Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 1, 2002
2001 RECORD: 43-34, NCAA Region.
COACH: Ken Eriksen (235-120, seventh season).
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Sr. 3B Ginny Georgantas (.295 avg., 23 R, 22 RBIs, 13 2B); Jr. C/1B Courtney Lewellen (.261 avg., team-high 33 RBIs); Jr. SS Renee Oursler (team-high .337 avg., .406 OBA, 32 R, 25 RBIs); So. OF Shelly Riker (C-USA All-Freshman team, .304 avg., .385 OBA, 30 R, 29 SB); Jr. OF Stephanie Roberts (.262 avg., 29 R, 23 SB).
KEY NEWCOMERS: IF/OF/P Corin Tassio, Sarasota Riverview; OF Holly Groves, Seminole; P/UTIL Niki Trowell, Chamberlain.
THE LOWDOWN: USF is picked third in Conference USA, ranked No. 25 in the nation (NFCA/USA Today poll) and looking for its fourth NCAA Region bid in seven seasons. The left side of the infield is the strength; Georgantas and Oursler are all-conference candidates. Pitching is the question mark as workhorse Jessi Kowal graduated. Tassio, a sophomore transfer from Georgia, and Groves, a sophomore transfer from UAB, figure to have an immediate impact at the plate. Tassio also is a candidate to replace Kowal, along with redshirt freshman Katie Dugger from Gaither, Trowell and sophomore left-hander Gail Callinan. The season begins today at the three-day USF Tournament as the Bulls host Northwestern at 3:30 and Tennessee at 5:30.