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2008 Season Outlook
The 2008 softball season will be one of unknowns as the 13-player squad includes eight incoming players along with first-year head coach Kristin Peeples. With the majority of the starting line-up consisting of new players, the Trolls will wait to see how the season develops. Despite their greenness they look to finish over .500, an improvement from last year’s 9-28 overall record.
 
“We may surprise teams this season,” said Coach Peeples. “Although we do not have the experience, we will be able to bring something different to the table than what opponents might expect from Trinity.”
 
This fall Peeples spent a good deal of time and effort putting together the team. She will build the squad around the core of three returning seniors. She will look to them to provide leadership and stability, and work with the veterans to direct the team dynamics and create success on the field.
 
“The team has proven to be a hard working group and are committed to becoming successful,” commented Peeples. “They have already overcome obstacles and have shown great character. We will continue to help each other and pull together as we make individual improvements which will make us solid as a team.”
 
The Trolls will rely on the fundamentals to get the job done this year. They may not out-power, out-hit, or out-pitch too many opponents, but will look to win games based on correctly doing the little things. By stressing the basics, they will take the steps needed to become a consistent team. They will also be more creative at the plate, using a short game to get runners on base and in scoring positions.
 
Offensively, the three senior captains will lead the way as they posted some of the top batting averages last season. Those same three, who are all four-year starters, will also anchor the defensive. All-conference player Laura Arendsen (Zeeland, MI), the leading returning hitter, will start in centerfield and also return to the pitching mound, a position she last played her freshman year. Sarah Lerner (Oak Lawn, IL), who was all-conference honorable mention last season, will be behind the plate at catcher. She will provide stability defensively while also being in the thick of the line-up offensively.  Allison Vanderwerff (Bothell, WA), has played on the left side of the infield for the past three years, and will direct the infield as she takes over at short stop. 
 
The only other returning players are junior Holly Jensen (Chicago Ridge, IL) and sophomore Kaitlin Heaney (Racine, WI). Jensen will play a more prominent role this season as she starts in right field. Heaney will fill a dual role of pitching and covering second base. Last season she threw for 71.1 innings with a 4.91 ERA.
 
Stepping into starting positions and prominent roles will be two transfers, junior Brandy Ward (Crestwood, IL) and junior Jenna Gesiakowski (Tinley Park, IL). Both of these players have not played for the past couple of season, but will have the talent to quickly get back into the game. Ward will directly step in as a starting pitcher and will counted on for many innings this season. Gesiakowski will occupy left field and can help offensively and on the bases with her speed. 
 
Of the rest of the new players, freshman Kaylyn Bossert (Ephrata, WA) and sophomore Laura Karr (LeRoy, IL) will round out the starters. Bossert will take over at third-base, while Karr is a utility infield players, stepping in at second or first base. 
 
Rounding out the roster are junior Jill Machiela (Holland, MI) at first base or right field, freshman Kristen Chockley (Plano, TX), who will play right field or help on the bases with her speed, freshman Erin Deremer (Sleepy Hollow, IL), at third base, and sophomore Jackie Grendzinski (Lansing, IL), an outfielder.
 
The Trolls’ are scheduled to begin competition in mid-March. They look forward to entering their conference schedule, which they are determined to finish in the top half and qualify for the conference tournament. The team will also face good competition at Cornerstone University (MI) and in a tournament at Iowa Wesleyan College, where they will face NAIA region teams.