DePauw University's softball field. SAM CARAVANA / THE DEPAUW
What should fans expect when watching the 2015 edition of DePauw University softball? Most likely, a heavy dose of Kahla Nolan on the mound for the Tigers.
The senior is back for her fourth year with the Tigers and has emerged as the workhorse and ace of the pitching staff. Last season, Nolan started 37 games and compiled a record of 24-14 with an earned run average of only 2.53.
Of the team’s 315.1 innings pitched, Nolan was on the mound for over 268 of those innings, meaning Nolan recorded over 85 percent of the Tigers’ outs in 2015.
“We relied a lot on Kahla's pitching last year, but we're grateful to have three freshman pitchers who are going to make a big impact on this team,” junior Linsey Button said.
Joining the staff will be first-years Emma Baldwin, KJ Holden and Rebekkah Roberts who will have an opportunity to learn from DePauw’s ace.
“They have the great model of leadership and experience from Kahla, and have tons of room to grow,” Button said. “The freshman pitchers are going to be a key spot on the field this year, and having them along with Kahla will only help the team.”
Nolan and the rest of the Tigers will be looking to improve on a 27-20 season from a year ago that saw them win a North Coast Athletic Conference Championship in dramatic fashion and advance deep into the NCAA championship tournament.
“We are lucky enough to have some great impact players coming back this season and along with our coaching staff I believe we will be prepared to contend for the NCAC title,” senior third baseman Taylor Golden said.
DePauw’s lack of experience last season shouldn’t be a problem in 2014. After losing only two seniors to graduation from the previous year’s squad, the Tigers roster will be made up of 9 upperclassmen who hope to take the next step in competing for a national title.
“We have all been in postseason and high pressure situations, and have learned how to put the nervous emotions behind us,” Button said. “We are really hoping to pass this philosophy on to the underclassman and instill a calm and collected attitude no matter the situation.
In addition to Nolan, the Tigers will be returning all seven batters who hit over .300 a year ago. DePauw will likely rely on the bat of junior infielder Linsey Button. In her second season with the Tigers, Button hit .333 with six home runs and tied for the team lead with 31 runs batted in.
Along with Button comes speedster Jennifer Ridge who hit .370 and stole a team-high 20 bases while only being caught twice.
The Tigers will get things underway this weekend, when the head to Memphis, Tenn. to play in the 2015 Rhodes College tournament. DePauw will play four games against Washington University in St. Louis, Maryville College and the host Lynx.
Last season, the Tigers went 3-1 at the tournament with a pair of wins over Maryville and one win over the hosts.
While the team is excited to get the season going, depth may be an issue for the Tigers in Tennessee. Some of the team has struggled to pass the fitness test required to take the field for the Tigers.
The women are required to do a variety of physical and mental exercises in order to be eligible to play, something a few players are struggling with at the moment. The entire team will travel when the team heads south to open the season this weekend.
“Everyone is traveling and everyone has the chance to pass up until Saturday morning and we’re hopeful that many if not all will pass and play,” sophomore outfielder Julia Waggoner said.
Golden is convinced, however, this will have no effect on team morale.
“We are all excited to go to Tennessee,” Golden said. “Whether a player has passed the fitness test or not we are one team and happy for each others successes.”