Missouri softball has experienced unparalleled success since Ehren Earleywine took over as coach in 2007.
Earleywine’s .760 winning percentage at MU is the highest in school history. That, coupled with the Tigers’ three consecutive appearances in the Women’s College World Series, earned Earleywine a seven-year contract extension during the summer. The team has no time to sit back and enjoy their achievements this upcoming season though, not until they capture a national title. Led by National Player of the Year finalist junior pitcher Chelsea Thomas, this Missouri team boasts plenty of young players with raw talent.
“We’re athletic,” Earleywine said. “We’ve got a lot of freshman who can really run. My style of play has always been a very reckless style of offense, and those kids fit well into that scheme.”
The Tigers defeated Heartland Community College 5-0 Friday afternoon, completing Missouri’s second doubleheader sweep of the exhibition season. This season, the team will be relying heavily on that game’s starting pitcher, Kristin Nottelmann. The senior from Fenton scattered three hits over seven innings while racking up 10 strikeouts. Nottelmann worked hard this offseason, adding 12 pounds to her frame at her coach’s request.
“Since the day we recruited (Nottlemann) we’ve been trying to get weight on her,” Earleywine said. “We feel like the more size she puts on the better her velocity will be.”
The coaches hope Nottelmann’s improved velocity can make her an improved No. 2 pitcher behind Thomas, especially with the new Big 12 schedule. This season marks the first time three games are in a conference play series, as opposed to previous two game series.
Earleywine said the Tigers do not want to lean on their number one pitcher too heavily in these long series, as they hope to have Nottelmann pitch the second game in each series, giving Thomas a longer rest between starts.
“If (Nottleman) is able to provide that, it’ll be a huge benefit to our program,” Earleywine said.
The Tigers begin this season without two of the Big 12’s premier players from last season. Catcher Megan Christopher, who coach Earleywine called “arguably one of the best defensive catchers in the country,” will no longer be behind the dish. Her replacement is yet to be decided upon.
“I don’t think we’ll ever find somebody as good as Megan, but I think we can get somebody who’s sound back there,” Earleywine said.
The other question mark appears in center field, where Rhea Taylor performed so well last season. Taylor’s graduation creates an opening Earleywine hopes to fill with one of his speedy young players. Freshman Taylor Gadbois might just be the answer. The Maryland native earned All-State honors twice in high school, and her talent could earn her the starting job in center field this year.
“She’s our fastest kid, and she’s just such a special talent,” Earleywine said. “She could very well be the Rhea Taylor type.”
This 2012 Tigers team lacks some of the star power from last year, but they make up for it with a talented roster of budding players. A 4-0 exhibition record looks good, but Earleywine knows there’s room for improvement
“It’s a constant process of where were we yesterday, now where are we today and that’s been my coaching philosophy since day one,” Earleywine said.
That philosophy has driven the Tigers to the Women’s College World Series the last three years. This team hopes its fresh faces can take them there once more.