Softball Captains Announced

STANDISH, ME - Saint Joseph's College Softball Head Coach Jamie Smyth '92, entering his 13th season, has announced his captains for the 2010 season.

Seniors Liddy van der Linden (Worcester, MA), Christy Wezowicz (Granville, MA), Anna Willis (Gorham, ME) and Jillian Kimball(Albany Township, ME) will share the roles associated with captaincy this spring. Wezowicz and van der Linden also served as captains last season.

van der Linden, the Monks' starting shortstop for three seasons, will again assume the most important infield position in 2010. As a junior, she posted her finest all-around season with a .315 average, 9 doubles, 33 RBI's and just 4 errors in 169 total chances as the SJC infield anchor. A .342 (126-368) career hitter, van der Linden will creep her way into the SJC career record books in many statistical categories with another excellent season.

Wezowicz, one of the Monks' top pitchers, went 8-2 with a 2.41 earned run average last spring. She pitched particularly well in the GNAC playoffs and earned All-Tournament honors. Wezowicz makes few mistakes as a pitcher and has proven to be one of the team's toughest competitors in the circle.

Willis will move to center field this spring to fill the position vacated by departed senior Alysn Ludwig '09. The fleet-afoot outfielder hit a career-best .363 (49-135) with 28 runs and 9 steals last season as one of the Monks' primary table-setters. One of the fastest players and best defensive outfielders in the conference, look for Willisto close out her career with her finest season yet. She also garnered All-Tournament honors last year.

Kimball returns as the starting second baseman for the Royal Blue after making just a pair of miscues in 104 chances at the position as a junior. Although she had a somewhat disappointing 2009 season, look for Kimball to rebound and post numbers closer to her 2008 stat line, when she hit .392 (51-130) with 11 doubles and 46 RBI's.

Saint Joseph's will open the 2010 campaign with a trip to Fort Myers, Florida - March 7-14 - where the Monks will play in the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic for the 10th consecutive season.