Marked improvement

The Pittsburg State softball program struggled in 2011 — finishing with a 13-35 record — and former head coach Annette Hunt-Shepherd resigned after her first season.

Despite losing seven of its final 10 games in 2012, including four straight and both Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association postseason tournament games last Thursday, Pitt State more than doubled its 2011 win total (finishing 29-28, a 16-win improvement), broke several school records (team and individual, single-season and career), had its star player win conference player of the year, and tied the school record for most consecutive wins in a season (15) under first-year head coach Elizabeth Economon.

"I wouldn't say satisfied," Economon said on Monday. "I think we're off to the right start. We had just as many setbacks as we did successes."

Pitt State won its first game of the season in the St. Leo Invitational against then No. 6 Valdosta State, 4-3. Senior shortstop Amanda DeCastro missed a 12-game stretch of the season in February and March, giving younger players more opportunity to develop and shine, and Pitt State clicked after her return, winning 15 straight from March 13-April 4.

Economon said that pitching and inexperience cost the Gorillas in home games against Missouri Western and Emporia State, two nationally-ranked MIAA teams in the NCAA field of 64 released Monday. Close losses against Western (3-2), Missouri Southern (8-6), Washburn (9-8), Fort Hays State (7-5) and two against Central Missouri (4-3, 10-9) demonstrated that Pitt State was closing in on the MIAA but still has room for improvement and growth in upcoming seasons.

"If we talk two years from now, we won't have the same conversation," Economon said.

DeCastro enjoyed a season where the numbers speak for themselves — .439 batting average, 42 runs scored, 69 hits, 16 doubles, three triples, 17 home runs, 55 RBI, 142 total bases, .904 slugging percentage, 12 walks and nine strikeouts, .482 on-base percentage and .922 fielding percentage in 45 games played. Her numbers and her impact on the Gorillas earned her MIAA Player of the Year, as her career traveled full circle since winning Freshman of the Year in 2009.

"She's a stud," Economon said. "She's a great kid, a great competitor. She is easy to work with, she understands the game, she wants to win more than anybody else on the field and players like her don't come around very often. Hopefully, the awards will keep piling on up. We hope to get her on All-Region and All-America teams when those come out. I've had a few coaches come up and tell me they're glad she's gone. She did a lot of damage in those four years."

Her 17 homers set a new single-season record and her 46 career homers are the new PSU benchmark. She averaged one home run per 9.2 at-bats in 2012.

Nationally, she ranks fifth in Division II in slugging percentage, tied for ninth in homers, tied for sixth in homers per game, 35th in batting average and eighth in RBI per game, statistics last updated on Sunday.

Sophomore designated hitter Tiffany Brown broke the school record for home runs in a season before DeCastro passed her and she ended 2012 with a .390 batting average, 42 runs scored, 67 hits, 14 doubles, 15 homers, 51 RBI, .733 slugging percentage and .437 on-base percentage. Not a bad season for a first-year full-time hitter.

During her freshman season, Brown spent a lot more time pitching than hitting, 24 at-bats compared to a team-high 29 appearances and 25 starts in the circle.

"We saw early on that Tiffany could really swing it," Economon said. "She proved herself in practice and in games that she could hit. We thought it was a no-brainer."

In 2012, Brown posted a 3-6 record and 5.61 ERA, starting nine games and pitching in 23 for her 62.1 innings.

Meanwhile, senior Hilary Erbert switched from playing first base her junior season to becoming the ace of the pitching staff. Erbert hit .254 with one homer and 13 RBI in 44 games last season.

"We knew we were short on pitching and she indicated that she had some pitching experience," Economon said. "It was not her first inclination to pitch, but she said that she was willing to do whatever it takes for the team."

As the Gorillas' No. 1 pitcher in 2012, Erbert finished 13-14 with a 3.26 earned run average, 167.2 innings pitched, 215 hits allowed, 78 earned runs allowed, 65 walks and 70 strikeouts.

"Hilary is the epitome of leadership," Economon said in a quote on Erbert she prepared for the Outstanding Student-Athlete Recognition last Thursday. "She is self-motivated and has a phenomenal work ethic. She has played an integral role in the softball program in her career and this year has been no different. Hilary embodies exactly what every coach wants in a student-athlete. There are not enough words to express her importance to our program."

Freshman outfielder-pitcher Cheslyn Mitchell improved throughout her first collegiate season and by the end of it had accumulated a .439 batting average, 51 games played and 50 starts, 46 runs scored, 66 hits, 21 doubles, six homers, 43 RBI, 105 total bases and .476 on-base percentage.

Her 21 doubles led the Gorillas and her doubles per game average ranks tied for 10th in the nation. She earned a spot on the All-MIAA first team.

"I am glad she’s young," Economon said. "She just hits all day. So versatile, so talented, a great hitter, she brought something different to the lineup and she got stronger and stronger as the season went on."

In the circle, Mitchell led PSU in winning percentage, winning seven and losing three in her 10 decisions.
Economon compared Mitchell’s season in the circle with a rollercoaster but said that Mitchell gained a ton of ground pitching.

Sophomore outfielder Brenna George had a breakout season with a .347 batting average, 51 runs scored, 68 hits, two doubles, seven triples, one homer, 14 RBI and 22 stolen bases. George led PSU in runs scored, triples and stolen bases. George ranks tied for eighth in triples in Div. II.

"She’s the kind of slapper that everybody wants," Economon said. "She can pull it and has power in her bat."

In 2011, George hit .175 (20-for-114) with three RBI and 10 steals.

"She worked hard and dedicated herself to improving," Economon said. "She wanted to be that anchor in the outfield."

Junior catcher-first baseman Kreslee Ketcham led PSU with 56 games played and 56 starts this season. In 2011, Ketcham played and started in all 48 PSU games and played in 48 and started in 44 of 50 games her freshman season.

"She performed well this season," Economon said. "There’s a lot more in store for her. Her intangibles are so much an integral part of our success."

The Gorillas established team records with 59 homers and 96 doubles.

On the 21-player roster in 2012, seven players were upperclassmen and nine freshmen led the underclassmen total. Mitchell, Alex Perez, Riley Campbell, Devon McCreath, Molly Stiens and McKenzie Rynard all made at least 19 starts. Economon said that she and assistant coach Cayte Billman lucked out in having young players who were self-sufficient and self-motivated.

Economon played at Truman State from 2001-2004, where she was an All-American shortstop three seasons and won MVP of the MIAA in 2002 and 2003. She holds school records in home runs, runs scored, runs batted in, total bases, walks, slugging percentage and batting average.

Following her playing career, Economon coached at Truman (assistant), New Mexico (volunteer assistant), V. Sue Cleveland (N.M.) High School (head coach) and Southeast Missouri State (assistant) before coming to Pittsburg.

Like other coaches, Economon said that she fell in love with the community.

"I’ve been quite a few places and it took a while to feel comfortable," Economon said. "From the moment I stepped on campus, you could feel it. That was a great feeling and I appreciate the administrative support and the overall commitment to excellence at PSU. It’s not like that at every university. And the fans have so much enthusiasm for softball and baseball here."