Countdown To 2010 Softball Season

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

New Uniforms For The Griffs?

There's a rumor going around that the Canisius Softball team will have new uniforms for the 2010 season...ok, I'm starting the rumor! I know though that a lot of teams across the nation are switching to Adidas uniforms (including St. Bonaventure), and the Griffs did not wear uniforms this fall season (just tees and shorts), so who knows?
I have to talk about something in late December!

Some Canisius Uniforms From Past Years

Current Uniform

Mallory Holtman

I'm sure most of you have seen this before, but what you may not know is that Canisius coach Mike Rappl once recruited Mallory, and offered her a scholarship. She decided to stay close to home...


*Click button on player for full screen*

Kenmore's Gerace Leads Canisius Into NCAA Tournament

It's the middle of December, Canisius is on winter break and no one is playing any softball, so here's one from the archives courtesy of the Tonawanda News. It's about Griffs' star Jamie Gerace closing out her career and about to head to the NCAA Tournament against Virginia Tech and...Angela Tincher!

BUFFALO — Pity Jamie Gerace. After four hard years working toward her history degree, the Kenmore native can’t take part in Canisius College’s graduation festivities Saturday.

“Most people, I think, would rather avoid commencement,” Gerace joked Wednesday. “It’s a four-hour event where you say goodbye to everybody. I can say goodbye today.”

Even a girl who can gab like Gerace doesn’t need four hours to do that.

Gerace has more important things on her agenda, anyway. She and her Golden Griffins softball teammates are returning to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in Gerace’s four years, having charged through last weekend’s Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships for the program’s 10th title since 1993.

Canisius will open against Virginia Tech, the No. 16 seed in the tournament, at 5 p.m. Friday in Columbus, Ohio. The Griffs originally thought they’d meet host Ohio State in the first game of the double-elimination regional, but the schedule was modified after the NCAA admitted to making a clerical error.

Gerace, a two-time Western New York player of the year for Kenmore West, is hitting .280 this season, fourth-best on the team. She leads the Griffs in walks with 28 and her 33 runs scored rank second on the squad behind North Tonawanda graduate Katie Miranto, who set a school record with 44.

“She’s playing first base this year as well as anybody we’ve ever had,” said coach Mike Rappl, who’s in his 28th season. “She’s really done a good job handling that position, whether it’s fielding bunts or getting back for pick-offs. Also, being a team leader in the infield, she’s got all the cut-offs coming in and she goes and settles the pitchers down in key spots.”

Gerace was a shortstop prior to shoulder surgery after her freshman season. Rehabbing her shoulder and switching positions delayed Gerace’s development, Rappl said, and affected her confidence up until the early part of this season.

“There’s growing pains that come with adjusting to college,” Rappl said. “And an injury just compounds that.”

“I was stressing out over little stuff,” Gerace said. “Coach likes to read to us from this book (“The Mind Gym”) and when he did that, it really hit me dead on. The book is kind of like a sports version of “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff.” ”

As Gerace gained confidence, so did her teammates. Canisius has won eight in a row and 17 of its last 19 as Gerace has emerged as the team’s most vocal presence.

“She’s a great leader,” Miranto said. “She has a personality that attracts people to her.”

Gerace counts Ken West assistant Joe Catalano among her greatest influences, and hopes to soon get into coaching. But once the tournament is over, she’s looking forward to some down time.

“Softball has consumed my life,” she said. “My family lives seven minutes away and I barely have time to go see them. I’m looking forward to just hanging and not having any responsibilities.”

PS: Angela Tincher no hit the Griffs in that game! Then the next year she did it to Team USA!

Buffalo Bulls Softball Fan Site Changed

We've decided we like the blogger format best, so you will find the UB page from now on here:

http://buffalobullssoftball.blogspot.com/

It will also be found in the blog roll on the right hand side of this site.
All the Buffalo posts have been exported there.

2010 Syracuse Softball Schedule

The Orange will be hosting Buffalo for a doubleheader on March 24, and will be at the Demske Sports Complex for two against the Griffs on May 4.

http://www.suathletics.com/schedule.aspx?path=softball

Syracuse pitcher Jenna Caira (Richmond Hill, Ontario)

Michelle DelPrince

One of the players to watch the next two years is ECIC 1 First Teamer Michelle DelPrince. Michelle is in her junior year at Lancaster High. She also plays for a very talented New Era Diamond Girls team. Her positions are 3rd base and outfield. Watching Michelle play at last year's Aunt Rosie's tournament I noticed that she has all the tools: she's fast, has a good arm, a good bat. The one play she made that I noticed was a slide into 3rd base, and if I recall she was out but her slide was so hard that the third baseman did not enjoy making the play. Here's a view of Michelle, click the button on the player for full screen:

Let It Snow

Before Lake Effect

After Lake Effect

What does this have to do with softball?
The first big storm means softball season is just around the corner!
And to the new California girls on the team, this is a very rare event around here.




Right!

Griffs Announce Val Nappo Signing

"Valorie is the type of player any coach would be happy to have on their team," (Coach Mike)Rappl said. "She has a true love and understanding of the game, along with the offensive and defensive skills to play at the Division I level. She is a fierce competitor with a slick glove and a constant bat, but she can also hit for power."

