Softball

LOREN COMBS

ASHLEE WRIGHT

So

ftb

all

2014-2015

GeneralSchool Name ........................................Wittenberg UniversityLocation ............................................ Springfield, Ohio 45501Founded .........................................................................1845Enrollment .....................................................................1,950Nickname......................................................................TigersHome Field .......................... Betty Doughman Dillahunt FieldCapacity............................................................................300National Affiliation ..................................... NCAA Division IIIConference ......................... North Coast Athletic ConferencePresident .......................................... Laurie M. Joyner, Ph.D.Alma Mater ................Loyola University New Orleans, 1986

Athletics Director.......................................Dr. Gary WilliamsAlma Mater ..................................................Carthage, 1996

Athletics Phone ............................................ (937) 327-6450

Coaching StaffHead Coach .................................................. Laura MatthewsAlma Mater ..................................................... Dayton, 2008

E-mail ........................................ matthewsl@wittenberg.edu Record at Wittenberg ........................47-24 (2013-present) Career Record ............................................................ SameAssistant Coach .................................................. Nikki Miller Softball Office ............................................... (937) 327-6460Athletic Trainer ................................................ Ellen CrosbieAssistant Athletic Trainer ............................Greg SchneiderAssistant Athletic Trainer .............................. Molly Hopkins

Softball HistoryFirst Year ............................................ 1980 (1985 as varsity)All-Time Record .................................................... 534-551-1NCAC Regular Season Championships ............................2NCAC Tournament Championships ...................................1 NCAA Tournament Appearances .......................................2Last NCAA Tournament Appearance ...........................2003Result .............................................................W, Cabrini 3-2 L, Muskingum 2-10 L, Cabrini 3-10

Team Information2014 Overall Record .....................................................24-112014 NCAC Record (Finish) ................................ 11-5 (2nd)Letterwinners Returning ...................................................13

Ali Newton, Shannon Lance, Casey Hobbs, Shelby Knapp,Carley Sullivan, Loren Combs, Kaela Hughes, Lacey Eigel,Abby Baker, Tori Simek, Leah Markovich,Emma Ficke, Ashlee Wright

Letterwinners Lost ..............................................................4Rachel Ross, Laura Rose, Kaitie Harrison, Alyssa Durette

Starters Returning ...............................................................7Ali Newton, Shannon Lance, Casey Hobbs, Loren Combs,Kaela Hughes, Abby Baker, Ashlee Wright

Starters Lost ........................................................................3Laura Rose, Rachel Ross, Kaitie Harrison

2014-15 Quick Facts

SHANNON LANCE

KAELA HUGHES

CREDITS: Photography by university photographer Erin Pence ‘04 and Keri Alexander Luchowski/NCAC

Find the Tigers on Facebook

facebook.com/WittenbergAthleticsfacebook.com/WittSoftball

2014-2015 SOFTBALL

Laura Matthews joined the Wittenberg coaching staff in 2012, beginning her first season as a head coach in 2013.

A 2008 graduate of the University of Dayton, Matthews arrived at Wittenberg after a successful four-year stint as an assistant coach at Lake Forest College. After serving as one of the team’s hitting coaches and working with the team’s infielders in 2009 and

2010, Matthews took over the pitching staff her last two years and helped the Foresters drop their team earned run average by 0.70 runs per game in 2012.

In her first season at the helm in Springfield, Matthews led the Tigers to a 23-13 overall record that opened with the best 9-game start in program history and concluded with second-place finishes in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) regular season standings and the league tournament. The Tigers followed that up with a 2014 season that ended with records of 24-11 overall and 11-5 in the NCAC, good for second place in both the regular season standings and the conference tournament.

Lake Forest posted an overall record of 72-68-1 during Matthews’ four years on campus. The Foresters reached the

Midwest Conference Tournament each of the last four years and secured the No. 1 seed after winning the South Division in three of those seasons. In 2010, Lake Forest finished second in the conference tournament en route to a 24-14-1 overall record. At one point, the team ranked 24th nationally.

Matthews also worked as the internship and alumni programs coordinator in Lake Forest College’s Career Advancement Center from 2010-12. Prior to that, she worked as a business development associate for Kemper Sports Management for two years, representing the company at trade shows and conferences.

Before graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management from the University of Dayton, Matthews served a pair of internships in her hometown of Nashville, Tenn., as a sports marketing intern with Vanderbilt University in 2006 and with the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League in 2007.

