The West Chester University softball program has welcomed a new sheriff into town and the returning players on this year’s squad couldn’t be happier. First year head coach Diane Lokey, who comes from Division III Elizabethtown University, is a proven winner noted for the ability to mold a promising team into a championship club over night. In short, she understands how to maximize the talents of each player; thus, the 2004 Golden Rams can’t wait to get the season started. Lokey inherits a Golden Ram squad filled with speed, pitching, leadership and a whole lot of freshmen with skills. And yes, they should all produce plenty of runs at the plate.The catalyst for this team will be senior centerfielder Falan Glynn, who last year stroked a .640 on base percentage with 48 hits, nine home runs, three triples, and a team high 16 stolen bases. She will also provide plenty of speed keying the outfield on defense. “Falan Glynn should have a very good year for us. She is very quick, disciplined, has good leadership skills and is a very good defensive and offensive player. She’s the total package,” said Lokey of her co-captain out of Crestwood High School.
The other captain is senior catcher Erin Davis, whose experience will prove monumental, whether it’s calling pitches behind the plate or assisting younger players like back-up freshmen catchers Meghan Borbidge and Bridget Law. The leadership and individual production provided by Davis is vital for success.
The catcher is also very impressed with the new head coach and her daily approach to practice and games. “Coach Lokey is such an awesome coach and we’re really excited to have her. Last year our practices were the same thing over and over. But with Coach Lokey we’re doing something new in practice every day. We go over fundamentals, different game situations, and she really stresses team chemistry,” said Davis.
Throwing to Davis from the mound will be sophomore ace Adina DeHainaut and freshman pitcher Jackie Ludwig. DeHainaut established herself as a proven pitcher going 12-8 with a 2.79 E.R.A. with 60 strikeouts. “I worked very hard in the off-season with my high school pitching coach back home. My shoulder and arm are a lot stronger and I got more confidence,” said DeHainaut. Ludwig is a versatile athlete who changes the speeds of her pitches extremely well and should be a solid number two starter. Although Coach Lokey is undecided on an exact batting order, she is very comfortable with her defense around the diamond, especially in terms of depth. The veteran infield players include Leah Conley, Megan Fuller, and third baseman extraordinaire Joelle Martini, while the outfield includes Krista Goodman, Andrea Pappas, and junior Cortney Skelly. In addition, the Golden Rams welcome seven highly-touted freshmen very hungry for collegiate success. The Magnificent Seven include Borbidge, Ludwig, Law, utility specialist Kimberly Fulmer, basketball player Katie Kreider, outfielder Meghan Mangrelli and versatile athlete Kristen Zabawa.
All these ingredients, believes Lokey and assistant coach Annmarie Brown, will add up to a PSAC playoff berth. “My expectations are very high for this club. We have a lot of talent here and we should be able to definitely compete for a PSAC playoff berth. That is our goal. But I believe chemistry is just as important as talent and this club is really building great chemistry too,” said Lokey, who was able to guide what many media critics felt was an average-at-best Elizabethtown squad to a 30-12 season back in 2002. The new sheriff Diane Lokey has arrived into town and PSAC opponents are taking notice.