Fourth in an 8-part series of WAC team previews.Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters
2011 overall record: 17-39
2011 WAC record: 6-15 (sixth place)
Returning starters: 7
It's not often that a team with seven returning starters heads into a rebuilding season. But that could be the case for Louisiana Tech in 2012. Seven starters from Tech's final game a year ago will be back.
Coach Sarah Dawson returns the vast majority of her team's offense from a season ago. But the most important cog for the team as a whole -- All-WAC pitcher Meghan Krieg -- has graduated, leaving a giant void.
Krieg will be long remembered in Ruston for a record-breaking career. She was deservedly named to three consecutive All-WAC teams, including her senior year where her 12-24 record said nothing about the type of pitcher she was. Rarely catching a break, and backed by a team that struggled offensively, Krieg finished with a 2.92 ERA. You had to wonder if she might have finished 24-12 with a little more offense behind her.
Tech played 56 games a year ago and Krieg started 36 of them. She finished third in WAC history in strikeouts (859) and won 50 games over the past three seasons. When there was a marquee opponent or key moment in any game, it was usually Krieg in the circle. And she will be sorely missed.
The remainder of the Lady Techsters' pitching staff last year won just five games in 39 total appearances. Finding a go-to pitcher will be key to Tech having a chance at a successful season.
Dawson went the JC route to pick up junior right-hander Melanie Goff (Grossmont College), who went 43-13 in two seasons of junior college action. Goff twice earned JC all-state honors and finished with an ERA under 2.00. Freshman Savannah Dollar (West Monroe, LA) could also see valuable time in the circle after a stellar high school career.
Returning pitchers Janna Frandrup, who has shined at times and could be in for a breakout season, Erin Kipp and Michelle Jones round out the 5-member pitching staff. Frandrup beat Hawai'i last season and Fresno State the year before.
As strong as Tech was in the circle with Krieg, its offense was often anemic and will need to improve. The Lady Techsters did have flashes of offensive firepower, but too often last season Tech would leave runners stranded or let games get away with defensive miscues.
Cassie Krieg, Meghan's sister, made 21 starts and was the leading hitter on the team with a .300 average. She's back, along with Kendra Harmon and Allie Geisler, the team's leading home run hitter (6) and RBI leader (23) last season.
In all, Dawson will return five players who all started more than 50 games in 2011. Harmon, Geisler and speedy Charday Wilson are the lone seniors on the squad, meaning the 2012 season could be a rebuilding year that sets the tone for an even better 2013.
Tech plays a strong schedule this year with key matchups early in the season. It will be a good chance to see if the Lady Techsters can find a pitcher who can partially make up for the loss of Krieg. Improving on a .229 team batting average that ranked lowest in the WAC will also be key for the Lady Techsters.
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