-time All-America selection at Aurora University, will help develop the pitching staff.

The Flyers open the season in Georgia, playing five games in the West Georgia Invitational. From there, Lewis heads to the Southern Illinois Edwardsville tournament for four games, including contests against Emporia State and Nebraska-Omaha.

"This is by far one of the toughest opening stretches we've ever played," said DiMatteo. "We're going to play some of the top teams in the nation."

Following the early tournaments, the Flyers head to Florida for the annual Rebel Spring Games. The Flyers play 10 games in Florida, facing four in-region opponents. After Florida, the team returns home to host the Great Lakes Region Mini-Showdown, featuring five of the eight teams that qualified for the 2006 NCAA Great Lakes Regional.

By mid-March the Flyers settle into conference play, wrapping up the regular season with a pair of home doubleheaders during the last weekend of April.

"The conference is wide open this year," said DiMatteo. "Count on Lewis, NKU, SIUE and USI to be there at the end.

"Our goals for the season are to win conference, qualify for our eighth regional and reach the national tournament in Ashland (Ohio)."