Softball

After a tough 2008 campaign, the 2009 Rosemont College Softball team stepped up to the plate. Not only were records broken, but the team improved immensely including breaking a 67-game losing streak by winning its first game against College of Notre Dame. Overall the team finished 1-26 and 1-21 in the Colonial States Athletic Conference.

“I feel the program is heading in a positive direction,” said head coach Joe Long. “We did get through a couple 7 inning games and we did win one game. The new players along with our returnees really came together and made an impact.”

Head Coach Joe Long returned to helm the team for his fourth year. He was assisted by Jami Hughes in her third.

The Ramblers broke some Rosemont records along the way including most runs scored.  The team scored 23 in a losing effort against Lincoln University.  In addition, they were walked 19 times in the game, another Rosemont record. 

This year’s captains were seniors Jessica Muff (Upper Darby/Arch. Prendergast) and Abby Schwartz (Haddonfield, N.J./Haddon Twp.). Muff was sidelined for most of the season due to injury, but was still a presence at practices and games. Schwartz was also a strong leader. She even earned a spot on the CSAC All-Sportsmanship Team for softball.

The freshman and first year players made an immediate impact starting with first year Rebecca Zimmerman (Lebanon/Annville Cleona). She led the team in hitting with a .345 average totaling 19 hits, eight doubles and 12 RBI. Her offensive effort led her to a Player of the Week nod from the conference on March 25^th. 

Not far behind was sophomore Adriann Demchenko (Philadelphia/George Washington). She compiled a .339 average with 19 hits, two homeruns, four doubles and a team-leading 15 RBI.

The Rosemont pitching staff also made headway this year. First years Caitlin Mazzoni (Middletown, Del./Middletown) and Zimmerman and sophomore Heather Daneker (New Cumberland/Cedar Cliff) took last year’s staff’s era from a 26.19 to a 15.57.  Mazzoni now holds the Rosemont record for most games pitched with 22 this season.

In addition, sophomore Ashley Conti (Little Falls, N.J./Passaic Valley) did a fine job stepping in the leadoff and centerfield positions for Muff. She collected nine hits, 11 RBI and 28 putouts. Sophomore Christa Bednarek was a force behind the plate with 64 putouts. She hit .207 with 12 hits and 13 RBI.

Rosemont will lose three seniors: Emily Montanez (Philadelphia/Frankford), Jessica Muff and Schwartz. Montanez collected five hits and had seven RBI and 58 putouts as a utility player on the team.

Rounding out the squad were juniors Alex Benfold (Cherry Hill, N.J./Bishop Eustace) and Karen Boyle (Swarthmore/Arch. Prendergast) and sophomore Kris Muff (Upper Darby/Arch. Prendergast). Benfold saw time in the outfield while Boyle and Kris Muff were staples in the infield at first and second respectively.

On the outlook for next year’s team Long said, “If we can keep some of the core players and add a few more we can improve even more next season.”