Matthews was a four-year starter at catcher at Dayton, capping her career with second-team ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America Softball Team in 2008. That season, she posted career-bests in hits (44), runs (37), doubles (8), runners caught stealing (16) and a team-best .462 on-base percentage while starting all 51 games behind the plate for the Flyers.

Name Year(s) Seasons Games Wins Losses Ties Win Pct.Caroline Zimmerman 1980-87, 89-90 10 219 78 141 0 .356Vickie Rill 1988 1 26 7 19 0 .269Shielah Lingenfelter 1991-96 6 167 83 84 0 .497Pam Brenning 1997 1 32 19 13 0 .594Angel Prinos 1998 1 29 14 15 0 .483Becky Hall 1999-2012 14 542 286 255 1 .529Laura Matthews 2013-present 2 71 47 24 0 .662Totals 1980-present 35 1076 534 551 1 .496

Coaching Staff

Head Coach Laura Matthews

Head Coaching Ledger

Nikki Miller joined the Wittenberg coaching staff after serving as a graduate assistant in academic services monitoring academic progress of student-athletes at Illinois State University.

In addition to her work at Illinois State, Miller coached softball at Normal Community West High School and for the BNGSA Xplosion youth organization in 2013 and 2014. She

also has worked a variety of softball camps and clinics across several states dating back to 2009.

A native of Starkville, Miss., Miller was a four-year letterwinner as a first baseman at Lake Forest College. A career .311 hitter, Miller served as a team captain as a senior. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2013 and will complete her master’s degree in sport management in May 2015.

Assistant Coach Nikki Miller

MYERS HALL

THE HOLLOW

WEAVER CHAPEL

The UniversityCAMPUS

Wittenberg’s stunning 95-acre, rolling, wooded terrain is situated in the heart of Springfield, Ohio. An impressive blend of traditional European classicism and contemporary architecture is abundant amongst the 26 buildings throughout campus.

ADMISSIONWittenberg consistently selects academically strong students. Of entering freshman, approximately 65 percent graduated in the top fifth of their high school classes. Each new class combines National Merit Scholars, Ohio Academic scholars and Lutheran Scholars.

STUDENTSWhat strikes most people when they visit Wittenberg is the genuine friendliness and welcoming nature of the campus and its residents. There are more than 1,950 full-time students currently enrolled, representing more than 37 states and approximately 23 foreign countries; 45 percent of students are male, 55 percent are female.

FACULTYWittenberg’s 195 outstanding classroom instructors all consider students their top priority. With an average class size of 20 and a student-faculty ratio of 12-to-1, Wittenberg faculty and students have numerous opportunities for meaningful interaction both in and out of the classroom.

PROGRAMS OF STUDYWittenberg has more than 60 majors, minors and special programs from which to choose. Among these majors are such outstanding interdisciplinary programs as East Asian Studies, Russian and Central Eurasian Studies and Biochemistry/Molecular Biology.

OFF-CAMPUS STUDIESWittenberg encourages off-campus opportunities that complement the classroom experience: pursuing an internship, studying abroad, and getting involved in the community through volunteer programs and community service.

STUDENT LIFEMore than 150 campus organizations offer opportunities not only to have fun, but to gain management and leadership experience while at Wittenberg. These include 11 national fraternities and sororities, the Outdoors Club, WUSO radio station, Residence Life, Campus Ministries, Student Senate, Pre-Health Club and many more.

ATHLETICSWittenberg enjoys a long-standing reputation as an athletics powerhouse, fielding winning teams in many different sports. Wittenberg competes annually against the best competition that NCAA Division III has to offer. The athletics department offers 23 varsity intercollegiate athletic teams for men and women.

RESIDENTIAL LIFEWittenberg students live on campus in residence halls their first two years. Upperclassmen may choose to stay in the residence halls or move into Wittenberg’s campus housing, which includes apartments, houses and fraternity and sorority houses.

FINANCIAL AIDMore than 98 percent of students are awarded financial aid at Wittenberg, thanks to the generosity and loyal support of more than 26,000 living alumni.

