Quick Facts UNIVERSITY INFORMATION Location:... DeKalb, Ill. Founded:... 1895 Enrollment:... 25,254 Nickname:... Huskies Colors:... Cardinal and Black President:... Dr. John Peters Alma Mater:... John Carroll, 1967 Associate V.P./Director of Athletics:... Dr. Jim Phillips Alma Mater:... Illinois, 1990 Athletic Faculty Representative:... Jan Rintala Affiliation:... NCAA Division I Conference:... Mid-American Home Facility (Capacity):...Mary M. Bell Field (600) 2008 Roster Table Of Contents HUSKIE QUICK FACTS/ROSTER Table of Contents/Quick Facts...1 2008 Roster...2 Radio/TV Roster...3 2008 Outlook/Schedule...4-5 Mary M. Bell Field...6 MEET THE HUSKIES Coaching Staff...8-9 Players...10-17 MAC Composite Schedule...18 OPPONENT/2007 IN REVIEW Opponent Quick Facts...20-23 2007 Stats...26 MAC In Review...27-28 HISTORY First Year of Softball:... 1959 All-Time Record:... 892-696-7 Conference Titles:... 1988, 1989, 1990,1996, 1999, 2000 NCAA Regional Appearances:... 1988, 1996 World Series Appearances:... 1988 SOFTBALL STAFF Head Coach:... Lindsay Chouinard (1st Season) Alma Mater:... DePaul, 2003 NIU Record:... First Year Career Record:... First Year :... Megan Ciolli (1st Season) Alma Mater:... Notre Dame, 2005 :... Kara Amundson (1st Season) Alma Mater:... DePaul, 2007 Softball Office Phone:... 815-753-2245 Athletic Trainer:... Adam Falk TEAM INFORMATION 2007 Record:... 22-28 2007 MAC Record:... 10-12/Fourth West 2007 MAC Tournament:... 1-2 Letterwinners Returning/Lost:... 14/3 Starters Returning/Lost... 5/2 Pitchers Returning/Lost... 2/0 Newcomers:... 3 MEDIA RELATIONS Associate A.D./Communications:... Donna Turner Office Phone:... 815-753-9513 Cell Phone:... 815-793-5474 E-Mail:... donnaturner@niu.edu Graduate Assistant/Softball Contact:... Zach Peters Office Phone:... 815-753-9572 Cell Phone:... 815-751-0061 E-Mail:... zpeters@niu.edu Website:... www.niuhuskies.com Mailing Address:... Media Relations 209 Convocation Center 1525 West Lincoln Highway Northern Illinois University DeKalb, IL 60115-2854 HUSKIE HISTORY 1988 World Series Team...30 All-Time Record vs. Opponents...31 Year-By-Year Results...32-42 Year-By-Year Leaders/Last Time It Happened...43 Individual Records...44-45 Team Records...46 NCAA/Conference Honors...47-49 Letterwinners...50-51 MEDIA INFORMATION NIU Media Relations Staff/Media Outlets...52 THIS IS NIU President Dr. John Peters...54 Associate V.P./Director of Athletics Dr. Jim Phillips...55 Northern Illinois University...56-58 Jeffrey and Kimberly Yordon Center...59 Huskie Athletics Points of Pride...60 The 2008 Northern Illinois Softball Media Guide was designed to aid media covering the Huskies. Copies are available to the general public for $10 through the Office of Media Relations. MEDIA GUIDE CREDITS Written, designed and edited by Zach Peters. Cover Design: Joe Summins. Editorial assistance: Donna Turner and NIU Softball. Research and statistical assistance: Seon Brown, Amanda Conway, Nate Rakoczy, Dominic Simoncelli and Mark Skiba. Photography: Scott Walstrom, and NIU Media Relations Archives. Printing: Barnaby, Sycamore, Ill. On the Cover: Seniors Taryn Hagemann, 2007 second team All-MAC selection Krista McPherson, Jenna Mitchell and Michelle Nendza. On the Cover: Sophomore 2007 MAC All-Freshmen honoree Kate Greenough and 2007 first team All- MAC selection Bailey Ouellette. 1
