Jan. 28, 2003

LAS VEGAS - UNLV is not considered the favorite to win this year's Mountain West Conference softball title. Most probably wouldn't even consider it among the frontrunners. Not a single senior can be found on the roster. But if you stopped by Eller Media Stadium to watch a Rebel practice, you would see only the mood of a rising contender.

Count the team itself among the few Rebel believers, and that has been enough to spread rampant enthusiasm throughout the squad. As head coach Shan McDonald gears her 11 returning letterwinners and six newcomers toward the start of the 2003 season, she admits that the team seems to be together in its pursuit of a league crown.

"We have average talent, so for this team to be successful, we have to play strong as a team," McDonald said. "We have to outhustle people, play clean and have fun. We know that we have to do it, and I think the personalities on this team will let us do this. I think we've got enough talent that we should be able to compete for a conference championship. We're a little young, but we're hoping that our enthusiasm can overcome our youth."

The Rebels' excitement is without a hint of fear, even considering the fact that all four senior starters from last year's team are gone and that no player on the roster has more than two years in the system.

"We will be fine with no seniors because we have such strong personalities in our junior class," McDonald said. "They are all committed to the right things. And behind them is a pretty special sophomore class that includes players with deep roots in softball who are committed to winning and playing the game the right way. We just hope that the balance of the team can follow that lead."

Those personalities yielded a 30-34 record last season, including seven of eight games down the backstretch to leap into third place in the league standings. The young Rebels reeled off back-to-back home series sweeps and dropped league champ San Diego State on the road, providing a hint of momentum heading into this season.

OUTFIELDERS
The most veteran group on the squad is the outfield where all three starters return for their junior year. Bridget Byrne, Carrie Bayless and Lisa Moses made a combined 175 starts of a possible 192 and batted 1-2-3 in the order respectively for much of the season.

Byrne is the only player on the roster that started all 64 games in 2002, and she will continue that streak this season in left field. An honor student who carries her intellect onto the softball field, Byrne has continually improved throughout her career and looks for a big year.

"Bridget has always been a big spark for us, and the way her game has matured has made her an even bigger impact player for us," McDonald said. "Her game has really opened up and she can make a play at any time in the game, offensively or defensively."

To Byrne's left will be Bayless, a speedy player who can patrol a lot of territory in center and put the ball in play offensively. She exploded at the plate in conference play last year, leading the team with an amazing .366 average.

"The production Carrie gave us toward the end of last season was a pleasant surprise and it really boosted her confidence heading into this season," McDonald said. "If she takes that to the plate offensively, she'll be a good tool for us."

Moses is the most experienced player on the team with 109 games logged in right field the last two years. She has hit a respectable .306 over that span and has driven in 19 runs. She is a strong hitter from the left side of the plate and boasts a powerful arm defensively.

"Lisa has been a pretty steady player for two years," McDonald said. "I think she is just refining the things that she already does well and will swing the bat more consistently this season."

Sophomore Jennie Whitman also returns to the outfield unit. Whitman saw limited time defensively last year, but was used as the Rebels' top pinch runner. She played in 25 games, scoring eight runs and stealing four bases.

"Jen could be a sleeper on this team," McDonald said. "She already has a year in our system improving some already sound skills. She also has good speed and has worked hard at the plate. She's the type of player that can come up with a key play for us when we need one."

Newcomer Joanna Jackson, a tall and athletic player, may see some time in the outfield. Her speed and athleticism allow her to play both infield and outfield, and her play at the plate could force McDonald to find a slot in the lineup for her. A seasoned prep player with a slew of ASA experience, Jackson should make a significant impact as a true freshman.

The Rebels will again be without the services of Bianca Gonzales, who re-tore her ACL in the fall. While she is most likely gone for the season, Gonzales could be ready before the end of the year with some luck.

INFIELDERS
The battle for starting positions in the infield is a bit more intense and shows the youth of the team. Sophomores Pauline Glenn and Morgan Bostwick both played more than 60 games last season and carry the most game experience of the infielders.

Glenn returns to her spot at the hot corner after an all-conference effort as a freshman. She was a monster at the plate, clubbing 11 home runs and 34 RBI. Four of those homers propelled the Rebels to wins over Saint Mary's, Middle Tennessee, New Mexico and San Diego State.

"Pauline is as solid as a rock," McDonald said. "She's refined and doesn't make very many mistakes."

Bostwick also saw significant action as a freshman, using her versatility to earn playing time in every game. She made multiple starts at first base, second base and shortstop, hitting .284 and knocking in four homers along the way.

"I think Morgan will really show up as a strong team leader on the field this year," McDonald said. "She's just a gamer. She loves to play. She leaves it all on the field. We're hoping we can nail her down to one position to give us some consistency in the infield, but it's reassuring to know that we can use her anywhere we need her. Even without spending much practice time at a position, she can pick it up real quickly."

Bostwick should see steadier time at one of the middle infield positions, where she will compete with sophomore Kira Enlow and walk-on freshman Sam Sardinha.

Enlow showed flashes of athleticism despite getting a slow start at the Division I level while recovering from a broken ankle sustained in high school. She has benefited from activity throughout the summer and fall and will see an increased role on the team this year at multiple positions.

