Hilbert College

The 2010 Hilbert College softball program is under new management and all the loose pieces are falling into place. First year head coach Peter Yuhas, along with assistants Dave Vesneske and Jeannette Testa, are bringing a tremendous amount of softball experience and knowledge to the program. “The team is responding to our up-tempo approach and the aggressive style of play we’ve implemented for the program” says head coach Yuhas. “Coach Vesneske’s experience (upper levels in the WNY travel programs and national competition) is benefiting our girls in all aspects of the game. Coach Testa, ’06 Hilbert Alumna, knows what it takes to compete at this level and the girls can draw on her experiences” added Yuhas. “Our program’s philosophy is to pressure our opponents both offensively and defensively, and, in order to execute this strategy, the girls will need to put a tremendous amount of physical and mental preparation into this pre-season. The team is responding to the coaches and are embracing the new style of play” said Yuhas.

 

The 2010 Hawks have veteran leadership in their core group of seniors. Returning is a two-time Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) selection (2009- 2^nd team; 2008–1^st team) Rachel Parker (Hamburg, NY/Hamburg) who batted .450 with 5 home runs and a .720 slugging percentage in 2009. “Rachel possesses tremendous softball skills and her leadership on and off the field helps solidify our team,” noted coach Testa. First baseman Sarah Collins (Lewistown, PA/Indian Valley) was named to the 2009 AMCC Honorable Mention team after batting .354 and a .540 slugging percentage jer junior year. “Sarah has one speed – FAST – and her experience helps to solidify our infield and our aggressive style of play,” said coach Vesneske. Senior Carrie Sisson (Elma, NY/Mt. Mercy Academy) will anchor the outfield this year and bat in the leadoff position. “Carrie can hit from both sides of the plate and has tremendous speed on the bases,” remarked coach Yuhas. Fellow senior Melissa Radder (Cheektowaga, NY/Sacred Heart) will see time in the outfield helping to track balls down and turn plays. 

 

Juniors Amanda Ratajczak (Cheektowaga, NY/Maryvale) and Carole Jones (Bliss, NY/ Letchworth) will share the catching duties this spring. Ratajczak batted .322 with 3 homeruns last season and is expected to continue to contribute with big numbers this year. Jones is joining the program for the first time and has shown more growth and improvement than ever expected from a player who took a few years off from the game.

 

Sophomore Halsey Baker (Scio, NY/Scio), who batted .315 last season, will split her time between 3^rd base and the outfield. “Halsey has accepted the challenge of 3^rd base with great enthusiasm and her hard work will be a great asset to the team this year,” added coach Vesneske. Samantha Tedesco (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) rounds out the sophomore class and will build on last season progress.

 

“One of the most exciting aspects of this season and for the next couple of years is our freshman class. We have a great group of rookies and they are egger to win,” said coach Yuhas.  Emili Ripley (Batavia, NY/Notre Dame Catholic) will contribute with her pitching and 3^rd base skills along with speed and power at the plate. Jill Martucci (Hamburg, NY/Hamburg) brings great small ball skills and is expected to play 2^nd base. Two multi-sport athletes expected to have immediate impact are Amber Grosch (Depew, NY/Depew) and Devan Jonathan (Basom, NY/Akron Central). “Amber posses some fantastic skills along with speed and power; we plan on utilizing her strengths and we are confidant she will succeed,” noted coach Vesneske. Jonathan will do some pitching and will see time in the infield; she uses her multi-sport skills to her benefit on the softball diamond. Rounding out the roster is pitcher Rebecca Sutton (Eden, NY/Eden); outfielders Amanda Bednarz (Allegany, NY/Allegany Limestone) and Allison Hall (Tonawanda, NY/Tonawanda); and catcher/outfielder Olivia Battle (Rochester, NY/James Monroe). 

 

The team has adopted a philosophy of “YES WE CAN”. The coaches continuously ask the girls if they can do better tomorrow than they did today. And the team always answers “YES WE CAN!”   “This mindset will bring our program to the next level and build a solid foundation for years to come. We will play an exciting style of softball this year, we have asked the girls to take chances and take the fight to the enemy,” said Yuhas.

 

Hilbert opens the season up at the Fast Pitch Dreams Tournament (Myrtle Beach, SC) on March 14^th. The Hawks are scheduled play eight games in five days before they return to WNY to begin their busy double headers schedule with non-conference games (Geneseo, Nazareth, and Wells) and 10 conference double-header games. By May 2, the top 7 teams will vie for the AMCC’s automatic bid to the Division III NCAA tourney in May.