2005 Mercer Softball Media Guide - Mercer University

6"Tiffany came back this year with a renewedmotivation," said Foti. "She is in great shapeand her speed and left handed bat will be avaluable asset to this team."Earning the starting job in right field will bejunior college transfer Sarah Harding. Hardingwas recognized as an all-region performer atMidland Junior College."If you look at what Sarah has been able toaccomplish at one of the best junior collegesin the country, it's pretty impressive," said theMercer coach. "She has great power numbersand plays sound, fundamental defense. Sheis an impact player that we expect to do bigthings in a Mercer uniform."The remainder of the rotation will be made upof newcomers. Junior college transfer JennyHolland and freshman Meredith Weare will seetime in the circle on a regular basis for theBears.Holland, a sophomore from Bethlehem, Ga., isa hard thrower that is far from being just apower pitcher."Jenny can dominate hitters with her powerbut she also has great movement on her pitchesand throws off-speed as well," Foti said. "Ithink her having a year of junior college experiencewill really help her at this level."W eare will round out the pitching staff andgive Mercer another option to throw at theiropponents."Meredith is a hard thrower that can throw inthe mid-60s," said Foti. "She will be a greatpitcher for us."OutlookWhen talking with coach Foti about his 2005squad, he is confident that this can be the bestteam that he has coached since he has beenat Mercer.S e c t i o n T i t l ePitchingThe pitching staff was undeniably the strengthof the 2004 squad. As good as the hurlerswere a season ago, Foti believes that thisyear’s unit will be even better.Returning is ace pitcher Katie Rosentreter.Rosentreter finished 2004 second in the A-Sunin ERA (1.19), third in strikeouts (215) andthird in wins (21). Her K/BB ratio of 8.6 ledthe conference. Rosentreter’s exploits led to alist of postseason accolades. She was selectedas a first team all-conference performer,named to the A-Sun all-tournament team,selected A-Sun Pitcher of the Week on threeoccasions and was invited to play for Tea mCanada in the World University SoftballChampionship."This is a very exciting group of girls that havethe potential to do great things," said thecoach. "We've had talented individual playershere in the past, but this is the best collectivegroup that I've ever coached. We are faster,more powerful, better defensively and havemore depth than in any other year that I'vebeen here."2005 Preseason A-Sun Poll1. Florida Atlantic2. UCF3. Stetson4. Troy5. Mercer6. Gardner-Webb7. Lipscomb8. Jacksonville9. Georgia State10. Campbell11. Belmont"Katie had a phenomenal season a year ago,"said Foti. "This may sound scary, but she’seven better this year. She has faced some ofthe top competition in the world in the lastyear, and those opportunities have increasedher confidence level and her control of thegame."MercerSoftball