2008 Thunder Season Preview
Published on May 26, 2008 under National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Rockford Thunder News Release
ROCKFORD - With Opening Day 2008 just a week away, the Thunder hopes another year of youthful faces, coupled with poised veterans will be the key to success this season.
In 2007, Rockford was just a couple of hitters away from winning the first championship in team history. General Manager Aaron M. Moore believes the players brought in this season on the offensive side of the ball will greatly improve the team's .227 batting average from a season ago. Rookies Tonya Callahan, Savannah Brown and Beth Boden should make an immediate impact on the offense.
Overview
The 2008 roster is again full of players complete with collegiate and international accolades. Players such as Callahan (finalist for 2008 NCAA Player of the Year) and Stephanie Fischer (No. 1 HR in NCAA) lead another large group of rookies to the field this season. But it's the leadership of several key veteran players, such as Kristen Zaleski and Lindsay Gardner that will lead to the success of the team.
This season should provide a different experience than last season for fans as they look to go a little more on the offensive. With the league's lowest batting average in 2007 and one of the league's best team ERA's, the team knew it was time for an adjustment. The roster and batting order will be deep in talent all season long.
The Pitchers
What turned out to be the strength of the Thunder in 2007 may very easily be the one area of concern in 2008. With a team earned run average of 1.88 last season the pitchers did their part. The pitchers will again be asked to carry a heavy load and Cassidy Scoggins will be asked to carry the biggest, as she will be the one veteran pitcher for the Thunder until July 1 when Serena Settlemier returns to the team from Italy.
Joining Settlemier and Scoggins in the circle this season will be rookie free agents Megan Brown and Allison Kime. Brown pitched for the Michigan Ice in 2007 and made the team at the open tryouts in May and Kime was a 34-game winner this season for the University of Central Florida.
The Catchers
The team has to start all over at the catching position for the second consecutive season after releasing De De Justice and losing Mackenzie Vandergeest to the L.A. County Fire Department. But for the second straight season, the catching position may be one of strengths for the Thunder. Looking to lead a trio of catchers is the team's first round draft pick in the 2008 NPF Senior Draft Brown. Brown comes to the Thunder after a very successful, four-year career at Georgia Tech where she not only starred behind the plate, but hitting as well.
Joining Brown as catchers this season will be rookie free agents Fischer and Victoria Batistelli. Both players possess different strengths, with Fischer being a power hitter and Batistelli providing strength behind the plate.
The Infielders
What was the probably the biggest question mark entering the 2007 season, may very easily be the team's strongest area on the diamond for 2008. The team is returning three starters from last season in Gardner, Audrey Rendon and Jamie Davison. Additionally, the team has re-signed veteran infielder Jessica Williams for the 2008 campaign.
The team will have depth in the infield with the addition of 2008 Draft Picks Boden, Callahan and Sandy Vojik, as well as the free agent signing of University of Illinois product Diller. Boden is a player that can play both middle positions, while Diller and Callahan are both capable of playing the two corner infield positions. At certain points in the season, Fischer may also be asked to play first base for the Thunder.
The Outfielders
Although the depth of the outfield may not be as strong as that of the infield, their experience will most helpful in 2008. Veterans Zaleski, Amanda Williams and Erin Evans are each back for the second season in Rockford, so it won't take much time for these players to get acquainted. With Zaleski and Williams manning leftfield and centerfield, respectively, opposing teams are forced to play it safe on the bases because of the strength and accuracy of their arms
Outside of these three players, the players that may see the most time in the outfield this season will be Boden and Vojik. Both players played the outfield in college and have the ability to do the same on the professional level.
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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
