Success Follows SIUE Cougar Softball
         EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - When Southern Illinois University Edwardsville softball coach Sandy Montgomery takes a look at her team roster and notices only two seniors, she doesn’t get worried.
         The Cougars return six starters from a team that finished last season 35-19 and 15-5 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, and made its fifth straight NCAA appearance in 2004.
         After a successful recruiting season, in which SIUE picked up five players, the Cougars will try and replace one of the best hitters in SIUE history after graduation of All-Great Lakes Region and All-GLVC first-teamer Jenny Esker.
         Success is nothing new to the SIUE program, posting an overall record of 210-78 and a mark of 82-21 in GLVC play over the past five seasons. This season, the Cougars are primed for a run at the league title after being picked second in the GLVC preseason softball poll behind Northern Kentucky.
         "We all had a very good fall," said Montgomery. "I am very happy with our team offensively and defensively. "
         SIUE’s outfield will return three players who saw considerable playing time last season. Senior Samantha Easterley (Belleville) will see time both in left and right field. Easterley is the only returning Cougar with a home run last season.
         "She is going to provide a lot of leadership," said Montgomery. "She has been hitting the ball very well in practice. I look for good things out of her. "
         Junior Shanna Waldo (Peoria) continues her stay in center field and will be the Cougars leadoff hitter after stealing 28 bases last season.
         "She provides us with a tremendous amount of speed," said Montgomery. "She makes a lot of things happen when she is on base."
         Joining Easterley and Waldo in the outfield will be 2004 All-Region first team selection junior Alicia DeShasier (Carrollton). DeShasier will see time in the outfield as the team’s No. 3 hitter after finishing last season second on the team in batting average (.324) and hits (55), while leading the club with 17 doubles.
         "She is very athletic, very versatile," said Montgomery. "She caught her freshman year. She played outfield and second last year, and she is going to pitch and play outfield this year."
         Megan Gaitros (Pekin) will also see action in the outfield after appearing in 17 games last season.
         "She played very well this fall," said Montgomery. "I could see her seeing some time as well."
         Leading the charge on defense will be in the infield as the Cougars return three starters including senior shortstop Veronica Schmidt (Westmont), third baseman Amy Rogers (Tucson, Ariz), and second baseman Holly Neuerburg (Orion).
         Neuerburg looks to get back to the level she played at during the 2003 season as an All-American and Rogers will build on a successful sophomore year at the hot corner.
         "Holly has been hitting the ball really well," said Montgomery. "Amy has a cannon for an arm, and she knows the game exceptionally well."
         Schmidt, fourth on the team in RBIs, with 25 last season, will be sidelined to begin the season with a knee injury.
         "She has been a steady player for us for three years," said Montgomery. "She had her knee scoped and is going to be out for this week’s games. "It is possible she could be ready for next weekend’s games at home (Feb. 26)."
         Starting in Schmidt’s place to begin the season will be freshman Kaeleigh Rousey (Bloomington).
         "She has great hands," said Montgomery. "She doesn’t have the experience Veronica has, but she has some of the best hands I have seen on a young player in a long time."
         Sophomore Emily Lenart (Bartonville) and freshman Mallory Ruggles (Nashville) will battle for time at first base.
         Emily has a lot of power and works very hard," said Montgomery. "Mallory is another very good hitter. First base is still up in the air. Whoever is performing will be in there."
         Another position in which SIUE looks to have two young players battling is at the catcher’s spot. Sophomore Libby Lenart (Bartonville) and freshman Ashley Price (O’Fallon) are both vying for the job.
         "Libby has great hands for a catcher and also hits the ball very well," said Montgomery. "Ashley has a great arm. She hits the ball extremely hard. They are both learning to catch and how to call a game."
         Sophomore Katy Biggs (Yipsilanti, Mich.) appeared 24 games for SIUE coming off the bench for base running.
         "She is very fast and she can steal bases," said Montgomery. "I can see her making an appearance in every game."
         A revamped Cougar pitching staff will have new faces but looks to continue the success from last season’s 1.47 earned run average and 17 shuouts.
         "The pitchers have come a long way," said Montgomery. "They will improve everyday we get an opportunity to play."
         Newcomers freshman Lindsey Laas (Frankfort) and junior Casey Wantland (Fisher) will join DeShasier on the staff.
         "Lindsey has made a lot of progress," said Montomery. "She has a lot of different pitches. She throws a lot of off speed and keeps hitters off balance."
         The left-handed Wantland will "provide a whole different look to the pitching staff."
         The Cougars head to the Central Arkansas Tournament in Conway, Ark., to begin the season this weekend. SIUE will battle Delta State and Ouachita Baptist on Friday, before facing Henderson State and Emporia State on Saturday.
                 -siue-