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Softball struggles in ‘08
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Also by Michael Bleach:
- Injuries to pitchers Olivarez, Vanevenhoven doom Badgers in late innings (May 5, 2008)
- Seniors set for home finale (May 2, 2008)
- UW splits doubleheader with OSU (April 28, 2008)
- Badger bats awaken in wins (April 24, 2008)
- UW takes on in-state rivals (April 23, 2008)
Related Stories:
- Softball team looking to break losing streak (March 7, 2003)
- Softball notches program's best season (May 6, 2002)
- Van Emburgh in, Gallagher out (July 7, 2005)
- Softball needs to erase errors on road trip (April 11, 2002)
- Softball season filled with ups and downs (May 7, 2003)
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by Michael Bleach
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Wisconsin’s softball team was swept by border-rival Minnesota last weekend to put the finishing touches on one of the most disappointing seasons in the program’s history.
UW finished with a final record of 15-40, including a last place finish in the Big Ten with a 3-17 record. The 40 losses are the most in program history, and it marks the first time the Badgers have finished 11th in the Big Ten.
UW faced difficulties from the start when senior Katie Hnatyk — the team’s leader in home runs and RBI’s in 2007 — chose not to play her final season for the Badgers. Midseason departures by junior Tara Hiteman and pitching coach Kim Martin also put a damper on the second half of the season.
Finding a way to score runs was a battle every game for UW, and the Badgers finished last in the Big Ten in batting average and next-to last in runs scored. Contributing to UW’s offensive struggles was a Big Ten low .316 slugging percentage and a UW record 385 strikeouts. The Badgers also failed to produce a .300 hitter for the first time in four years.
Seniors Lynn Anderson and Joey Daniels were two of the few bright spots on offense for UW. Anderson led the Badgers with nine home runs, and Daniels led UW in eight different offensive categories, including batting average and on-base percentage.
Inconsistent pitching was a thorn in the side all year for the Badgers, and the team’s penchant for giving up runs late in the game cost them time and time again. Junior Leah Vanevenhoven and sophomore Letty Olivarez were the leading pitchers for the Badgers, though freshmen Kristyn Hansen was called upon for several spot starts or mop-up duty. UW was 10th in the Big Ten with a 4.48 ERA and ninth in the conference with 39 home runs given up.
Hansen showed her potential for next season, when she threw a complete game shutout April 6 against Indiana for the Badgers’ only shutout of the year. Vanevenhoven and Olivarez both proved they could dominate for stretches, but neither was able to put together an extended run of impressive pitching.
Although there were few highlights this season, the Badgers did manage to record a three game winning streak against Northwestern State, UC-Davis and Cal Poly in the mid-February. On the flip side, however, UW also posted two different six game losing streaks.
In the three years of head coach Chandelle Schulte’s tenure, the Badgers have finished 10th, ninth and 11th, respectively. UW has never qualified for the Big Ten postseason tournament under Schulte.
The Badgers finished their season with a 14-4 loss to Minnesota that ended in five innings via the “mercy rule.” It was a fitting end for a team that struggled with both pitching and hitting all year and perhaps showed it is time to shake things up with the UW softball program.
Anonymous (May 6, 2008 @ 8:15am):
It starts at the top. Live ins shouldn't be Directors of Softball operations.It's a joke and a joke in the softball community. It is time to go a different direction.
Anonymous (May 6, 2008 @ 12:45pm):
the way the head coach handles that team is a joke. this is a big ten university, and finishing 10th, 9th, and 11th in three years as head coach is not acceptable. Watching those games, these girls are a lot better than 15-40, but never had the positive reinforcement from their coaching staff. I think its time to clean house and bring in someone with a better attitude. this is the university of wisconsin, our tradition for athletics is too strong to let this go on for another year.
Anonymous (May 7, 2008 @ 6:56pm):
... maybe Schulte should be more concerned about winning the game (or at least not being run-ruled) instead of worrying about the parents and fans in the stands. Alvarez was a great coach because he was focused on the team... and more importantly the game. He was in a stadium of 88,000 fans that didn't agree with his every move, and he made the football program what it is today. Schulte can't even handle 100 fans. Pfff... what a joke.
Anonymous (May 9, 2008 @ 1:12pm):
anyone know where kim martin is going to coach? she was a good asset to the team.
Anonymous (May 14, 2008 @ 9:00pm):
Question...Is Schulte just a poor recruiter or a destroyer of talent? Any player who had managed to produce under Schulte was recruited before her time and spent at least one year under Gallagher(sp?)Polito, Hnatyk, Daniels and somewhat Brock...something to ponder!
Anonymous (May 15, 2008 @ 2:12pm):
It's time for a change. Players don't nee to like their coach, but they need to respect their coach. Schulte's players do not respect her. Many coaches will talk about breaking down athletes and then rebuilding them stronger and better. Schulte does all breaking down and no building. She broke the spirit this year's team. Her players also can't consistently hit rise balls or change ups because of the way she teaches hitting. See 385 stikeouts on the season.
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