"We should be better able to take advantage of Kira's talents this year now that she is fully recovered," McDonald said. "Defensively she's quick and deceiving, and the same on the bases. She reads defenses well and can make them look silly. She'll take advantage of every break she gets."

Sardinha, a walk-on from Kailua, Hawaii, joined the Rebels in the fall and earned a spot on the roster with her quick hands and tough play. She comes from an athletic background that includes three brothers playing professional baseball.

"Sam really has a lot of natural talent and natural instincts," McDonald said. "She is so composed and athletic that she may surprise a few people this season."

Sophomore Melissa Bruechert has not won the starting job at first base outright, but she may have the edge. Bruechert has improved in all facets of her game and swings a bat that may be too big for McDonald to leave on the bench.

"There's no doubting Melissa's physical tools," said McDonald. "She's tall, she's strong, and she swings the bat with good power. She has matured in her approach to the game and in her confidence. If she can take some of that confidence to the plate, then offensively she's going to be an important part of our lineup."

Two hurlers are competing with Bruechert for time at first between pitching appearances. Not only the veteran of the pitching staff, junior Kacey Ellis logged action at first in 36 games last year. She has a quick and solid glove and delivers clutch hitting at the plate.

"Kacey showed us a lot last year, stepping in and filling the hole at first," McDonald said. "She has worked hard this summer and I think she will pick up right where she left off."

Newcomer Becky McDonald, a lefty out of Chandler, Ariz., will also push for time at first when she isn't pitching. A smart and athletic player, McDonald should make a significant impact as a freshman.

"Becky is a talented athlete, but more importantly she is a very committed player and she is mentally tough," McDonald said. "She works as hard as or harder than anybody else on the team, both on and off the field. She knows the game, and I really think that will make a big difference over her career."

CATCHERS
The most untested area of the team is behind the plate, where an inexperienced junior and two freshmen compete for one spot. The Rebels were fortunate to have Melissa Inouye behind the dish last season, who turned a rare trick by catching every inning of every game. Inouye exhausted her eligibility, but remains in the Rebel dugout this year as a volunteer coach and will work with the trio of catchers.

Inouye's enduring play last season relegated Wendy Godwin to the bullpen and a pinch-hitting role. But despite her limited experience in the field, Godwin carries a big bat and will most likely start as the designated player when not catching.

"Wendy is a great team player," McDonald said. "She will impact the game with her offense by hitting with power and game strategy. She has improved leaps and bounds from last year."

Britney Hillyer and Carly Petracco, both added in McDonald's latest recruiting class, round out the competition behind the dish. Both should see some game time while adjusting to Division I play.

PITCHERS
UNLV lost two of the top pitchers to come through the program with the departure of Geney Orris and Nicole Truax, but return a pair of tested arms and gain a talented rookie to balance the pitching load this year.

Ellis is the veteran with 35 starts over the last two seasons. She was the only pitcher on the staff with a winning record last season at 7-3.

Meanwhile, sophomore Jackie Kerrigan was the most active pitcher on the staff last season and led the team in most statistical categories. She has a heavy fastball, an impressive change and the ability to strike out anybody.

"Kacey has really matured as a player and has stepped up every phase of her game," McDonald said. "If we can compliment a focused effort from her with the overpowering stuff Jackie throws, we could really take advantage of some teams."

The unknown of the staff is Becky McDonald, who has already earned the praise of her coach with hard work and an ability to learn.

"Becky is a smart, smart player," McDonald said. "She has picked up so much in just a short time, and if that continues, she will produce an amazing career."

AS A TEAM
This edition could be one of the most productive offensive units in Shan McDonald's 16-year career, the coach admits. Granted, last season's MWC Player of the Year Geney Orris is gone, but the rest of the top half of the order returns, and Godwin will transition from a pinch hitting role to that of a designated player.

"We're going to have to hit the ball and we need to score runs," McDonald said. "But our young players learned a lot last season, and I think that will show at the plate. I think we could surprise some teams with our hitting."

Defensively, UNLV will field an untested group that showed some inconsistency last season. The Rebels played the first 17 contests of the year before recording an errorless game, but later broke a school record with eight straight mistake-free matches.

"We are hoping to settle into a defensive rhythm early in the year," McDonald said. "We have some versatile players, but if we can settle into our roles early, then we shouldn't have to move a lot of players around and can keep experienced defenders in their natural positions."

SCHEDULE
The Rebels' schedule sets up similar to last season's. A heavy emphasis is placed on tournament play early in the year, including three in the Rebels' own home. The UNLV Classic, a perennial favorite among teams around the country, moves across town to Stephanie Lynn Craig Park, while the Rebs' on-campus home at Eller Media Stadium will host mini tournaments in late February and March.

The Fiesta Bowl Tournament and the Capital Classic both repeat on the schedule, and a mid-March appearance at the Kia Classic in Fullerton bring some heavy competition, including four games against Pac-10 competition.

All of the tourney play serves as a tune-up for the fourth season of Mountain West Conference play, which opens with a home doubleheader against Colorado State on March 28.

"We have a lot to learn before then," McDonald said of her team. "We have a lot of unknowns, but also a lot of possibilities, and I think this team will keep that in mind as we go through this year."