HAMILTON, N.Y. (12/8/09) - With the loss of five letterwinners, among which includes two first team and one second team all-Patriot League honorees, Colgate softball head coach Vickie Sax, the 2009 Patriot League Coach of the Year, will turn to newcomers Emmie Dolfi (Pleasant Valley, N.Y.), Alana Dyson (Grovetown, Ga.), Courtney O’Connell (Palm Harbor, Fla.), and Natalie Siedhof (Canton, Pa.) in hopes to fill some voids in the line-up.
After watching the seasoned veterans help integrate the talented newcomers in fall drills, Sax believes this class could make a major impact not only on the roster, but within the starting lineup.
“Our freshman class showed great promise this fall semester with some impressive outings,” said Sax. “We expect them to contribute immediately and be impact players from the ‘get go.’ Their enthusiasm and commitment will enhance our competitiveness in the Patriot League.”
Dyson, a four-year letterwinner from Harlem High School, was a two-time first team all-state honoree for Coach Mike Leverette. She also played several years for the Atlanta Vipers Gold travel team. As a senior, she hit .505; had 15 extra base hits, including six triples and stole 31 bases. During the fall campaign, she impressed the Raiders’ coaching staff with the bat as well as on the base paths. Dyson led Colgate in hitting .433 (13 of 30) and stole nine bases. Based on her efforts, she will by vying for a starting position in the outfield and could be at the top spot in the batting order.
Dolfi, who attended Arlington High School and lettered four years in softball for Coach Nancy Schaeffer, was a four-time all-league and all-section honoree. During the summers, she suited up for the CT Charmers Gold travel team. As a senior, she posted a 1.09 earned run average and hit .415 en route to garnering second team all-state accolades. She was a member of two league title teams for the Admirals. In the fall, she was among the top four hitters for Colgate – average wise, hitting .307 (8 of 26). She could see action at either corner position on the infield.
O’Connell was a four-year letterwinner from Palm Harbor University High School, where she played for Coach Chuck Poetter. As a senior, she was named a first team all-Pinellas Country honoree as well as being an honorable mention all-state selection. She played for the Clearwater Lady Bombers travel squad. O’Connell spent most of fall ball on the mound, where she fanned 13 batters, however, could manage to play first, if the opportunity presents itself. She hit .280 with seven hits in 25 at bats.
Siedhof, the sister of current Raider Nicole Siedhof, was a two-sport standout at Canton High School. The younger Siedhof played two seasons of basketball and lettered four years in softball, the last two for her father Todd. As a senior, she was named a second team Class A all-state honoree as a designated player. Siedhof played summer ball for the NY Bad Apples. She brings versatility to the lineup in which she can play second and go behind the plate to catch. It’s not out of the realm of possibility in which she shares time with her sister at catcher. In the fall, she posted six hits and displayed some power with two of those being homers.
Colgate, which is coming off a 25-18 mark in 2009, open the 2010 season with a doubleheader on March 5 in Virginia against Hampton.