The 2012 softball season will be one unlike all that have come before it in 21-year history of Simon Fraser University softball.  It will be a year of new challenges that come with the University’s move from the NAIA into the NCAA.

For the last 21 seasons SFU has competed as a member of the NAIA and in each last 14 seasons, SFU has finished its year at the NAIA National Championships. During tats time, SFU finished in the top 10 at each Championships that also included four National Titles and three National runner-up finishes.

The newest chapter in the history of the storied SFU softball team begins this Friday in Las Vegas, NV against the Academy of Art University.

“We are all very excited with the new challenges that not only come with a new league but for us, in playing in one of division II’s toughest conferences,” said Coach Renney on the move to the NCAA. “In a word, the Great Northwest Athletic Conference has been about ‘hitting’ so for those who like to see offence in the game, you will have come to the right place.”

For Coach Renney, 2012 will inevitably be the year he breaks through the 500 win threshold, which will be a milestone no other coach in SFU’s history has achieved in any other team sports. Going into the season Coach Renney has a 0.725 career winning percentage with 494 wins to 187 losses.

While SFU continues to progress through the official transition to the NCAA and is now in its provisional year, and as a provisional school, is not eligible for NCAA Championship play. 

“Going into each of the last several years I would be able to tell our athletes that there was no guarantee of post season play even though we had a pretty good steak going, all the same each year post season was not a given but something that had to be earned; well this year ironically we go into it without post season goals, rather will look to wrap up the careers of four outstanding seniors and begin to build a new foundation in the NCAA,” continued Renney.

With only two graduating seniors from the 2011 team that placed ninth at NAIA Nationals the Clan of 2012 should be geared to start SFU softball’s new chapter as an NCAA program – the first for a non-Canadian school.

“With eight starters from 2011 we will not lack experience as well with ten upper classmen we should have many vets to share the leadership responsibilities that fell primarily on one or two sets of shoulders last year,” said Renney, 

A breakdown by Class:

Seniors:

The Clan will have four seniors in the line-up, each wrapping up their careers that started as freshmen in the program.

Megan Durrant, a Richmond, BC product is a fifth year senior having red-shirted in her junior year and is geared up to finish her career on a high note.  Megan is expected to be an everyday player, be it in the role of the designated player or in the outfield. Although throughout her career she has seen game and practice time in nearly all positions.

“Megan is one of our hardest workers and certainly leads by example,” said Coach Renney.  “I expect Megan to see her fair share of at bats and with that be a key contributor to our team offence, but equally important to be a key leader off the field as one of our team Captains.”

The next three seniors all arrived together and will finish their collegiate careers together.

Behind the plate will be Burnaby, BC native, Brittany Ribeiro who came into her own in her junior year when she took over the catching duties passed along to her by a graduating senior; prior to that she saw limited game action but honed her skills in preparation for her shot which she made the most of.

”Britt stepped in and filled some big shoes last year and did a great job and with her leadership behind the plate and her ability to get the most out of our pitchers, I am looking forward to watching her perform in this her final year,” said Renney.

Kesley Haberl also hails from Burnaby, BC and has been without a doubt, one of the team’s offensive leaders for the past two seasons and is expected to continue in this role as a power hitting first base for the Clan.

“Kelsey has always had great plate presence and has the stats to go with it, as illustrated by her selection to Team Canada who she helped to a silver medal at the Pan Am Game last fall.  Often overlooked is Kelsey’s outstanding defensive play at first base, as she often turns the occasional errand throw in the dirt into a clean dig and routine out. Look for Kelsey to again be a key to our offensive numbers,” said Renney.

Leah Riske, who calls Cloverdale, BC home, will be going into her third year as the team’s regular short stop; a position she has shone at according to Coach Renney.

“Leah has all the qualities you look for in a short stop; she gets a quick jump on the ball, has excellent range, isn’t afraid to leave her feet and has an outstanding quick release.  She also is amongst our team’s leaders in the power category having led the team in home runs in each of the last two seasons. If anything I hope and expect Leah to wrap up her career playing the game as she has the past two years.”

Juniors:

The Clan have six juniors on the roster, all of which are expected to be key contributors to the team in 2012.

Two juniors transfer Lauren Kolenko and walk-on wonder, Cara Lukawesky will share mound duties.

Lauren a North Vancouver native has returned home after playing two years in the states, one at Pearce College in Washington State and most recently in Texas at Odessa College.

“Lauren has some work to do to make the transition to the style of play in our Conference and will rely on a myriad of off speed pitches to keep opposition batters off balance.”

Cara Lukawesky from Coquitlam, BC,   is projected to again be a leader for the Clan on the mound where she led all SFU pitchers in most pitching categories as the Clan’s number one pitcher in 2011.  Renney is very high on the contributions made by a pitcher who joined the clan as a walk on three years ago.

 “Cara has improved in leaps and bounds in her first two years and I expect with more confidence and her continued investment in her game, she will only continue to get better.” 

In 2011 Cara was fourth in ERA in the GNAC and third with 16 wins demonstrating her ability to play at this level.

Behind Cara at second base will be Vancouver’s own Lauren Mew, who will return to her starting position at second where she was outstanding is 2011.