TOP RETURNING PLAYERS Player Pos. Yr. Hometown Kate Greenough P So. Portland, Ore. 2007: MAC All-Freshman Team, 2.99 ERA, 15-13 W-L, 2 SV, 22 CG, 3 SHO, 192.2 IP, 109 SO Taryn Hagemann P Sr. Rochelle, Ill. 2007: 13 CG, 1 SHO, 1 SV, 139.2 IP, 70 SO Randi Kreiter C/1B Jr. Deerfield, Ill. 2007:.267 AVG, 14 R, 40 H, 11 2B, 5 HR, 29 RBI Krista McPherson IF Sr. Beecher, Ill. 2007: Second-Team All-MAC,.338 AVG, 29 R, 53 H, 10 SB Michelle Nendza IF Sr. Palos Park, Ill. 2007:.262 AVG, 38 H, 9 2B, 3 HR, 28 RBI Bailey Ouellette IF Jr. Beaverton, Ore. 2007: First-Team All-MAC,.246 AVG, 14 R, 31 H, 8 2B, 2 HR, 16 RBI, 4 SB KEY LOSSES Player Pos. Hometown Ellen Stoddard IF Rolling Meadows, Ill. 2007:.279 AVG, 36 H, 8 2B, 2 HR, 21 RBI Kelly Park OF North Aurora, Ill. 2007: Academic All-MAC Team,.241 AVG, 16 R, 33 H, 11 RBI, 10 SB NEWCOMERS Player Pos. Yr. Hometown Andrea Colosimo IF/OF Fr. Orland Park, Ill. Emily Gooding IF/OF Jr. Lismore, Australia Joreigh Landers P Fr. Vernonia, Ore. ROSTER BREAKDOWN Left-Handed Fielders (2): Randi Kreiter, Kate Welsh Right-Handed Fielders (15): Ashley Clement, Katie Colby, Andrea Colosimo, Emily Gooding, Kate Greenough, Taryn Hagemann, Joreigh Landers, Krista McPherson, Jenna Mitchell, Michelle Nendza, Bailey Ouellette, Allie Parker, Jenna Roberts, Krystn Sendejas, Dani Thompson Left-Handed Batters (4): Randi Kreiter, Krista McPherson, Jenna Mitchell, Kate Welsh Right-Handed Batters (13): Ashley Clement, Katie Colby, Andrea Colosimo, Emily Gooding, Kate Greenough, Taryn Hagemann, Joreigh Landers, Michelle Nendza, Bailey Ouellette, Allie Parker, Jenna Roberts, Krystn Sendejas, Dani Thompson 2008 Rosters ALPHABETICAL NO. NAME POS. B/T YEAR HOMETOWN / H.S. / LAST COLLEGE 35 Ashley Clement C/OF R/R Jr. Moline, Ill. / Moline 5 Katie Colby OF R/R Jr. Waukesha, Wis. / West 21 Andrea Colosimo IF/OF R/R Fr. Orland Park, Ill. / Sandburg 24 Emily Gooding IF/OF R/R Jr. Lismore, Australia / Lake Land C.C. 9 Kate Greenough P R/R So. Portland, Ore. / David Douglas 4 Taryn Hagemann P R/R Sr. Rochelle, Ill. / Rochelle 33 Randi Kreiter C/1B L/L Jr. Deerfield, Ill. / Deerfield / Wisconsin 7 Joreigh Landers P R/R Fr. Vernonia, Ore. / Vernonia 99 Krista McPherson IF L/R Sr. Beecher, Ill. / Beecher 18 Jenna Mitchell OF L/R Sr. Matteson, Ill. / Rich South 8 Michelle Nendza IF R/R Sr. Palos Park, Ill. / Lemont Mt. Assisi 14 Bailey Ouellette IF R/R Jr. Beaverton, Ore. / Beaverton 13 Allie Parker C/OF R/R So. Evergreen Park, Ill. / Marist 3 Jenna Roberts IF/OF R/R Jr. Verona, Wis. / West 12 Krystn Sendejas IF/OF R/R So. Galveston, Texas / Ball 22 Dani Thompson IF R/R Jr. Canyon Country, Calif. / Canyon 10 Kate Welsh IF/OF L/L So. Wilmington, Ill. / Bishop McNamara NUMERICAL NO. NAME POS. B/T YEAR HOMETOWN / H.S. / LAST COLLEGE 3 Jenna Roberts IF/OF R/R Jr. Verona, Wis. / West 4 Taryn Hagemann P R/R Sr. Rochelle, Ill. / Rochelle 5 Katie Colby OF R/R Jr. Waukesha, Wis. / West 7 Joreigh Landers P R/R Fr. Vernonia, Ore. / Vernonia 8 Michelle Nendza IF R/R Sr. Palos Park, Ill. / Lemont Mt. Assisi 9 Kate Greenough P R/R So. Portland, Ore / David Douglas 10 Kate Welsh IF/OF L/L So. Wilmington, Ill. / Bishop McNamara 12 Krystn Sendejas IF/OF R/R So. Galveston, Texas / Ball 13 Allie Parker C/OF R/R So. Evergreen, Ill. / Marist 14 Bailey Ouellette IF R/R Jr. Beaverton, Ore / Beaverton 18 Jenna Mitchell OF L/R Sr. Matteson, Ill. / Rich South 21 Andrea Colosimo IF/OF R/R Fr. Orland Park, Ill. / Sandburg 22 Dani Thompson IF R/R Jr. Canyon