The 2015 regular season has arrived. Here are five IU softball players to watch for as the season gets underway.
5. Sophomore Catcher/Infielder CaraMia Tsirigos
Tsirigos is looking to continue where she left off during her freshman campaign. During the 2014 season, she appeared in 42 games and recorded a .364 on-base percentage while hitting six home runs and driving in 16 runs.
But where Tsirigos shines is in the field. She recorded 221 putouts and committed only three errors, making her one of the best defensive players not only on this IU team, but in the nation.
With Indiana having to fill the loss of infielder Breanna Saucedo, Tsirigos is projected to appear in more games this season and have the opportunity to increase her numbers from last season.
4. Junior Catcher Kassi Farmer
Farmer put up impressive numbers at the plate last season, as she appeared in every game. Farmer hit just under .300 and knocked in 23 RBIs with a team-high seven home runs.
Her clutch hitting earned her a .494 slugging percentage, also a team high. With incoming players who have a history of getting on base, Farmer is likely to have more opportunities to increase her 2014 numbers.
3. Senior Outfielder Shannon Cawley
After being sidelined for the 2014 season, Cawley is returning to the field. In her first two seasons, Cawley hit .301, combining for 93 hits, 44 runs and 47 RBIs, including a team best 26 RBIs in 2013.
With Cawley fully healthy, she offers a plate presence this Indiana team has been lacking. Without Cawley in the lineup, the Hoosiers average just 2.89 runs per game. With her, the Hoosiers average 3.38 runs per game.
Look for Cawley to continue to create opportunities for hitters both behind and in front of her in the lineup.
2. Freshman Outfielder Rebecca Blitz
Blitz is one of eight new players that make up the 2015 freshman class for this young IU softball team. Blitz played four years of softball at Mountain Brook High in Birmingham, Ala., where she put up big numbers.
In 2013, Blitz led her high school team with a .541 batting average, .566 on-base percentage and 40 stolen bases on her way to being named first team all-state. Blitz improved upon those numbers in her senior season.
She batted .583, had a .659 on-base percentage and stole 34 bases, earning her the title of Birmingham News Metro Player of the Year.
Her ability to get on base — and to create chaos when she does — has already brought her coaches, teammates and fans excitement for her career.
1. Senior Pitcher Lora Olson
Olson is gearing up to begin her last season in an IU uniform. Olson has won 28 games, gone the distance in 26 complete games, racked up 249 strikeouts and recorded a 4.15 ERA in three seasons at IU.
She has been the go-to starter for the past three years and is the captain of the team. Her last season has the potential to be the best of her career.
The right-handed player said she doesn’t want to think about this being her last season of softball, but she does want to go out there and enjoy every last second of what’s left.
The Hoosiers begin their season Monday with a doubleheader against Western Michigan and Oregon State at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. Look for these five players and the rest of this IU softball team to come out swinging.