“Lauren has great hands and good range, making her skillset ideal for second base – she has yet to break though offensively but has shown good promise and flashes of brilliance,” said Renney.  “I am confident that with another year under her belt, she is on the verge of coming into her own at the plate.”

Our next three juniors hail from central Canada, two from Ontario and one from Quebec.

Trisha Bouchard a native of Montreal, is a fourth year junior having redshirted earlier in her career and has used this extra year of development to better prepare her for her new role of captaining the outfield by moving to centre field.

Renney said of Bouchard, “Trisha is a high energy athlete and with exceptional speed and jump on the ball which will suit her well for center field.  Offensively, Trisha also has great bat speed and with line drive home run power but must get more consistent to play to her ability.”

The first of two Pickering, Ontario athletes is Rosie Murphy who has a great arm and will be earmarked to play right field for the Clan.

“Rosie stepped up her game and came into her own at the end of last year and may have been our best performer both offensively and defensively over the last month of the season – I am looking forward to her picking u p where she left off,” said Renney.

Retuning starter at third base will be the second half of our Pickering duo, Carly LePoutre who slotted in as the projected Clan lead-off hitter and starter at third base; both roles she played last year. 

“Carly as a left handed slapper, will challenge many infields with her speed and execution.  In 2011 she did a great job moving to the lead off spot and is expected to remain there for the coming year.”

Sophomores:

The sophomore class with be the Clan’s smallest group with only two athletes going into their second year; Sammie Olexa from North Delta, BC  and Kelsie Hawkins from Vicoria, BC.

Kelsie Hawkins was a midseason transfer to the Clan last year, thinking she would put in a leisurely year focusing on her studies at Camosun College on Vancouver Island where she was not playing ball, when she got the call from Coach Renney.

“It was a unique situation for us, as we found ourselves in need of some pitching depth midway through the fall and knowing that Kelsie was available, it was an easy call to make,” said Renney.  “She brings energy and enthusiasm to our team and is fast developing into a quality pitcher.”

Sammie Olexa from North Delta, BC will provide the Clan with both infield depth and offensive potential in this her second year with the team.

“Sammie has the potential to develop into a consistent power threat and with the work she has put in during the offseason has reason to expect to earn more offensive opportunities this coming year.”

Freshmen:

The freshmen class of 2011-12 is made up on four athletes all of which came from the very successful Surrey Storm organization.

While all four freshmen played for Surrey Storm, two hail from Langley, BC while one is from Delta, BC and the fourth is from White Rock, BC.

Kaitlyn, a catcher, will be in a back up role to senior Brittany Ribeiro and will be groomed for the opportunity take on the starters role in her second year.

“Kaitlyn was recruited for her potential which she has already shown at times this past fall and while she like all freshmen has a steep learning curve, I am confident she has what it takes,” said Renney.

Danielle Raison may start her career as the Clan’s jack of all trades with her ability to jump into a number of infield positions.  While primarily a short stop, Coach Renney sees her role a diverse.

“Danielle’s defensive skills have her ready to play at the college level so she could prove to be invaluable as a back up to several infield positions and if called upon will more than measure up.”

Olivia will have the unenviable role of playing behind one of the best first bases in the Conference in senior Kesley Haberl, however with that is an opportunity to learn from one of the best to better prepare her for the starting opportunity in her second year.

“Olivia will unfortunately not be ready to start the year in any playing capacity as she will be recovering from a broken foot but when she is ready, I am expecting her to get her chances,” said Renney.  “She has already shown surprising power if she gets her pitch.”

The last of the freshmen, a pitcher, is a member of the British national team by virtue of her parent’s place of birth even though she is a product of the BC softball organization.

Carling Hare comes to the Clan having gained invaluable experience this past summer, where she competed against some of the top teams in the World in Oklahoma City as a member of Team Great Britain.

“I am excited about Carlings potential,” Renney said. “She has some good fundamentals and a solid foundation that has her on a path to becoming a quality college pitcher.”

Season outlook:

The Clan have quickly gone from a young team to a very experienced squad with nine upper classmen.

Offensively, SFU will rely on line drives and extra base potential with some good team speed to add to the mix.  If anything, the Clan’s power numbers should be significantly improved upon this year.

The defence was somewhat erratic last year for the first half of the season but settled down for the last quarter of our season and became one of the team’s strengths.

With so many returning players, it should be a strength once again.

Rebiero will see the bulk of the duties behind the plate while Cameron will also get a taste from time to time.

Lukawesky is also expected to be the Clan’s workhorse on the mound, with plenty of depth behind her to share the load.

“Overall, without the opportunity to play in the post season due to our provisional status in the NCAA, we are still aiming at being in the thick of things in our conference play,” said Renney on his outlook for the 2012 season.  “The GNAC is however a tough conference so we will certainly have our work cut out for us.”

This will also be a year of firsts for Clan Softball and the start of the NCAA record book as each of our stats will be that of the first Non-American softball team in the prestigious NCAA – the first hit, run, win will also be key for our team and the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the program that had so much success in the NAIA during its first 21 years of existence.

Clan softball won four NAIA National Championships and had 15 top ten finishes in the NAIA in a 17 year span.