They wear brown instead of gold, their average height is just over 5'4", and they don't have the championship banner (yet). But Tufts' own version of the Fab Five is suiting up again, and they're ready to make a run at the title in 2006.
The emergence of last year's freshman class on the Tufts' softball scene provided a spark that helped to propel the team to a 27-8 season and a top seed in the NESCAC playoffs. The firepower of the now-sophomores will be needed even more this year in the absence of departed seniors Courtney Bongiolatti and Katie Smith, whose various accolades include All-American honors, NESCAC Players of the Year awards and a host of shattered offensive records.
The quintet of Danielle Lopez, Erica Bailey, Mara Dodson, Megan Cusick and Heather Kleinberger is gearing up to reclaim the NESCAC crown, which Williams has won for two years running. Together, the five were responsible for half of the Jumbos' hits and 23 of their 42 home runs last year.
"I just want our team to come together and bring the NESCAC back this year," Lopez said.
In a NESCAC fantasy softball league, Lopez would have to be on top of anyone's draft list. She brings a combination of offensive power and consistency, speed and defensive prowess. Her tremendous numbers last season earned her the 2005 NESCAC Rookie of the Year award. She started all 35 of the Jumbos' games and led the team in batting average (.379), hits (44), stolen bases (seven) and runs scored (36). She also hammered eight home runs and 27 RBIs.
Lopez, the team's second baseman, batted leadoff last year, but will be pulled down to the third spot this season. Her on-field dominance, however, is not her only contribution to the team.
"Danielle's a great kid with a great attitude," coach Cheryl Milligan said. "She's been doing a great job taking on the leadership role."
Bailey broke out all over the place her freshman year. With a team-best 1.58 ERA on the mound, a .337 batting average and a .708 slugging percentage, Bailey pulled double-duty as a designated hitter on her off-days. She hit eight homers, drove in 29 runs and scored 24 runs. Nagging back problems kept Bailey from maxing out her potential, but if she can stay injury-free this year, those numbers should only go up as she moves into the cleanup spot.
"She's coming off a fairly successful freshman campaign, but she couldn't reach her potential with her injuries," Milligan said. "[But when healthy,] she probably has the potential for the most power."
On the other end of Bailey's pitching power are Dodson and Cusick, both coming off phenomenal though injury-plagued freshman seasons. Cusick, a 2005 First-Team All-NESCAC and All-New England selection, batted .302 for the Jumbos, and her three home runs belie her deep hitting ability.
Dodson was forced into limited playing time with an ankle injury last season, but she made the most of her 75 at-bats, cracking 24 hits, three home runs and five doubles. Cusick hit .307 with three homers, 12 runs batted in and 13 runs in 32 games.
"Both Mara and Megan are back and healthy," Milligan said. "And we've made them into full-time players instead of platoon players."
In this coming season, Dodson will start at catcher, while Cusick will transition to third base and fill in occasionally at first. Although the bottom half of the batting order is not yet completely fixed, Dodson and Cusick will fill in between the fifth and seventh spots in the order.
Completing the quintet is Heather Kleinberger, last year's third baseman and occasional pitcher, who will likely platoon at Bongiolatt's old position, shortstop, this year. Kleinberger hit .250 last year in partial playing time, driving in 10 runs and scoring nine. She also had a successful, albeit short, season in the rotation, where she started four games on the mound and pitched two complete games to finish 3-0 with a 1.75 ERA.
This group of sophomores has the potential to push the team to a NESCAC championship and deep into the NCAA Tournament. Four of the five batted above .300 last year, and their combined pitching record was 10-3 with a sub-2.00 ERA. They are also extremely versatile defensively, with all except Lopez likely to see time at different positions.
"All the sophomores are being asked to do a lot more in being asked to take on more than one position," Milligan said.
The bond formed throughout their stellar freshman season functions both to foster team chemistry and to keep the level of play high.
"The great thing about the sophomores is that we get along so well, so all of our competition is friendly," Bailey said. "But at the same time we do offer each other a push, and we're not afraid to say to each other, 'Hey, pick it up a little bit.'"