CLICK TO READ MORE

Buffalo Player Profiles

The Buffalo Softball player profiles are being posted, and will be completed tonight.
Go here:

http://buffalosoftball.goldengriffinssoftball.com/home

Canisius Softball All-Time Records

Batting (Season)
-----------------

Average: .500 Debbie Cowell (1987)

Hits: 70 Jenny Maheu (2008)
Katie Miranto (2008)

Runs: 54 Katie Miranto (2008)

RBIs: 47 Colleen Sandor (1985)

Doubles: 22 Diana Calandra (2000)

Triples: 9 Jody Tassone (1995)

Homers: 10 Jess Martin (2005)

Stolen Bases: 40 Lauren Hope (2008)

Slugging %: .800 Debbie Cowell (1987)

Walks: 28 Sandy Stringfellow (1986)
Jamie Gerace (2007)

Sacrifice Hits: 17 Tricia Andres (1994)

Hits By Pitch: 9 Beth Enk (2004)

Batting (Career)
----------------

Average: .448 Meg Thompson (1988-91)

Hits: 227 Katie Miranto (2005-08)

Runs: 161 Katie Miranto (2005-08)

RBIs: 144 Meg Thompson (1988-91)

Doubles: 46 Jody Tassone (1993-96)

Triples: 26 Jody Tassone (1993-96)

Homers: 19 Jess Martin (2005-07)

Stolen Bases: 61 Lauren Hope (2008-Present)

Sacrifice Hits: 49 Tricia Andres (1992-94)

Pitching (Season)
------------------

Wins: 21 Veronica Maher (2000)

Saves: 15 Mallory Aldred *

Complete Games: 20 Michelle Corrigan (1992)
Kristin Spak (1995)

Strikeouts: 238 Andrea Bunten (2004)

ERA: 0.57 Michelle Corrigan (1993)

Appearances: 41 Mallory Aldred (2008)

Shutouts: 12 Kristin Spak (1995)

No Hitters: 2 Michelle Corrigan (1994)
Natalie Kelterborn (1994)
Andrea Bunten (2004)

Starts: 29 Veronica Maher (2000)
Juliette Bowers (2008)

* NCAA Division 1 Record

Pitching (Career)
------------------

Wins: 74 Michelle Corrigan (1991-94)

Saves: 21 Mallory Aldred (2006-09)

Complete Games: 74 Michelle Corrigan (1991-94)

Strikeouts: 663 Andrea Bunten (2002-05)

ERA: 0.84 Michelle Corrigan (1991-94)

Appearances: 113 Genevieve Garcia (1999-02)
Lindsay Morris (2004-08)

Shutouts: 31 Michelle Corrigan (1991-94)

No Hitters: 5 Michelle Corrigan (1991-94)

Starts: 97 Michelle Corrigan (1991-94)

Andrea Bunten

Is The Rest Of The Big 4 Catching Up To Canisius?

Our 4 Division 1 softball teams are preparing for the upcoming season. How do they stack up against one another?

Canisius, Buffalo, Niagara, and St. Bonaventure comprise what is unofficially known as the "Big 4". Historically, Canisius has dominated play, as noted by the Griffs' all-time record vs. these schools:

vs. Buffalo 23-15
vs. Niagara 81-18-1
vs. St. Bona 47-11

Last season wasn't all that much different. The Griffs and Buffalo split four games; the Bulls winning their two in extra innings with both winning runs coming off very strange bounces of the ball.
Niagara showed well splitting at Canisius; in fact they were two outs away from sweeping the Griffs. But Canisius took two of three from the Purple Eagles in the MAAC Tournament, including a 9-0 victory in the Championship game.
St. Bonaventure was overwhelmed in their two games at Canisus.

But...
I think things are beginning to change.

Niagara has been yipping at the Griffs' heels the past few seasons, and have a very talented team. They just need to get over the MAAC hump. I was impressed by their determination when they visited the Demske last April for that doubleheader. And frankly, they were the better team for 13 innings until the Griffs exploded in the bottom of the 7th of the second game to save their season.
I think all they need is to taste success at the tournament level. The Griffs' experience showed in the MAAC Championship game. Niagara returns a talented team this season and may get their chance to gain that experience.

Buffalo had a Division 1 team in the olden days, but only returned at the beginning of this decade and have had some tough seasons. Last year, they had a lot of difficulty in MAC play, including at home. But changes are happening fast. Coach Jennifer Teague has had what I believe are two very good recruiting seasons. I was very impressed by her new players this fall. I expect the Bulls to make the MAC Tournament this year, and for years to come. But, the rumors going around are that the Bulls are looking to move one day to the Big East Conference. Or possibly the Atlantic 10. At any rate, there's no reason why the Bulls shouldn't be a dominant force in the MAC.

St. Bonaventure plays in a difficult conference, which includes schools such as powerful UMass, Charlotte, and Fordham. They have done well in the past, but I think they are gearing up to compete with these schools on a more regular basis. Coach Threehouse just finished recruiting what I believe are going to be key components in this upgrade. Especially pitcher Jen Sansano, who was heavily recruited. He's already projecting her to be the best pitcher in Bonnies history; in fact he goes so far as to speculate if she may end up as the greatest pitcher in Atlantic 10 history! He's coached against Brandice Balschmiter, so I guess he knows what he's talking about!
I was impressed by the Bonnies in fall ball---they all seemed to be on the same page as they say.

The game of College Softball is evolving so fast. If you just started watching now, you don't know. The game has exploded amongst girls all over the country, and the young women who make it to Division 1 were all outstanding youth players. There are more players to go around, so I see a shift coming in the Big 4. Which is good for Western New York Softball fans. Canisius blazed the trail, the others are catching up. I like and root for the other three teams, except when they play Canisius!

Come out and watch them play. They're getting better every year.

Jen Sansano signing National Letter Of Intent