Country, Calif. / Canyon 24 Emily Gooding IF/OF R/R Jr. Lismore, Australia / Lake Land C.C. 33 Randi Kreiter C/1B L/L Jr. Deerfield, Ill. / Deerfield / Wisconsin 35 Ashley Clement C/OF R/R Jr. Moline, Ill. / Moline 99 Krista McPherson IF L/R Sr. Beecher, Ill. / Beecher COACHING STAFF Head Coach PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Andrea Colosimo Call-uh-SEEM-oh Kate Greenough GREN-oh Taryn Hagemann HAY-guh-man Randi Kreiter CRY-ter Joreigh Landers JOR-ray Krista McPherson Mc-FEAR-son Bailey Ouellette Wall-ETT Krystn Sendejas Sen-DAY-haas Lindsay Chouinard (DePaul, 2003, first year) Megan Ciolli (Notre Dame, 2005, first year) Kara Amundson (DePaul, 2007, first year) 2
2008 TV/Radio 2008 Roster Roster #3 Jenna Roberts Jr., IF/OF, R/R #4 Taryn Hagemann Sr., P, R/R #5 Katie Colby Jr., OF, R/R #7 Joreigh Landers Fr., P, R/R #8 Michelle Nendza Sr., IF, R/R #9 Kate Greenough So., P, R/R #10 Kate Welsh So., IF/OF, L/L #12 Krystn Sendejas So., IF/OF, R/R #13 Allie Parker So., C/OF, R/R #14 Bailey Ouellette Jr., IF, R/R #18 Jenna Mitchell Sr., OF, L/R #21 Andrea Colosimo Fr., IF/OF, R/R #22 Dani Thompson Jr., IF, R/R #24 Emily Gooding Jr., IF/OF, R/R #33 Randi Kreiter Jr., C/IB, L/L #35 Ashley Clement Jr., C/OF, R/R #99 Krista McPherson Sr., IF, L/R Linsday Chouinard Head Coach (1st Season) Megan Ciolli (1st Season) Kara Amundson (1st Season) 3
The energy and enthusiasm surrounding Northern Illinois Softball has continued to develop since the arrival of head coach Lindsay Chouinard last July. The lofty expectations and desire to succeed instilled by the new coaching staff has not only been well received by the Huskie softball players, but put into action over the last seven months. This team has already stepped up and shown that they are willing to work hard on the field and in the classroom to meet their goals, said Chouinard. With a returning core of All-Mid American Conference upperclassmen infielders in Bailey Ouellette (first-team) and Krista McPherson (second-team), what the infield lacks in depth they make up for in experience. In addition, Chouinard expects great things from the pitching staff led by Kate Greenough, who was a MAC All-Freshman team selection in 2007. 2008 Outlook Roster give this team many different looks. Junior slugger Randi Kreiter will see time as the designated hitter and talented newcomers Andrea Colosimo and Emily Gooding could also see time in either the infield or the outfield. While they are both versatile defensively, each of these athletes has the ability to step in and immediately contribute offensively which will allow them to fight for a starting spot, said Chouinard. THE OUTFIELD With great speed and a vast amount of talent across the board, there will be fierce competition for the starting spots in the Huskie outfield. The outfield has tremendous depth and will be a battle of who can produce at the plate, Chouinard said. While the Northern Illinois softball team competed in the MAC tournament the last two seasons, Chouinard is expecting to contend for the title. The hard work and dedication that this group of young women has shown thus far will propel this program to one of the elite in the MAC, Chouinard said. The 2008 season will be the last for seniors Krista McPherson, Michelle Nendza, Taryn Hagemann and Jenna Mitchell and they are showing the resilience and leadership that it will take to catapult this