2006 Softball Preview

Published: April 13, 2021

GREENVILLE, Ill. - The 2006 Panthers look to take some more strides up the conference ladder this year. Last year, the Panthers brought in 12 new players to the team. That "young" group helped GC improve from a 2-10 conference record in 2004 to a 7-5 mark in the conference in 2005, earning them a conference tournament berth and six all-conference selections.Head coach Brian Reinhard, for the first time since taking the program in 2002, will not have assistant Ivan Estevez in the spring. Estevez is now the hometown high school head coach, but will still assist with the fall season. Recent graduate Brianne (Cook) Ozment will be the other assistant coach, and Tiffani Riggers begins a position as recruiting coordinator.The Panthers only lose two players to graduation from the 2005 squad, but they were both all-conference players last year. Four-year senior and SLIAC second team all-conference outfielder Courtney Bruce and honorable mention outfielder Brianne Cook both graduated in 2005. They were two of the teams top run producers and anchored a solid defensive outfield.Key returners to the 2006 edition of the Panthers include three seniors, Stacey Murfin, who earned first team all conference honors for her utility work on the mound and as designated hitter; Ashley Mosley, who will play her third year for the Panthers as a utility player at any infield or outfield position; and Jamie Ash, a 2005 transfer catcher from Olney Community College who will bring good experience to the backstop position for her senior year.GC will bring back only two juniors in 2006, but also brings one in from Shawnee Community College. Kristen Stuckemeyer will be the frontrunner for the shortstop position, having started almost every game there for the last two years. Somer Speckhart hopes to fully recover from shoulder surgery and help an already strong pitching staff. Jennifer Dickey, a good athlete transferring from SCC, will be a great utility addition to the team.The Panthers will return a large and talented sophomore class for next year and expect that the experience gained last season will make them even better. Eight sophomores should be returning for the Panthers. SLIAC first-team selection at second base, Talitha Engelhardt from Pinckneyville, led the team in hitting and promises to provide good production next year. Cara Wagner from Collinsville will again provide good speed on the bases and roam center field for the Panthers. Another Collinsville native, Julie Murphy will return to work at first base and designated hitter. Erin O?hara from Arizona returns at the hot corner and will also provide key offensive punch in the middle of the order.Elizabeth Cunningham will share duties with Ash behind the plate as well as provide a strong bat in the middle. Michelle Westlake from Indiana will provide good consistency both at the plate and in the outfield. Valerie Fritscher gained valuable college exposure as freshmen on the mound and will continue to help a deep pitching staff in '06.Speaking of the pitching depth, that brings us to the newest members of the Panther squad. Freshman pitcher Dana Fleshren from Belleville East High School should be able to bring her experience from a quality program and provide immediate help to the staff.A maturing team, while still fairly young, promises to provide some exciting softball next spring. The depth of pitching and team speed should help the 2006 version of the GC Panthers to once again contend in the conference and be competitive with any team on their schedule. Please come see us play!