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Jan. 8, 2002

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - After winning seven of its final nine games and making a run in the Trans America Athletic Conference Tournament last season, Head Coach Mark Voisard feels his Samford Bulldogs are on the verge of history heading into the 2002 season.

The Bulldogs have never had a winning season in the 14 year-history of the program, but Voisard thinks that coming off the successful end of the season run and with addition of more offensive firepower to the line up that 2002 will be the year the Bulldogs move into a contender's role in the Atlantic Sun.

There are many reasons for Voisard's optimism. The first is last year's finish. Samford began the season 3-14 after its first three tournaments in February. As the temperature warmed up so did the Bulldogs. Samford went 23-23 the rest of the season to finish with an overall 26-37 record. The Bulldogs were 8-6 in TAAC play finishing fifth in the conference standings. Samford won its last five regular season games and then upset the number two and four seeds in the TAAC tournament to finish in third place.

"I felt we were playing our best at the end of the season." Said Voisard. "Our pitching was strong down the stretch, our bats came around at the end of the year and our finish in the conference tournament shows that we have the talent to compete for a championship in this league."

A second reason for optimism is the return of an experienced line-up, which includes second-team all-TAAC catcher Angela Bednark, TAAC All-Tournament team member Michelle Wright and two All-Freshmen team members Erin Landsburg and Abi Casillo plus Janet Middleton who was an All-TAAC second team selection two seasons ago.

The Bulldogs have a wealth of experience with only one freshman and four sophomores on the roster. Three of the four sophomores were starters last season. The addition of three junior college transfers gives the Bulldogs nine upperclassmen that are eager to make a run in the Atlantic Sun.

"This is an experienced team, I think we have more balance and depth than we have ever had at Samford," says Voisard. "There is not much difference from the caliber of player in the starting lineup and coming off the bench."

Pitching
The only area of concern for Voisard and the Bulldogs is the loss of three-time All-TAAC pitcher Brianne Mertens. Mertens graduated as the Samford record holder in 12 pitching categories. "Brianne was a great pitcher and we are certainly going to miss her but we have two pitchers right now that we are excited about." Says Voisard. Erin Landsburg (Tucson, Ariz.) is coming off an All-Freshman team season. She finished the regular season without giving up an earned run in 21 innings. She had the third lowest ERA in school history at 1.99 despite an 8-14 record. "Erin had a solid freshman season," said Voisard. "She pitched in some bad luck but she is a great competitor. She is still learning and will continue to get better." Joining Landsburg in the circle will be Amber Fuller (Pelham, Ala.). Fuller is a transfer from the University of Alabama-Huntsville. "Amber is a solid pitcher, she comes from a very successful division two program and is a very good addition to our team." Said Voisard.

"Our defense is going to have to help our pitchers out this season more than last. We are not going to strike as many people out this year but our pitchers both have good control and will keep the ball on the ground." Said Voisard.

Infield:
The pitching staff would do well to have opposing hitters hit to the left side of the infield where seniors Mindy Shunnarah (Alabaster, Ala.) and Janet Middleton (Chattanooga, Tenn.) patrol. "Mindy is a quality shortstop, she is the leader of the team, and has gotten better with each season." Said Voisard, "Janet has a great arm at third base, knows where to be on every play. Both players have an outstanding work ethic and are great leaders on the team." Shunnarah was the MVP at the Samford Invitational. She had four home runs and six doubles and was second on the team with ten stolen bases as the lead off hitter a year ago. Middleton is the career doubles leader in Samford history. She had 14 doubles, three home runs, and 18 RBI last season.

On the right side of the infield, Rebekah Phillips (Hueytown, Ala.) is in her second season at second base. "Rebekah has quick feet and a good arm. Her defensive ability is her strongest asset." Said Voisard. At first base, Deanna Resmondo (Birmingham, Ala.) and Tammy Stevens (Hueytown, Ala.) will share time. Both are transfers from Jefferson State Community College. Resmondo was a NJCAA pre-season All-American last season. She has power to all fields and will be counted on as a run producer. Stevens is thought to be a little better defensively and will hit for average. Either player could step into a designated player role when they are not at first base. "Deanna and Tammy will both add power to our line up." Says Voisard. "Deanna will hit for a little more power while Tammy will hit for a little higher average but we expect to get production from both of them either at first base or as the DP."

The squad's only freshman, Kelly Smith (Chattanooga, Tenn.) rounds out the infielders. She is a middle infielder who is expected to see time at either second base or shortstop. "With seniors at second base and shortstop it will be key for Kelly to gain experience this year." Says Voisard. "She is a good hitter who could pinch-hit in key situations, but this is a good chance for her to gain experience and move into a starting role next year."

Outfield
Two-thirds of Samford's all-Michelle outfield returns for the 2002 season. Michelle Wright (Carmel, Ind.) set a school-record by hitting 18 doubles last season. She also led the team in runs batted in with 22. Wright has been a two-year starter in right field and a strong and accurate arm. "Michelle Wright is a hard nosed player who does what it takes to win." Said Voisard. "She is a solid outfielder, and gap hitter, and an all-round player whose numbers get better and better each season." Wright hit .269 as a freshman and .278 as a sophomore. Michelle Dickey (Fishers, Ind.) will be in left field. Dickey was a catcher her first two season before being moved to the outfield last season. She has a strong arm and gained experience in the outfield last season. In center field will be Abi Casillo (Marietta, Ga.) Casillo was named to the TAAC All-freshman team a year ago. She was second on the team with a .279 batting average, she had 15 extra base hits including three triples and four home runs. "Abi has a lot of raw talent," says Voisard. "She has good speed, a good arm, hits well for power and average."

Sarah Godfrey (Simpsonville, S.C.) and Dana Saffles (Springville, Ala.) will both compete for playing time in the outfield. Godfrey is continuing to make the adjustment to the college game as a sophomore. She has good speed while Saffles is a transfer for Gadsden State Community College. She can play either the outfield or first base and has the speed to be used in pinch runner situations.

Catcher:
The catching duties will once again fall on second-team All-TAAC catcher Angela Bednark (Prospect, Ky.). Bednark set a freshman record by belting five home runs to go along with six doubles and 17 RBI. "Angela is surprisingly quick with her footwork, she has a great arm, and handles the pitchers very well for a young catcher." Says Voisard. "She has good instincts for the game and is an offensive weapon as well." Bednark was second on the team as a freshman with a .430 slugging percentage and was named to the all-tournament team at the Samford Invitational.

Schedule:
The Bulldogs will once again face a challenging schedule that will include tournaments at Alabama, Chattanooga, Dayton, and Florida as well as doubleheaders against Auburn, Georgia Tech, and Tennessee. The Atlantic Sun Conference will feature 10 teams this season with the addition of Belmont and UCF. The A-Sun tournament will be held in Troy, Ala., after four years in Boca Raton, Fla. Five-time defending conference champion Florida Atlantic will be in Birmingham on April 11. Samford will host two mid-season tournaments this year. The Bulldogs will host Wagner, Alabama State, and Alcorn State on Feb. 15-17, and the Magic City Classic with UAB and Birmingham-Southern on March 8-9.

"This year's schedule will be tough," says Voisard. "We have five SEC schools, two ACC schools, and Wisconsin and Maine this year before our Atlantic Sun schedule. Plus UAB and Birmingham-Southern so it will be a challenge but I think our team is ready to face a schedule like this."