program to the next level, according to Chouinard. This senior class has worked hard everyday and is hungry to win, Chouinard said. This team s success will be a direct reflection of Krista, Michelle, Jenna and Taryn s character and dedication as they have led this team to where it is now. Bailey Ouellette earned a first team All- MAC selection in 2007, collecting 31 hits and a.395 OBP. THE INFIELD The left side of the infield will be anchored by seniors Krista McPherson and Michelle Nendza, the two most experienced infielders on the team. Junior Dani Thompson has shown impressive defensive skills at second base with a strong arm and phenomenal athleticism. Bailey Ouellette will make the switch to first base thanks to her steady glove and consistent offensive output. The infield is led entirely by upperclassmen, Chouinard said. With four starters who can play multiple infield spots, versatility will Junior Jenna Roberts is an impressive athlete who is not only fast but explosive and is expected to anchor the last line of defense, Chouinard said. Also expected to get a starting nod is Andrea Colosimo in right field. Andi is one of the hardest workers on the team. The strides she has made since stepping on campus seven months ago is nothing short of impressive, Chouinard said. While the fight for the left field spot is going to be intense, Emily Gooding of Lismore, Australia comes to NIU after an All-American junior college career. A five tool player with impressive arm strength, Gooding is expected to be an immediate contributor in the top of the Huskie lineup. Senior Jenna Mitchell and sophomore Krysten Sendejas will see significant time in the outfield as well. THE CATCHERS Allie Parker is expected to lead the Huskies from behind the plate in 2008. She has made tremendous strides both offensively and defensively from the first practice this past fall. Allie s improvement is a testament to her intense work ethic and desire to succeed, Chouinard said. Close on Parker s heels, Ashley Clement is pushing for a starting spot behind the plate. Ashley Clement and Allie Parker compete day in and day out for the starting catching spot, Chouinard said. Both have experience from last season and the ability to contribute offensively. THE PITCHING STAFF Kate Greenough will anchor the pitching staff in 2008. A MAC All-Freshman team selection in 2007, her combination of speed and movement gives hitters fits and makes her one of the best pitchers in the MAC. Veteran Taryn Hagemann will bring a wealth of experience and composed demeanor to the mound as well. The final component to the Huskie pitching staff is talented freshman Joreigh Landers, a tremendous athlete who lacks any collegiate experience. With two experienced pitchers and one newcomer, Taryn, Kate and Joreigh are a complete staff, Chouinard said. I expect all three pitchers to make a statement every time they step in the circle. 4
