SOFTBALL 2005: Fresh from California

With the addition of a tenacious trio of freshmen, the Harvard softball team has found three more reasons to be optimistic about its prospects in the upcoming Ivy League season.

The “Freshman Tripod,” as they have christened themselves, consists of pitchers Shelly Madick and Amanda Watkins, and first baseman-outfielder Danielle Kerper.

“I would consider them all impact freshmen,” Harvard coach Jenny Allard said.

While they expect to contribute to the squad in different ways, all three are noticeably sanguine about the team’s prospects and willing to take on any role necessary to win.

Perhaps their optimism may be traced to their home state—all three hail from sunny California. But Allard denied rumors that the Golden State receives preferential treatment.

“These were three of our top kids, and they all happened to be from Southern California,” she said.

HARVARD(-WESTLAKE) RULES

With an effective rise ball and deceptive changeup, Encino, Calif. native Shelly Madick is poised to become a key Crimson hurler in the coming years.

Her focus, however, is on the team’s success, part of which will rely on versatile pitching.

“This pitching staff as a whole is really effective,” Madick said. “We’re all really effective against different kinds of hitting—we have everything you really need and I think that’s what makes our staff so good.”

What makes her so good?

“I eat Lucky Charms before big games,” Madick said.

While her luck has not been infallible so far, she has had some strong outings and has kept opposing teams to a lower batting average than any other Harvard pitcher.

After excelling for three years at Harvard-Westlake High School, Madick relishes the chance to play at the collegiate level.

“In high school I felt like I was pushing everybody else,” she said. “Once you get to college ball, you’re a ballplayer.”

Madick has proven her prowess as a ballplayer early, with a tremendous home opener performance against Rhode Island on Tuesday in which she fanned 12 batters.

“It’s like the first time all season that I feel like I’ve come out and shut people down in terms of striking out the batters,” Madick said.

Her total of 21 strikeouts leads all Crimson pitchers.

OCHO

Amanda Watkins, known to most as “A-Wat” or “Ocho,” is poised to immediately bolster Harvard’s rotation.

The righty from Placentia, Calif., along with Madick, hopes to fill the gap left by the loss of co-Ivy League Pitcher of the Year Kara Brotemarkle ’04 on the hill for the Crimson.

While Watkins has been less than perfect so far this season—her ERA is hovering at 5.51—she clearly possesses the stuff to excel at the college level, most notably a stellar changeup.

“Every girl who plays in college is here for a reason,” Watkins said. “Everyone has a specific skill that they’re here for.”

Watkins came to Harvard with big-game potential, having thrown a perfect game for her El Dorado High School against rival Tustin in May 2004. More recently, she tossed a one-run complete game against Drexel on March 31 as the Crimson snapped a nine-game losing streak.

Her early importance to the team can be seen in her stat line, as she leads the pitchers in starts (5), appearances (9), and innings pitched (25.2).

KERP’S PERKS

Rounding out the “Tripod” is Danielle Kerper, who has quickly made a name for herself as one of the most promising young hitters in the Ivy League.

She leads Harvard in RBI with 10­—the next closest hitter has two. Kerper is also the team leader in slugging percentage (.531), home runs (2), and total bases (17) after 14 games.

To complement Watkins’ complete game against Drexel, Kerper went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and a triple, and launched a first-inning grand slam against Providence the day before.

So what should opposing pitchers avoid throwing her way?

“I like pitches low and outside,” said Kerper, who was captain of the La Jolla Country Day squad for her junior and senior years. “I don’t swing at inside balls.”

Impressed with Kerper’s slugging stroke and mature attitude, Allard has designated the rookie the heir apparent to senior Cecily Gordon at first base.

“I look for her to get time this year as an outfielder and designated player, a hitter in the lineup and as a backup to Cecily,” Allard said. “Next year, we’re planning to move her to first.”

In the meantime, Kerper leaves no doubt of her expectations for the team.

“I tell myself every day we’re going to win Ivies,” Kerper said.

Her bat may end up being a big reason why.