2015P I O N E E R S

GC PRIDE

Women’sSoftball

The Grinnell College Pioneer softball team has loaded up with some young talent that will help lead the way this season along with some key returners.Head Coach Amanda Reckamp is looking forward to seeing this team take the field and take the challenge of being young head-on.  “We may be young, but there is so much versatility with our players this year where I don’t feel like we lose anything regardless of the defensive lineup,” she said.

The infield will be full of fresh faces that will take on an important defensive load, led by returners Lydia Stariha ’17 and Megan Gibson ’17. Stariha, also a captain and the team’s leading hitter last year with a .358 average, will be a key to the Pioneer defense, as she will be used at shortstop, third, and at catcher. “Lydia had a great season for us last year and she looks refreshed, stronger, and ready to lead this team,” said Reckamp. “When she is on the field, you just know she is driven to get the job done.”

Gibson, who ranked second on the team last year in batting average at .333, will also be looking to be used as more of a utility this year.  “Megan has a great softball mind,” the coach said. “She takes instruction and can put it into action very quickly. That is a huge benefit for us as she will have time on the mound, at shortstop, and at the corners. She ended the season with a pretty hot bat, and I expect that she will be someone we can count on in the lineup.” 

Rounding out the infield will be first-years Melissa Anderson ’18 (P/SS), Kayla Morrissey ’18 (3B/C), Maggie Remus ’18 (P/1B), and third-year Jordan Matosky ’16 (2B).  Anderson and Remus will take on heavy pitching responsibilities in their debut seasons.

“Melissa and Maggie have really been working hard on being consistent, gaining strength, and throwing hard,” said Reckamp. “I believe we will see some of that hard work come to fruition on the field once they adjust to the college game.”

Morrissey just came off a great freshman campaign on the basketball court and is expected to have an impact on the diamond as well.  “Morrissey will be a force for us,” Reckamp said. “She has great hands, has a really great softball mind behind the plate, has a great swing, and you can tell she is having fun regardless of where she is on the field.”  

The outfield will be led by second-year Sage Juveland ’17. “Sage really just has a nose for the ball out there,” the coach explained. “She gets great

jumps and really tracks the ball well.  I’m confident she is one of the better defensive outfielders in the conference.”

Third-year Kristina Weber ’16, another one of the team captains, will be transitioning to the outfield this season and looks to find her footing in the lineup.  First-years Andi Leff ’18 and Heather Roesch ’18 will also be vying for time in the outfield.  “The outfield has improved pretty rapidly over the course of the preseason, even though we haven’t been able to get out on the dirt much,” said Reckamp. “They work well as a unit and will provide us with some aggressiveness that we will need.”

Reckamp hopes to see a change in competitiveness and grit on the field this season by the Pioneers. “Overall, I know we have a shot to be competitive in every game we play,” she said. “We may be young and we may be small in numbers, but this team has a different fire than before.  Once they get on the practice field, they get to work and the atmosphere has been a good balance of fun and competitiveness.

“This team has been committed to improving and really working hard to do all the small things right, which has turned in to a lot of improvement since the fall,” she added. “Offensively, I believe we have hitters balanced throughout the lineup that will get on base and move runners around. We may not be flashy, but I do believe we are scrappy and have the talent to be in every game. I am excited to see the action we put on the field in our first few contests. We are ready to get going for sure!” 

2 0 1 5 S e a s o n P r e v i e wDate Opponent TimeMarch 17 Redlands @ Redlands, Calif. 2 p.m.March 18 Augsburg @ Los Angeles 10 a.m.March 20 Pomona-Pitzer Noon @ Claremont, Calif.March 21 Hamline @ Claremont, Calif. NoonMarch 25 MacMurray 3 p.m.March 26 Greenville 3 p.m.March 28 AIB College of Business 1 p.m.April 4 WESTMINSTER 1 p.m.April 7 Buena Vista 4:30 p.m.April 10–12 MWC Crossover @ Janesville, Wis. 10: Beloit # 1 p.m. 10: Lawrence # 3 p.m. 11: Ripon # 1 p.m. 12: St. Norbert # 10 a.m. 12: Carroll # NoonApril 15 CORNELL # 3 p.m.April 18 Knox # 1 p.m.April 19 Illinois College # 1 p.m.April 21 IOWA WESLEYAN 3:30 p.m.April 25 LAKE FOREST # 1 p.m.April 26 MONMOUTH 1 p.m.May 1–2 MWC Tournament TBA @ North Division Champ.

All dates are doubleheaders except Pomona-Pitzer and MWC Crossover.Home games are in CAPS.# Midwest Conference game

GC PRIDEThe term “GC Pride” was coined in recent years to express the honor and privilege involved in being a part of Grinnell College athletics.

The Grinnell student-athlete takes pride in committing to academic excellence, having a strong and healthy mind and body, being a passionate and accountable leader, exhibiting integrity in competition and in daily life, and embracing diversity and self-governance.

This is GC PRIDE!

2015 R o s t e r

2015 Grinnell College Women’s Softball Team

Front row (l-r): Sage Juveland, Andi Leff, Kayla Morrissey, Jordan Matosky, Heather Roesch, Lydia Stariha.

Back row (l-r): Kristina Weber, Megan Gibson, assistant coach Christie Mohlke, head coach Amanda Reckamp, assistant coach Brianna Gallo, Melissa Anderson, Maggie Remus.

