2010 Cardinal Softball As the spring season approaches, the 2010 Lady Cardinal softball team looks to build upon its strong finish in the 2009 season.   The Cards return 10 players from last year’s team that finished 23-24 overall and 10-10 in the WVIAC.  After suffering a number of early season injuries and lineup changes, the Cards rebounded to finish the season strong, ending the regular season in 6th place out of 15 teams in the WVIAC.  The Cards also played well in the conference tournament, posting a 4-2 record before bowing out with an 8-7 loss in the semi-finals to eventual champion WV Wesleyan.  Head Coach Bill Vasko is hoping to build on 2009’s season-ending momentum as they enter the early portion of a tough non-conference schedule.  Vasko will be looking to senior captains Ashley McSweeney and Angela Petros to lead the charge when the Cardinals take the field in 2010. A 1st team all-conference selection in 2008, McSweeney suffered a season-ending injury during the first week of the season in 2009.  Putting in a tremendous amount of work in the off-season, McSweeney is looking forward to getting back on the field and regaining her form from 2008.  An OVAC product from New Martinsville, WV, McSweeney is a former WVIAC Freshman Player of the Year, winning the award in 2007.  McSweeney, who will be manning the shortstop position, led the team offensively in 2008 with a .388 batting average, 33 runs scored, 16 doubles, 2 triples, and 4 home runs.  She was also second on the team with 25 RBI’s.  This past year, Ashley was named to the WVIAC all-academic team.   Petros, an outfielder from Wheeling, WV, was a WVIAC Honorable Mention selection in 2009 and also earned a spot on the WVIAC All-Tournament team.  Angela concluded the 2009 season 3rd on the team with 6 home runs and 2nd on the team with 26 RBI’s.  Her season was highlighted with a WVIAC Player of the Week award when she had 10 hits in 20-at bats, including a pair of grand-slam home runs, three doubles, and 11 RBI’s during the week. Petros was also named to the WVIAC all-academic team. The 2010 squad will also be led by seniors Jordan Burkhart, Rachelle Carello, and Courtney Kurowski. Burkhart, a native of Parkersurg, WV, will see time in the outfield and the designated player role.  Burkhart’s role increased throughout the 2009 season as she delivered timely hits in clutch situations.  Jordan had key RBI’s in wins over Shepherd in the regular season and Alderson Broaddus in the conference tournament.  This past year, Jordan was named to the WVIAC all-academic team. Kurowski, who hails from Amity, Pa., will once again anchor the third base position for the Cards in 2010.  Courtney was selected to the WVIAC Honorable Mention team following a 2009 season that saw her hit .288 with 22 RBI’s, a team-leading 10 doubles, and 8 blasts that landed on the other side of the fence.  One of those blasts was a towering shot that helped eliminate WV State from the conference tournament.   After splitting time between catcher and outfield in 2009, Carello will man the centerfield position and will also be making appearances on the mound for the first time since 2008.  Rachelle is a native of Freedom, Pa.  During the 2009 season, Rachelle’s bat got hotter as the season progressed, as she finished the season with a .293 batting average, 9 doubles and 14 RBI’s. After appearing in 30 games in the infield and outfield in 2008, junior Gina Hicks saw action in 33 games in 2009, primarily at the catcher’s position.  A product of Buckeye Local High School, Hicks will continue to see action behind the dish in 2010. Returnees in the sophomore class include Olivia Wamsley, Jaime Donato, and Sam Kozbial. Wamsley, a Westerville, Ohio native, saw action primarily on the mound in 2009 and also saw time at second base.  Olivia finished the season with a 7-15 record and a 3.45 ERA, recording 70 strikeouts in 146 innings pitched.  She finished the season strong, earning a spot an the WVIAC all-tournament team. Coming to WJU via Boonsboro, Maryland, Donato contributed at first base, second base, and DP in 2009.  As a freshman, Jaime collected 75 at-bats in 35 games played.  She will once again look to compete for playing time in the infield and as the DP. After suffering a season-ending injury early in 2009, Kozbial is looking to return to action in 2010, competing for playing time in the infield.  Sam is a native of Austintown, Ohio and a product of Austintown Fitch High School. Newcomers looking to make an impact in 2010 include junior pitcher Heather Hoyt and sophomore pitcher/3B Allie Schultz.  Freshman looking to see action this spring include first baseman Aleecia Sunagel, outfielder Sam Macioce, infielder Brianna Gatley, and infielder/catcher Shaynna Johnson. Vasko will once again be assisted by 2008 Ashland University graduate and Buckeye Valley High School product, Amanda Thomas.   Wheeling Jesuit opens the season at home on February 27th versus IUP.  They will then travel to the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Florida and open play on March 7th.  Upon returning north, the Lady Cards will begin conference play at home versus Charleston on March 17th and will then participate in a competitive tournament in Salem, Virginia on March 19th – 21st.