2014-2015 SOFTBALL

Athletics Facilities

BETTY DOUGHMAN DILLAHUNT FIELD

ROSENCRANS FITNESS CENTER

PAM EVANS SMITH ARENA

EDWARDS-MAURER FIELD

CARLETON DAVIDSON STADIUM

Wittenberg Athletics FacilitiesWittenberg’s athletics facilities are a unique

blend of old and new, providing opportunities for a wide variety of recreational and fitness activities. The Health, Physical Education and Recreation Center (HPERC) is the centerpiece of the complex and hub of activity throughout the year. The main unit can be converted to three full-sized basketball courts or three volleyball courts. It seats 3,000 spectators for intercollegiate athletic events, and 4,300 for concerts and other public events.

A second unit houses four racquetball courts with an upper balcony for instruction and two golf practice rooms with state-of-the-art equipment. Wittenberg’s Natatorium features a 25-meter by 25-yard swimming pool with one- and three-meter diving boards and a spectator viewing area. The Kremchek Family Athletic Training Room was completed in 2012 and includes more than 2,000 square feet of space and the latest in training equipment.

The HPERC also includes the historic Wittenberg Field House, home to Tiger teams since 1929, the Heinzen Strength Center, and the Bob Rosencrans Hall of Honor Fitness Center, which was built in 2005. The strength center and the fitness center house the latest in training equipment to accommodate the wide range of needs of the entire campus.

Edwards-Maurer Field and Earl F. Morris Track were renovated in 2005. Edwards-Maurer Field features an artificial playing surface and Earl F. Morris Track is a 400-meter

track outfitted with a cutting-edge surface. The entire complex is lighted, and it serves as home to the Tiger football, track, field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s lacrosse teams.

The David and Georgiana Albright Tennis Complex was completed in 1997. It houses 12 tennis courts that were re-surfaced in 2012. Six of the courts are lighted, including two sunken center courts with space for seating.

Situated a few blocks from campus are Bill Edwards Field, which offers playing and practice fields, and Betty Dillahunt Field, home of the Tiger softball team. Less than two miles from campus is Carleton Davidson Stadium, which opened in 2004 and is the home of Tiger baseball. Owned and maintained by the City of Springfield, Carleton Davidson Stadium has seating capacity of 1,061, nearly half of which is under cover, a media center, locker rooms with showers and secured storage. The Tigers share the facility with the Champion City Kings, a collegiate summer baseball franchise that started play in the Prospect League in 2014.

In 2014, Wittenberg embarked on an upgrade of its athletics facilities, with the commitment to build a new indoor multi-purpose athletics and recreation facility. Once completed, the facility will provide year-round opportunities that will benefit the entire campus community, including varsity athletic teams, club teams and intramural sports.

2014 SeasonSCHEDULE/RESULTS

3/4 vs. Eastern Nazarene $ W, 1-03/10 vs. Northwestern (Minn.) $ W, 13-0 (6)3/10 vs. Lesley $ W, 6-1 3/11 vs. Millikin $ W, 4-3 (8)3/11 vs. Haverford $ W, 8-0 (5)3/13 vs. Simmons$ L, 10-73/13 vs. Wesleyan (Conn.) $ W, 12-0 (5)3/14 vs. Ithaca $ W, 7-23/14 vs. Rensselaer $ W, 6-33/15 vs. Rutgers-Camden $ W, 9-0 (5)3/15 vs. Trinity (Conn.) $ W, 12-0 (5)3/22 THOMAS MORE L, 5-4 (9)3/22 THOMAS MORE W, 6-04/1 WOOSTER * W, 11-14/1 WOOSTER * W, 10-24/9 KENYON * L, 1-04/9 KENYON * W, 10-24/12 ALLEGHENY * W, 3-14/12 ALLEGHENY * W, 2-04/13 at Ohio Wesleyan * L, 9-1 (6)4/13 at Ohio Wesleyan * L, 2-14/17 OBERLIN * W, 9-1 (5)4/17 OBERLIN * W, 10-1 (5)4/19 at Denison * L, 2-14/19 at Denison * W, 8-0 (5)4/23 at DePauw * L, 5-04/23 at DePauw * W, 2-14/24 MUSKINGUM L, 4-14/24 MUSKINGUM L, 5-24/27 at Hiram * W, 6-14/27 at Hiram * W, 14-65/2 vs. Denison # W, 5-25/2 at DePauw # L, 4-15/3 vs. Ohio Wesleyan # W, 5-05/3 at DePauw # W, 8-75/3 at DePauw # L, 5-4 * NCAC Game # NCAC Tournament$ Dot Richardson Spring Games in Clermont, Fla.

