Completed Event: Softball versus Iowa on April 21, 2026 , Loss , 2, to, 7
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Iowa State University Athletics
Cyclone Softball Set For 2008 Campaign
02.05.2008 | Softball
AMES, Iowa - The Iowa State softball team will open up its 2008 season this weekend when it travels to Fargo, N.D., to take part in the Fargodome Tournament. The Cyclones, who will play a pair of games against Wisconsin-Green Bay and North Dakota State, held their annual media day on Monday and Cyclones.com was there to talk with third-year head coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler and sophomore catcher Alex Johnson about the upcoming season.
2008 Season Outlook
Iowa State enters the season with a new look as the Cyclones return just four starters and will welcome seven newcomers to the squad. They look to improve on a 24-40 mark a year ago.
ISU opened spring practice on Jan. 14 at the Bergstrom Indoor Facility. The $9.6 million facility was previously used for football and soccer practice with the Cyclone softball team using it for the first time in 2008. The Cyclones will practice together for four weeks before opening the season on Feb. 9 at the Fargodome Tournament in Fargo, N.D.
In addition to the seven newcomers and four returning starters, ISU also returns five letterwinners that will be in the mix for playing time. The Cyclones' top returnee, sophomore catcher Alex Johnson (Raymore, Mo.), had one of the best freshman campaigns in school history when she recorded 62 hits and led the Cyclones with a .320 batting average en route to earning all-Big 12 second-team honors.
“I think it's going to be a fun year for us,” Iowa State head coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “This year we have more depth in each position than we have had in the past couple years, which adds great competition to practice and provides some flexibility if any injuries occur.”
Cyclone Pitchers
The Iowa State pitching staff will look for a new ace in 2008 as to replace four-year starter Alyssa Ransom, who wrapped up her career with 45 career wins and 486 strikeouts.
Senior Amie Ford (Katy, Texas) is coming off an injury-plagued fall season. The most experienced hurler on the staff, Ford will attempt to earn a spot in the rotation by mixing speeds with her precise command.
Joining Ford will be sophomore Charissa Carlin (Sprinfield, Mo.), who went 9-11 as a freshman. Carlin has shown great improvement since the conclusion of last season and relies on movement to beat her counterparts.
Freshman Rachel Zabriskie (Austin, Texas) joins the mix and will be counted on to provide depth and potentially earn a spot in the rotation. Zabriskie went 4-1 in the fall and posted an impressive 0.87 ERA while striking out 46.
“I feel like we have a good mix with our staff,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “The non-conference season will give Amie a chance to get back into form so she is ready for Big 12 play.
“Charissa has worked hard and continued to get better and I look for her to develop into a solid pitcher,” added Gemeinhardt-Cesler. “Rachel has good speed and great movement and I think she'll compete and have success.”
Cyclone Catchers
Iowa State boasts more depth at catcher than in previous seasons as three players will compete for time behind the dish.
Alex Johnson, who was ISU's designated player last year as a freshman, joins the freshman duo of talented Renae Cooper (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and Sara Stinson (Mesquite, Texas) at the catcher position.
“Each of the catchers offer something different, something positive to our team,” said Gemeinhardt-Cesler. “Alex led our team offensively last year while Sara came from a great summer program, has a great arm and is strong defensively. Renae is very athletic and can not only catch but play multiple positions.”
Cyclone Infielders
The Cyclones will have plenty of infield options this season as ISU returns its starters at both shortstop and second base in Courtney Wray (Overland Park, Kan.) and Amanda Bradberry (Kearney, Mo.), respectively.
Wray and Bradberry, who finished third and fourth on the team in batting average as freshmen, respectively, won't be able to rest on their laurels as many talented newcomers joined the competition for playing time this season.
Sydni Jones (Enid, Okla.), a transfer from Rogers State, and Alex Johnson are the Cyclones most likely to see action at first base. Johnson started 10 games at first base as a freshman and Jones makes the move to the corner after playing shortstop for the Hillcats last season.
The Cyclones hope to be better defensively at third base this season with either senior Ariel Coburn (Pleasant Hill, Mo.) or junior college transfer Jacquelyn Beatty (Austin, Texas) filling that corner. Coburn started 14 games, including six in the Big 12, at third base for ISU a year ago while Beatty hit .362 and helped McLennan (Texas) Community College to the Junior College World Series last season.
Freshman Carrie Monroe (Austin, Texas) could see action at either shortstop or second base after an impressive fall season in which she led the Cyclones with a .471 batting average.
“I like what we have available in the infield this season,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “We're pretty inexperienced there but we've got a good leaders in Amanda, Ariel and Courtney to help our young players. She is one of the softest spoken players on the team but also one of the best leaders.”
Cyclone Outfielders
Four players will be in the mix for playing time in the outfield with senior Kristy Olsen (Gardnerville, Nev.) expected to start in right field. Olsen stole 17 bases a year ago and is the Cyclones' most experienced player, having played in 152 career games.
Kelsey Kidwell (Solon, Iowa) will shift over to center after splitting time with Olsen in right field a year ago. Kidwell continues to improve offensively, hitting .429 during the fall season.
Freshman Carleigh Berry (Shawnee, Kan.) is expected to start in left field.
Either Berry, Kidwell or Olsen will bat leadoff for the Cyclones.
“We have three really fast lefties that are interchangeable at the one, two or nine spots in the lineup.”
Michelle Dettmer (Waterloo, Iowa) was a pleasant surprise during the fall and could see time for ISU in the outfield.
The Schedule
Games against 2007 national champion, top-16 NCAA seed Virginia Tech and eight other NCAA Tournament teams highlight the 2008 schedule.
“I think our schedule gives us a good opportunity to learn about our team while still challenging ourselves by facing some of the top teams in the nation,” said Gemeinhardt-Cesler. “Facing teams like Arizona and Virginia Tech early will allow us to gauge where we are at as a team.”
The Cyclones will also play an 18-game Big 12 schedule, opening at Baylor on Mar. 21.
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