For most on the Hill, March brings with it some hope of bearable weather, temptations of Spring Break in Daytona, or dreaded midterm hell-weeks. But for the softball team, it means a chance to get back to doing what they do best - winning.
Judging by postseason appearances and championships on both the league and national scene, Tufts softball is the university's most successful program, racking up an impressive postseason r?©sum?© over its short 20-year existence.
The Jumbos have won three of the four NESCAC championships since the league was formed in 2001, dropping off only last year to Williams for the title. The team has broken into the national top-25 on several occasions.
After establishing themselves as the team to beat in the newly-formed NESCAC during the conference's first three seasons, the Jumbos' stronghold over league play was loosened last season as the team fell in close games to Williams (1-0) and Middlebury (2-0) in the NESCAC tournament.
Although a mediocre 16-16 record was a drop-off from the 26-13, 29-9 and 29-11 marks of the previous three seasons, the Jumbos still finished 6-2 in league action while adjusting to the loss of NESCAC Player of the Year Lis Drake and the reshuffling at the coaching spot when NESCAC Coach of the Year Kris Herman was replaced by former player and assistant coach Cheryl Milligan ('95).
And as Milligan gears up for her second season at the head coaching position, she has a lot of things to look forward to. The team returns senior Katie Smith at first base, whose 2004 accolades included NESCAC Player of the Year, ECAC Player of the Year, and spots on both conference's First Teams. Also returning for the Jumbos is senior Courtney Bongiolatti, whose defensive presence at shortstop earned her spots on the All-NESCAC and All-New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches' Association teams.
"Our number one goal this year is definitely to win NESCAC," Bongiolatti said. "We have a lot of talent, some really good freshmen, and we're really looking to get the most out of our potential."
To fulfill that potential, the Jumbos will need to fill several key positions vacated by the Class of 2004. The team faces openings behind the plate, at second base, and in center field, and players will need to step up to ensure a strong core up the middle for the Jumbos. Milligan has confidence in her freshman class, which includes two catchers and a second baseman to help fill the holes on the field.
Milligan also commented on the leadership and talent of Smith and Bongiolatti, the only two seniors this season and co-captains of the 2005 squad.
"They're two remarkable players, and this year they're being asked to step outside themselves, outside their game, which has been truly phenomenal over the past three years," she said. "They're being asked to do a little bit more, and they're team players."
While consistently posting strong numbers in the field and at the plate, Tufts will need to bolster its strength on the mound to secure wins this season. The Jumbos' pitchers had an average ERA of 3.25 last year, placing eighth out of 10, while the team as a whole allowed 4.56 runs per game making them seventh in the league.
The softball team kicks off its season on March 20 in a double-header at Chapman University in California as they travel west for the annual Sun West Tournament in Orange, Calif.
"California is great for us," Bongiolatti said. "We play some really good competition, and our outfielders get a chance to play outside for a change, instead of the Cage. We come back energized and ready to play."
Playing 10 games over six days, the Jumbos' tournament schedule features some extremely competitive programs, including two games against the 2004 Div. III national champions, St. Thomas.
"Our goal for California is to come out around .500," Milligan said. "We're going to see some really good teams, but if we can't come back 6-6, we're doing something wrong."
The Jumbos will look to do everything right this season and hopefully retake the league title from Williams and reaffirm Tufts' reputation as the team to beat in NESCAC softball.