2 Melissa Anderson MIF/P R/R 5-7 Fy. Waukegan, Ill./Waukegan

15 Heather Roesch OF L/L 5-8 Fy. Iowa City, Iowa/City High

7 Kristina Weber C/1B R/R 5-9 Jr. Indianola, Iowa/Indianola

18 Lydia Stariha C/SS R/R 5-7 So. LaSalle, Ill./ St. Bede Academy

4 Andi Leff OF R/R 5-5 Fy. Cherry Hill, N.J./ Cherry Hill East

17 Maggie Remus P/1B R/R 5-9 Fy. St. Charles, Ill./ St. Francis Preparatory

16 Jordan Matosky 2B/OF L/L 5-6 Jr. Lafayette, Colo./Centaurus

8 Sage Juveland OF R/R 4-11 So. Naperville, Ill./Fenwick

22 Kayla Morrissey C/3B R/R 5-10 Fy. Burr Ridge, Ill./ Lyons Township North

Head Coach Amanda Reckamp

Assistant Coach Christie Mohlke

Manager Alissa Hirsh

Manager Anne Boldt

Assistant CoachBrianna Gallo

11 Megan Gibson P/UT R/R 5-6 So. Fort Dodge, Iowa/ Fort Dodge

Amanda Reckamp was named Grinnell College’s head softball coach in June 2010.

During Coach Reckamp’s first season at Grinnell, she helped lead two all-conference selections, one Capital One Academic All-District selection, six NFCA All-Scholar Athletes, three individual school records, an Honor G Scholastic award winner, and the winner of the College’s Joyce Buck ’56 Award.

In 2012, there were continued improvements that produced a Les Duke Freshman of the Year winner, Grace McIlrath-Parker ’11 Award, five NFCA All-Scholar Athletes, an all-conference selection, and an individual career school record.  In the first two seasons under Coach Reckamp there have also been 15 Academic All-Conference athletes.

Before coming to Grinnell, Reckamp served as assistant softball coach at Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., since 2007. She was also assistant women’s basketball coach at the school during the 2007–08 campaign and as assistant sports information director from 2004–2007.

She graduated from Westminster in 2007 with a bachelor’s in secondary education with a concentration in business and minor in entrepreneurial studies. In 2009, Reckamp earned her master’s

in athletic administration and activities from William Woods University in Fulton. She is also a graduate of the NCAA Women’s Coaches Academy and leads the Women’s Loop Group in the athletic department. 

Reckamp enjoyed a successful career as a catcher for Westminster that included Academic All-American recognition from CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). She set school records for RBIs in a game (six) and season (31), home runs in a season (nine), and most putouts in a season (217) and career (402). Reckamp served as team captain from 2005 to 2007, twice earned all-conference honors, and once was named all-region.

As a senior, she led her team in batting average (.393), hits (44), doubles (nine), home runs (nine), and putouts (217). She was named the school’s Co-Female Athlete of the Year in 2007. During her time at William Woods, Reckamp served as area coordinator of residential life.

In addition to her softball duties, Reckamp is coordinator of faculty and staff wellness and co-adviser for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Reckamp lives in Grinnell with her dog Ozzie.

Head Coach Amanda Reckamp

Assistant Coach Brianna Gallo ’11

Assistant Coach Christie Mohlke

Brianna Gallo returns to Grinnell, where she enjoyed a stellar athletic career in both softball and basketball.

A three-time All-Midwest Conference first-team selection in softball, Gallo holds Grinnell stolen base records for a game (five), season (21), and career (59). She is also tied for first in hits in a game.

Gallo also ranks among the Pioneers’ top 10 in career at bats (349), hits, (116), batting average (.332), runs (64), and sacrifice hits (14).

As a member of the Pioneers’ basketball team, Gallo finished among the program’s top performers in career steals (147) and assists (215).

She lives in Grinnell with her dog Nokona.

Christie Mohlke joined the softball staff in fall of 2014.  Mohlke, originally from Tennessee, played softball at Austin Peay State University.  After graduating from Austin Peay with a degree in marketing, she served as a graduate assistant for Cumberland University, where she earned her M.B.A.

At Grinnell, she is assistant director of career development and internships.

Mohlke’s main responsibilities are with the pitching staff and the outfield.

GRINNELL COLLEGE PHYSICAL EDUCATION/ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT MISSION STATEMENTThe Department of Physical Education (athletics, recreation and wellness) contributes to the liberal education of the campus community by offering intercollegiate sport and recreational, intramural, and wellness activities. Valuing and embracing all forms of diversity, the department provides opportunities that stimulate personal growth and awareness within an inclusive, gender-equitable environment.

AthleticsSport practices, as well as competitive experiences, instill sportsmanship and fair play.

Participants benefit from an integrated, cocurricular experience that upholds the academic mission of the College as the department provides individualized and group instruction in a safe environment, celebrates academic excellence, and emphasizes experiential learning.

Physical Education By offering group and individualized instruction through activity classes that promote skill development and physical fitness, the department aims to encourage members of the community to enjoy personal well-being and develop lifelong wellness.

Theoretical-based sport courses contribute to the College’s lively academic community, emphasizing written and oral discourse, critical thinking, and practical experiences. Coursework helps students gain new knowledge that equips them for life and work beyond Grinnell.

Wellness and RecreationAs part of physical education, wellness and recreation encourage both a sound body and sound mind. Live Well Grinnell, intramurals, outdoor recreation (GORP), and PE activity classes provide opportunities and support for all members of the Grinnell community (students, staff, faculty) as they seek their vision of optimal wellness in all dimensions. The Charles Benson Bear ’39 Recreation and Athletic Center provides accessible state-of-the-art spaces for a variety of wellness and recreation activities.

G a m e R e s u l t s • S c h e d u l e s • I n f o r m a t i o n > p i o n e e r s . g r i n n e l l . e d u • A l l a t h l e t i c e v e n t s a r e f r e e a n d o p e n t o t h e p u b l i c .