CASEY HOBBS

POSTSEASON AWARDSAll-NCAC Newcomer of the Year/First Team - Abby Baker Second Team - Loren Combs, Laura Rose, Rachel Ross Honorable Mention - Kaitie Harrison, Casey HobbsNFCA All-Central Region Second Team - Abby Baker Third Team - Loren CombsCoSIDA Academic All-District/All-America First Team/Third Team - Rachel Ross

ABBY BAKER

In 2013-2014, the Wittenberg Tigers...• Won 5 North Coast Athletic Conference regular season championships in football, women’s soccer,

volleyball, women’s lacrosse and men’s golf.• Finished in the top 5 in the final North Coast Athletic Conference standings in 16 of 23 sports• Finished 3rd in the final standings for the NCAC Dennis Collins Memorial All-Sports Trophy• Earned 6 NCAC Player of the Year trophies• Earned 4 NCAC Coach of the Year trophies• Placed 104 student-athletes on All-North Coast Athletic Conference teams• Placed 21 student-athletes on all-region teams and 8 on All-America teams• Earned 3 CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-America awards• Finished 91st in the NACDA Director’s Cup (NCAA Division III all-sports comparison) thanks to

postseason appearances by 4 teams

2014-2015 SOFTBALL

2015 Season

2015 Softball Schedule

SHELBY KNAPP

WITTENBERG SOFTBALL

ALI NEWTON

To schedule a home game visit, contact Coach Matthews atmatthewsl@wittenberg.edu or 937-327-6460

2/28 vs. Maryville (TN) & (s) 1:00 PM

2/28 at Transylvania & (s) 3:00 PM

3/1 vs. Centre & (s) 11:00 AM

3/1 vs. TBA & (s) TBA

3/7-15 Spring Break Games TBA

3/21 at Thomas More 1:00 PM

3/23 CAPITAL 3:30 PM

3/28 at Case Western 1:00 PM

3/31 at Wooster * 3:30 PM

4/3 ANDERSON (IND.) 1:00 PM

4/4 OHIO WESLEYAN * 3:30 PM

4/8 at Kenyon * 3:30 PM

4/11 at Allegheny * 1:00 PM

4/14 at Oberlin * 3:30 PM

4/18 DENISON * 1:00 PM

4/22 DEPAUW * 3:30 PM

4/23 OTTERBEIN 3:30 PM

4/25 HIRAM * 1:00 PM

4/26 HEIDELBERG 2:00 PM*NCAC games & Transylvania Tournament

All games doubleheaders unless noted with (s)

The North Coast Athletic Conference and Wittenberg University work together to encourage good sportsmanship on the court, on the field and in the stands. The Wittenberg Athletics Department expects all competitors and spectators to help maintain an open, accepting and competitive environment

in order to promote positive, enjoyable experiences for all involved with Division III athletics.

Student-athletes are primarily responsible for balancing academics and athletics. However, recognizing the pressure that student-athletes face from competing time demands placed upon them by both professors and coaches, we establish the following statement of responsibility. The statement assumes that the student’s primary responsibility is to academic coursework and that practice sessions are always subordinate to class attendance.

Students should work with advisers to schedule courses so that practices and contests are not in conflict with academic courses.

Student-athletes are expected to contact professors in advance in order to resolve conflicts between class attendance and participation in athletic contests. It is recommended that student-athletes miss not more than four sessions of any class in a semester for regular season athletic contests. Permission of a Faculty Athletic Representative is required before additional excused absences will be permitted.

Coaches will, as necessary, establish and maintain communications with the professors of team athletes regarding academic progress. Professors should feel free to contact coaches regarding the academic responsibilities of student-athletes.

Statement of Responsibility for Balance Between Academics & Athletics

The Wittenberg Athletic Department is an integral part of the university that strives to achieve the same standards of excellence that exist within various academic disciplines at the university. Further, the athletic department embraces the concept that the student-athletes are first and foremost students, possessing individual rights, academic abilities, personal interests and ambitions comparable to those of other members of the general student body.

Wittenberg University is committed to the principles and practices of amateurism, student-athlete welfare, gender equity, sportsmanship and fair play, cultural diversity and overall athletics excellence, and this commitment shall reflect in every aspect of the athletics departmental operations.

Wittenberg Athletics Philosophy