Softball vying for E8 supremacy after 14-2 start

The Alfred softball program has one thing on its mind this season.

“We all agreed upon it. We all expect it,” said head coach Gino Olivieri. “We’re tired of finishing second, two years in a row, at the ECACs last year at Empire 8s.”

Last year, the team won 24 games, going 8-4 in conference play. Olivieri was named conference Coach of the Year and a school-record eight players received all-star recognition.

But the team lost in the ECAC title game to Union. It’s a game they hope to return to in 2009.

This season, Olivieri said that the team’s focus is to enter the conference playoffs, win it and represent Alfred in the NCAA regional. He says the team believes that this year is the year.

Despite a set back, the team has responded to its own demands, recording a 14-2 record just prior to the halfway point in the season.

The hurdle facing the team was the loss of last year’s ace, Holly Seidewand, who posted a 1.98 ERA and six shutouts. Seidewand is currently studying abroad in New Zealand.

“We didn’t anticipate Holly leaving,” Olivieri said. “I just have to figure out who’s going to be the starter, middle relief and closer. We’re getting there.”

Woven into the surprising loss of Seidewand, the team now relies on underclassmen on the mound.

“I brought in six freshman pitchers,” said Olivieri. “It’s more of a pitching staff than a one, two pitcher.

Olivieri did say that Chelsey Cary, a transfer, has stepped into the number one role.

Despite the loss of Seidewand, Alfred added a blockbuster type “free-agent” via transfer to its roster.

Junior Samantha Rollins played two seasons at Monroe Community College, collecting two-time junior college First Team All-American honors.

“She’s stepping in very nicely at shortstop,” said Olivieri.

The addition has allowed Olivieri the flexibility to move Karen Folts to second base, a First Team all conference performer, and send former second baseman Jordan Siefer to right field.

Offensively, the Saxons are, for a lack of better terms, stacked. According to NCAA.org, Alfred ranks third in the nation in hitting.

Jessica Figallo and Jesika LeBarron lead the nation in hitting. Folts hit four home runs in a double-header versus Pitt-Bradford, three in the second game. Rollins, meanwhile, is in a 6-way tie for 70th in batting average in the country (.444).

The Saxons went 14-0 in its trip to Fla. Upon the team’s return to Empire 8 action, two losses to Nazareth have set the team back. It's not unfamiliar territory as AU dropped its first four conference games last year.

Undoubtedly, the Saxons understand that they are a team to be reckoned with.

“We got way too good way too quick,” LeBarron said. “It’s not a bad thing, but people are definitely intimidated by it and were the ones they want to beat.”

“We got good really fast,” said Figallo. “And so…now we have a target on our back.”

Only time will tell if Alfred’s able to persevere through a challenging E8 conference schedule. But, so far, this team’s on fire.