Softball Set to Begin 2010 Season

The 2010 edition of the Brown softball team is ready to embark on a new season. Featuring just three seniors and the addition of nine newcomers to the roster, Head Coach Dee Dee Enabenter-Omidiji is expecting her four captains; seniors Amanda Asay, Katie Rothamel, Andrea Browne and junior Danielle Comissiong to lead the team both on and off the field this season.

“We’re beginning a turnaround and we need to learn how to win,” said Enabenter-Omidiji. “We have a large quantity of players, but they are all quality players and our roster is deep this year.”

The team is on the brink of great things, especially if Asay can stay health this year. A former British Columbia baseball standout, Asay has battled injuries the last two seasons with the Bears. Last year could have been one of her best, as she played and started in Brown’s first six contests and registered 10 hits, two homeruns and tallied six RBI before sustaining a season-ending injury. Asay started out at first base for the Bears last year, but will move back behind the plate to catch and lead Brown’s pitching staff.

Rothamel played and started in 24 games last season for the Bears and her experience at shortstop will help the Bears obtain their goals this season. Defensively she ranked third on the team in putouts (51) and second in assists (39).
She will also help the Bears offensively, as she combined for 18 hits, including five doubles, and eight RBI.

Browne, one of Brown’s most dependable and consistent athletes, will move from left field to right field this year. She played and started in 36 contests and had 23 hits, which included eight doubles, and eight RBI. Brown’s last captain, Comissiong, has taken some of the biggest strides in the off-season in skill development and has been the most consistent according to the coaching staff. Comissiong started in 17 of 24 games and played in the outfield and served as a pinch runner. In 31 at bats, she posted six hits, including a homerun and three doubles, and also scored four runs and tallied two RBI.

The other three juniors on the 2010 roster are Emily Chaddock, Kristie Chin and Lindsay Rice. Chaddock and Chin have been called upon to lead the team’s young pitching staff and have been consistent performers on the mound. Chaddock made 13 appearances on the mound last season while Chin only saw action seven times. Chin served more as a utility player last season and competed at both first base and right field.

Rhode Island native, Rice, has been a vocal leader for the Bears both on and off the field. A second baseman, Rice will continue to anchor the infield and be a consistent contributor on both offense and defense.

Brown’s sophomore class is an extremely talented group, as all three saw significant action last season. Kate Strobel, an Honorable Mention All-Ivy selection, played third base and also served as a designated player. She was Brown’s top offensive threat, leading the squad with a .351 batting average along with team-highs of 40 hits, 22 runs and five homeruns. She also chipped in with 22 RBI and 10 doubles, and ranked 10th in batting average in the Ivy League. However, Strobel will switch corners on defense and play first base for the Bears this year, where Enabenter-Omidiji feels she will be more comfortable.

Mastrangelo, another big hitter for the Bears, will move from catcher to outfield this season. She started in 36 of 37 games last season and was fourth on the team with a .293 batting average. Her .431 on base percentage ranked first on the team, and ninth in the Ivy League, while her 17 walks ranked first on the team and seventh in the league.

Rounding out the class is Trish Melvin, who will strengthen the team’s pitching staff. She made 12 appearances on the mound last season and continues to bring a competitive spirit to the lineup. She was also a solid contributor at the plate, combining for 14 hits and 11 RBI.

The nine newcomers Mary Grace Alessi, Alyssa Caplan, Liz DiMascio, Lauren Kattchee, Erika Mueller, Julianna Perez, Avery Silverstein, Stephanie Thompson and Maddi Tropp-Bluestone make up almost half the roster as the group brings a competitive and a positive attitude to the squad.

Thompson, a three-year varsity softball player from Chino Hills High School, was named the Chino Hills High School Athlete of the Year in 2009. She was a team captain, earned a batting average of .326 and received the 2009 Husky Silver Slugger Award (.494. She also received All-Sierra League First Team honors and led her team to a CIF semi-final appearance.

Tropp-Bluestone joins the Bears from Glenbrook North High School in Illinois where she lettered in softball for four years. She garnered Central Suburban League All-Conference awards three times, was a team captain for three years, and was the MVP her of squad in both 2008 and 2009. She will see some time behind the plate and will fill in at the designated player position.

Elizabeth Dimascio of Braintree High School had an outstanding fall season for the Bears. A three-year team captain, Disamscio was the Carey Division MVP with a 14-2 record. She posted a .30 ERA, earned 223 strikeouts and registered 12 shutouts on the year. She was a Bay State League All-Star and guided her team to a Bay State Carey Division Championship.

Another freshman that will be making an impact is Kattchee, a three-year letter winner from St. Agnes Academy in Houston. Kattchee led her team to a state championship during her senior year, was her team’s MVP, and was also an All-State tournament team selection, first team all-state, first team all-district and was an Academic All-State honoree. She’s expected to be a utility player with the Bears and will also see some action at the mound.

Silverstein, a four-year letter winner, led Amity Regional High School to two Housatonic championships, an SCC championship, and was an All-State selection in both 2007 & 2008. She is expected to start in center field for the Bears.

Mueller brings game awareness and a competitive edge to the Bears, as she was a four-year letter winner at Steilacoom High School. She posted a .449 batting average her senior year, and was her team’s MVP. She was a Nisqually All-League First team catcher, and all-area first team catcher for Tacoma Seattle. Mueller should see time at second base for the Bears this season. Also vying for time on the field is Alessi and Caplan and Perez. Alessi played softball for three years at Northport High School. She’ll be a utility player for the Bears and play mostly in the outfield. Caplan will spend time at first base and in the outfield.

The Bears begin competition when the squad travels to Baltimore for a tournament at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. Brown opens the 2010 season against Morgan State at 1:00 p.m. on March 5 and then takes on host UMBC at 3:00 p.m.