United States Coast Guard Academy - Department of Athletics - 2009 Season Preview - Bears Look to Make Run for NEWMAC Title in 2009

Coast Guard has suffered three straight losing seasons, not been to postseason play since 2004 and missed the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) tournament for the second straight season a year ago when the Bears finished 14-24 overall and 6-10 in league play.

Last year, Coast Guard averaged close to six runs per game, but allowed 10 or more runs 17 times, but this season the Bears look to change all of that with the addition of freshman pitcher Hayley Feindel.

Feindel, was a dominant high school pitcher at Lutheran High in New Orleans in 2007 before attending New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) last season. In her senior season, Feindel had a stretch where she threw three consecutive perfect games and retired 69 straight batters, 56 of them by strikeout.

“Hayley is a big, strong, powerful kid who will pitch a bulk of the innings this season. She will no doubt be our workhorse,” said head coach Donna Koczajowski in her 12th season.

Junior Crystal Lee Coonan became just the fourth pitcher in Coast Guard history to pitch 200 innings last season, as she took over the pitching duties early on and went 14-18 with a 5.70 ERA. The lack of pitching depth hurt the Bears a year ago, but this year with Feindel and freshman Nicole Black, the Bears have pitching depth something they have lacked the past few seasons.

“Crystal was slated to be our number two pitcher last season, but she became our ace early on and did a nice job, but she had to pitch 200 innings and that was too many for her. It will be nice do have some depth on the mound this season,” said Koczajowski.

Senior Jeannie Crump is part of a very talented outfield this season.

Coast Guard returns a veteran group which includes seven of its eight starters at the other positions.

Sophomore catcher Amanda Frederick, last season’s NEWMAC Rookie of the Year was first team All-conference and a second team All-Region selection by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). Last year, she set Coast Guard Academy single-season freshman records with seven home runs and 45 RBI. She led the NEWMAC in triples (5), RBI (45) and slugging percentage (.768) while also leading the team in batting average (.424), doubles (12), homers (7) and runs scored (34).

The Bears return a pair of power hitters at the corner infield spots as senior Colleen Denny is back at first base after hitting .313 with five homers and 28 RBI’s last season and junior Courtney Wolf, who hit .342 with five homers and 27 RBI’s will start at third base.

Sophomore Becky Miller, who came on strong late last season, will start at shortstop after hitting .436 in 16 games last season.

The second base position is up for grabs with a trio of freshman, Black, Maddie Buchert and Jamie Kim all battling for time. Buchert and Kim may also see time at third base with Wolf being used as the designated player, while freshman Katarine Martorelli could also see time in the infield, giving coach Koczajowski options.

The veteran outfield which Koczajowski calls, the best she has ever had, features a trio of talented athletes that are complete players and cover a lot of ground in the outfield.

Senior Jeannie Crump is back in left, senior co-captain Annette Boston returns in center while junior co-captain Carin Sweeney starts in right field. Crump, who missed 10 games with an injury last season, hit .359 with 13 RBI’s, Boston hit .271 with 14 RBI’s and 18 stolen bases while Sweeney hit .275 with 14 RBI’s. Sophomore Anna Funk, who is speedy and much improved, will serve as the fourth outfielder. Sophomore Allison Majcher will also battle for time in the outfield.

“We have some great young talent that will impact our program right away and when added to the experienced players, I’m looking forward to this season,” said Koczajowski. “There is so much parity in the NEWMAC this season and we hope to make a run at the conference title and get a postseason berth.”