THE SCHEDULE The Huskies will be living out of their suitcases for the first 23 games of the season as they are on the road until April 1 when #6 Northwestern University visits Mary M. Bell Field. Overall, the Huskies are on the road for 40 of their 52 games. Being on the road for the majority of our season will be a challenge, Chouinard said. Adversity makes teams stronger; if we can win on the road with all the complications that it brings, winning becomes an expectation when the cards are in our favor. NIU will start out the season with four tournaments, beginning on February 29 when the Huskies travel to Fort Myers, Fla. for the Florida Gulf Coast 2008 Outlook Roster Kate Greenough s 2007 performance garnered a MAC All-Freshman team selection as she led the Huskies with a 15-13 record and a 2.99 ERA. Tournament for games versus Florida Gulf Coast, St. Francis (Pa.), Mount St. Mary s and Mercer. The final three tournaments will have the Huskies in St. Louis, Mo., Corvallis, Ore., and Iowa City, Iowa on March 8, March 13 and March 22, respectively. In St. Louis, NIU will matchup against Saint Louis, and Evansville. In Oregon, the Huskies will take on Portland State and three PAC-10 preseason top-20 teams in #11 Washington, #18 Oregon State and #20 Oregon. Finally, NIU will go up against Iowa and Western Illinois at the Iowa Classic to wrap up the tournament portion of the schedule. Our preseason tournament schedule gives us a great opportunity to make a statement, Chouinard said. We open in Louisville against great competition. As we travel to the West Coast, our opponents include three ranked PAC -10 foes Oregon State, Oregon and Washington. The only way to be the best is to beat the best. And the only way to beat the best is to play them. The Huskies start the MAC schedule on the road against Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan on the weekend of March 28-30. Fourteen of NIU s 22 MAC games are on the road, leaving only eight home contests. The longest homestand for NIU is from April 9-16 when they have double-headers against Western Illinois and Buffalo, as well as matchups with Kent State and DePaul. The Huskies also have a three-game homestand from May 2-4 to end the season that includes a double header against Miami (Ohio) and two games with Ball State. NIU then heads to the MAC Tournament in Midland, Mich. from May 7-10. 2008 SCHEDULE DATE OPPONENT SITE TIME Louisville Tournament (Louisville, Ky.) Feb. 22 Louisville Louisville, Ky. 1:00 p.m. Feb. 23 Mississippi Louisville, Ky. 10:00 a.m. Nebraska Louisville, Ky. 2:00 p.m. Feb. 24 TBA Louisville, Ky. TBA Florida Gulf Coast Tournament (Fort Myers, Fla.) Feb. 29 Mercer Fort Myers, Fla. 1:00 p.m. Florida Gulf Coast Fort Myers, Fla. 7:00 p.m. March 1 St. Francis (Pa.) Fort Myers, Fla. 11:00 a.m. Mount St. Mary s Fort Myers, Fla. 3:00 p.m. March 2 Florida Gulf Coast Fort Myers, Fla. 7:00 a.m. Mercer Fort Myers, Fla. 9:00 a.m. Saint Louis Tournament (St. Louis, Mo.) March 8 Saint Louis St. Louis, Mo. TBA Evansville St. Louis, Mo. TBA March 9 Saint Louis St. Louis, Mo. TBA Evansville St. Louis, Mo. TBA March 11 Illinois State (DH) Normal, Ill. 2:00 p.m. Oregon State Tournament March 13 Oregon (DH) Eugene, Ore. 3:00 p.m. March 14 Portland State Portland, Ore. 4:00 p.m. Washington Portland, Ore. 8:00 p.m. March 15 Oregon State (DH) Corvallis, Ore. 1:00 p.m. Iowa Classic (Iowa City, Iowa) March 22 Western Illinois Iowa City, Iowa 12:00 p.m. Iowa Iowa City, Iowa 2:30 p.m. March 23 Western Illinois Iowa City, Iowa 11:00 a.m. Iowa Iowa City, Iowa 3:00 p.m. March 25 Valparaiso (DH) Valparaiso, Ind. 3:00 p.m. March 28 Eastern Michigan (DH) * Ypsilanti, Mich. 12:00 p.m. March 29 Central Michigan * Mount Pleasant, Mich. 1:00 p.m. March 30 Central Michigan * Mount Pleasant, Mich. 12:00 p.m. April 1 Northwestern DeKalb, Ill. 6:00 p.m. April 5 Western Michigan * Kalamazoo, Mich. 1:00 