Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Director, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

3/5/2008
Story by Tyler Cundith

Softball Preview

 The Johnson County Community College softball program embarked on a new era last season.   Former JCCC All-American and assistant coach Kelly Latendresse became the sixth head coach in the history of the program, taking over for Frank Barnes.

Latendresse had an amazing inaugural campaign, guiding the Cavaliers to a 46-14 record, a conference championship, a region championship and a runner-up finish at the NJCAA Division II National Tournament, the highest finish in the program’s 29-year existence.

The 2008 season will be a challenge for Latendresse and her assistant Lindsey Wells as they try to fill the voids left with the graduation of several key players from the 2007 team. The Lady Cavaliers will need to replace pitchers Emily Dye, Talia Bodine and Jessi Alford, and position players Jill Peters Aubree Brattin Ashley Scates and Jill Peters.  All were key performers a year ago, and several have left their mark among the all-time leaders in team history.

However, one sign of a solid NJCAA fastpitch softball program comes when a team loses many fine players yet still manages to continue its winning ways. 

Nationally, the Cavaliers have been picked as the team to beat in Region VI, earning the sixth spot in the NJCAA Preseason Coaches Poll, two spots better than Cowley College.  However, within the Kansas Jayhawk Conference, JCCC is getting the Rodney Dangerfield routine of no respect.  The Cavaliers have been picked to finish second to the Cowley in the East Jayhawk race despite sharing the title with JCCC last year, and losing to the Cavaliers in the region playoffs.  Last year JCCC was also picked to finish behind Cowley despite holding a higher preseason ranking than the Tigers.

“Predictions are just that,” said head coach Kelly Latendresse.  “We just need to continue to work hard and play to our best ability.  They realize that is going to take all of them working together to reach our goals.  If they play sound, fundamental softball, good things will result and we will make a strong showing every time we go out on the field.”

The 2008 JCCC softball team again reveals the potential to contend for a national championship.  The year’s squad possesses a winning combination of experienced sophomore leadership, explosive bats and a promising young freshman class.

One of the mainstays of the sophomore class is Krista Cummings who is coming off a stellar freshman  and record-breaking season.  Cummings earned first-team NJCAA and NFCA All-American after hitting .429 with 75 hits, eight doubles, 17 home runs and 52 RBI.  Her 17 homers set a new season standard at JCCC, and ranked fourth in the country.  She also was selected to the NJCAA All-Tournament team after ranking among the tournament leaders in hits, and RBI.

Latendresse also welcomes back starting outfielder Kacee McDonald.  She hit .284 with 46 hits, 15 doubles, a triple, two home runs and 27 RBI.  Her 14 doubles tie the 14th-best season in team history.  McDonald is also solid with glove, posting a .953 fielding percentage.

Also back are infielder Lindsay Bowers, outfielder Kristen Kluge, infielder/catcher Deborah Schlagel and catcher Alex Zimmerman.  All four should see expanded roles from their freshman year.

Latendresse has also produced a stellar freshman class that not only ads valuable depth, but several players will be key producers and make a major impact this season, particularly in the circle.  JCCC will look to pitchers Katie Ford of Garden City, Jamin Landreth of Seneca, Mo., and Lindsey Tuter of Louisburg, Kan., to complete JCCC’s rotation. 

Ford comes to JCCC after accomplishing more than any other pitcher in her high school’s history.  She was a three-time All-State selection.  an All-State selection in Missouri, Landreth suffered an injury in the fall, but is expected to be fully recovered by the start of the 2008 spring season.  Tuter is JCCC power pitcher this year.  An outstanding prep players, Tuter will look to establish herself as one of the more dominant pitches in the region.

Latendresse also welcomes outfielders Brittany Bax of Wardsville, Mo., and Brittany Hess of Junction City, Kan., along with infielders Heather Darby of Paola, Kan., Sam Neely of Blue Springs, Mo., Brittany Rich of Kearney, Mo. and Kristin Wallace of Chapman, Kan., to the program.  Each bring outstanding prep credentials to the program and all will have an opportunity to compete for a starting role.

The Lady Cavaliers will again be tested this season as the competition will be fierce as Region VI will once again be one of the toughest in the country.  In addition to the always competitive  schedule in the Jayhawk Conference and Region VI, JCCC also will compete again this year in the Okaloosa-Walton Tournament in Florida, and host the annual JCCC Challenge.

“In the conference and the region, we are always every team’s game of the year, so we will be facing some tremendous challenges every time we go out on the field.”  said Latendresse.  “We must focus on one game at a time and do the little things right and we will be successful.  This team has set their focus this season to again win conference and region and make another run at a national title.”

In all, the 2008 Lady Cavaliers appear to be the complete package.  With an excellent host of returning players and some formidable young talent, JCCC should, once again, contend for a national championship crown.