The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Softball 2001-02 Season Preview
11/21/2001 | Softball
There is no "I" in softball, and Ole Miss head coach Candi Letts doesn't plan on adding the extra letter to the word this year. Her Rebel softball team looks to bounce back in 2002, and do so as a unified team.
"There's going to be a real team emphasis," said Letts, who enters her fourth year at the helm. "We'll be so young, everyone will get a chance to play. We'll have more role players with everyone contributing at game time."
The 2001 season saw Ole Miss jump out to a solid start - 10-9 through 19 games - but win only three of its final 26 games en route to an 18-40 final mark. Despite a 2.90 staff ERA and a .957 team fielding percentage, the Rebels struggled offensively, hitting only .219 as a team and .191 in Southeastern Conference play.
The Rebels return only three position starters and eight letterwinners from that squad as they look to reverse last year's woes with a revamped lineup.
"Last season wasn't what we expected," Letts said. "This season, we have seven new players, and it's going to be fun. With all these new players, we'll have new attitudes, personalities and outlooks. I think the newcomers are looking forward to seeing what they can contribute."
Joining the ensemble of new faces are some veteran leaders. Rightfielder Jessica Hamilton enters her fourth season in Oxford and is the top returning hitter on the 2002 team. After battling injuries her first two seasons, Hamilton stayed relatively healthy and played her first full season a year ago, finishing second on the team in hitting with a .260 average and posting the highest on-base percentage at .364. The Nashville native boasts a .283 career average.
Behind the plate, Phyllis Manley brings experience and leadership, having split time at catcher the past two seasons. The junior from Southaven, Miss., threw out five base runners a year ago while collecting eight pickoffs, second most in the SEC.
"Phyllis is a seasoned veteran catcher," Letts said. "I expect Phyllis to be our leader this year. She is very vocal and has a `take charge' attitude."
The pitching staff loses its leader in Jennifer Hughes, who finished with Ole Miss' lowest career ERA at 1.95, but returns junior righthander Lindsay Price. Last season, Price maintained a 3.25 ERA while raising her win total to five. She also notched her first two career shutouts, including a two-hitter against conference foe Kentucky.
"I think Price could put it all together this year," Letts said. "She has all the tools necessary to be an All-SEC pitcher. She just needs to work on the mental aspect of the game."
Desiree Layman showed flashes of brilliance in her freshman campaign with Ole Miss. The only Rebel to start every game, Layman spent last season's first half batting around .300, before hitting a slump down the stretch. The sophomore infielder connected on a team-high two home runs and was among the leaders in RBI with 15. After settling in at second base a year ago, Layman takes over as the team's starting shortstop for the upcoming season.
Sophomores Britte Hardy and Jenny Cox strengthened the Rebels' bench in 2001, and look to compete for starting jobs this year. Hardy switched from the track team to softball just weeks prior to the season's start and provided the team with outfield depth and great speed on the basepaths. After earning the majority of her 2001 starts at designated player, Hardy will man left field for the Rebels this year
The versatile Cox moved between right field and third base in her rookie campaign. This season, she expects to play into the mix in right field.
"Britte and Jenny have some experience, and they'll know what it takes to vie for a starting position," Letts said. "They're definitely willing to work hard. They know what they have to do."
Junior Leslie Day equips the bullpen with another righthander. She was 1-2 with a 3.32 ERA in limited action a year ago. Also, hard-working junior Julie Baumann brings infield depth to the roster.
Challenging these returnees for starting positions is a talented corp of newcomers, led by freshman Nicole Alger. A native of Tulsa, Okla., Alger set state records for highest batting average (.605) and slugging percentage (.842) last year. She will be in the starting lineup at either third or first base, in addition to providing an extra arm in the bullpen.
"I think Alger has a great shot at All-SEC," Letts said. "She has tremendous all-around talent. Simply put, she can get it done."
Alger, along with freshman DeDe Justice and sophomore transfer Andrea Brahs, address a major need for Rebel softball - the home run. Ole Miss was last in the SEC in homers a year ago with seven, and only once has a Rebel player hit more than three in a season.
"Power hitting is an area where we needed to improve," Letts said. "We've added some big home run hitters. We have three players that are legitimate long ball hitters."
Justice, one of four new players from the state of Florida, ripped seven homers to go with a .347 average as a senior at Vero Beach High School, and will see playing time at designated player and catcher. Brahs hit .342 with 39 RBI last year at Indian River Community College in Ft. Pierce, Fla., and will start at first base or DP.
Also coming to Oxford via IRCC is sophomore Becky Testin, who was an all-conference selection in 2001 with a .408 average and 48 stolen bases. She is a talented utility player who could see action all over the diamond, specifically at third.
Freshman Megan Kozar from Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., was a three-time all-conference selection during her prep days and will start at second base for the Rebels this year.
On the mound, freshman RHP Lindsey Whatley brings a career ERA of 1.14 with an 82-34 record and 893 strikeouts at Huntsville High School in Alabama.
Outfielder Brooke Turner was one of the top players in the state of Mississippi last year, leading Southaven High School to a state championship. After a strong fall season, Turner will be Ole Miss' starting centerfielder.
"I think all the newcomers will have major impacts," Letts said. "They all bring strengths that we need.
"This year we have more athletes, and I believe more depth than we've had in the past."