p.m. April 6 Western Michigan * Kalamazoo, Mich. 12:00 p.m. April 8 Loyola-Chicago (DH) Chicago, Ill. 3:00 p.m. April 9 Western Illinois (DH) DeKalb, Ill. 3:00 p.m. April 11 Buffalo (DH) * DeKalb, Ill. 1:00 p.m. April 12 Kent State * DeKalb, Ill. 2:00 p.m. April 13 Kent State * DeKalb, Ill. 1:00 p.m. April 16 DePaul DeKalb, Ill. 4:00 p.m. April 18 Bowling Green (DH) * Bowling Green, Ohio 12:00 p.m. April 19 Toledo * Toledo, Ohio 1:00 p.m. April 20 Toledo * Toledo, Ohio 12:00 p.m. April 25 Ohio (DH) * Athens, Ohio 12:00 p.m. April 26 Akron * Akron, Ohio 1:00 p.m. April 27 Akron * Akron, Ohio 12:00 p.m. May 2 Miami (Ohio) (DH) * DeKalb, Ill. 1:00 p.m. May 3 Ball State * DeKalb, Ill. 2:00 p.m. May 4 Ball State * DeKalb, Ill. 1:00 p.m. May 7 10 MAC Tournament Midland, Mich. TBA All times are CST Home games in bold (DH) = Doubleheader *MAC game 5
Mary 2008 M. Roster Bell Field When Northern Illinois University s softball complex began a new era as both the home of the Huskies and the IHSA Class AA Tournament in 1992, it was the perfect time to dedicate the facility in honor of the founding mother of NIU women s athletics, Dr. Mary Bell. Bell began her association with the university in 1957 as she worked to usher Northern Illinois women s athletics into the forefront. Her coaching experience ran the gamut of sports on the NIU campus. At one time or another, she coached field hockey, basketball, badminton, volleyball, swimming, and softball between 1957 and 1976. If it weren t for people like Mary Bell, many women like me wouldn t have had the opportunity to be involved in athletics, said former NIU athletics director Cary Groth. The Northern Illinois softball program s original diamond was located near the Anderson Hall physical education complex. The NIU women then moved to the former baseball field when that sport was curtailed in 1982. However, when baseball was reinstated in 1991, the softball program was able to start from scratch and build its current home. Initially, the new facility consisted of enclosed dugouts, a portable press trailer, and wood bleachers down the first baseline. With each year, an addition here and an improvement there kept the complex in a progressive state. By 1993, the current raised-aluminum bleacher seating structure behind home plate was added. The 600-capacity grandstand features an enclosed press box with lights, electricity, and phone lines with radio and television capabilities. The public address system and the scoreboard computer are operated from that space and a reinforced roof serves as a camera deck as well. In addition, a media deck was added above the third-base dugout to create more space during the state tournament, and field lighting was added to allow for night games and practices. Bell Field is considered one of the best playing facilities in the Midwest. It consists of a regulation field complete with two batting cages, running water and an infield tarp. In addition, bullpens are available for pitching practice and warm-ups outside each foul line fence. The outfield fence dimensions measure 200 feet down the lines and 220 feet to center field. NIU played host to the 1994 Mid-Continent Conference Tournament at the facility, while the 1996 Huskies won the Midwestern Collegiate Conference title with the home field advantage. Bell Field has been the home of two Mid-American Conference Tournaments, most recently in 2000. 6