Lending a helping hand
SLIPPERY ROCK — From underdog to top dog?
The Slippery Rock University softball team hopes to make it happen. If it does, Butler County products Jenna Geibel and Kirsten Brant will have plenty to do with the transformation.
“They're in the heart of our lineup and two of our most productive hitters,” SRU assistant coach Becky Sciacca said.
The numbers bear that out.
Geibel, a Butler graduate and SRU sophomore, hit .385 with 11 home runs, 37 RBI and 31 runs scored as an All-PSAC West selection last year. Those numbers rank among the top 10 all-time on The Rock's single-season list.
Brant, a Knoch graduate and SRU junior, has started 84 games over the past two seasons and hit .382 with eight homers, 24 RBI and 10 stolen bases last spring. She tied for the team lead with 32 runs scored.
Geibel played third base while Brant played shortstop last year. Geibel figures to move to first base this season.
SRU finished 22-21 in 2010 and the coaches preseason poll picks The Rock to tie for fourth place with Gannon in the PSAC West.
The team's aspirations are much higher.
“We expect to be in the playoffs,” Geibel said. “Our team has too much talent not to be. We definitely deserve more respect than we're getting.”
Brant committed 10 errors at shortstop last season, but Sciacca anticipates major improvement in that area.
“She made a few mistakes, but Kirsten takes pride in her defense and she works hard at it,” the coach said. “She is a very solid all-around player who has shined ever since she got here.“If we get similar performances from Jenna and Kirsten this spring, we'll be fine because we've got talent surrounding them.”Geibel and Brant know each other well. They played travel ball together with the Pittsburgh Predators.“Seeing (Brant's) previous success here helped my confidence when I first came in,” Geibel said. “She was like a role model for me.”The Rock returns 14 players, including three others who started at least 25 games last year. Like Geibel, center fielder Shardea Croes was an All-PSAC West performer.Croes led SRU with a .407 batting average and 55 hits in 2010. She also stole 16 bases.Another Butler graduate, catcher Karra White, is a transfer from Washington & Jefferson College and hopes to gain playing time.Geibel is looking to gain ground in the SRU record book. She led the team with 96 total bases last year and her .738 slugging percentage was fourth in the PSAC.Jessica Kortz holds the Rock record of 40 career home runs. Stacey Rhoades holds the marks for career batting average at .373 and total bases with 334.“After last season, I glanced by some of that stuff,” Geibel said. “If I maintain a high level of production and stay healthy, I've got a shot at those things.”SRU begins its 10-game season-opening string of games in Kissimmee, Fla., at 1 p.m. March 6 against Wilmington (Del).
