By:Patrick Hall Friday, 3 February, 2006

The Pratt Community College Women’s Softball Team is poised to move back to the top of the Jayhawk Conference this year behind a more powerful offensive lineup and a solid two person pitching rotation.

“We’ll score more this year,” is Head Coach Ron Hill’s succinct summary of some new found offensive prowess.

“We’ve generally had pretty strong pitching and defense,” said Hill, “so our success often depends on what we do at the plate. And this year we’ll hit.”

With two freshmen bringing some heat from the mound, Pratt shouldn’t have any trouble maintaining their pitching strength. Alicia Neuschwanger (Littleton, CO) and Giselle Guzman (Mexico City, Mexico) will handle the bulk of the pitching assignments, with Melissa Bockhorn (Salina) in relief.

Handling catching duties will be potential All-Conference standout sophomore Courtney Bersuch.

Anchoring the infield at shortstop is another potential All-Conference player, freshman Jordan Chaney from Tooele, Utah. And taking her throws at first is Pratt’s foremost offensive weapon, Whitney Coleman, a sophomore out of Douglas.

Despite all the encouraging signs from the field of play, Coach Hill believes his greatest asset this year may well be in the dugout and off the field. “Our team camaraderie may well be the critical factor in our success this year,” said Hill. “We’ve made an effort to be close, and with the number of games we play we will need that unity.”