Stanton, softball team look for improvement

Although Marshall softball coach Shonda Stanton has been at Marshall a little more than a semester, she already is looking to the Mid-American Conference championship and an NCAA tournament berth.

Stanton became the new softball coach in August, when she replaced Louie Berndt, who resigned to take an assistant coaching position at Florida State University.

Stanton came to Marshall after a one-year coaching stint at Indiana University-Purdue University, where she inherited an 8-20 Division II team and led it to a 27-25 Division I record. She said she hopes to make the same turnaround at Marshall.

With only two newcomers on the roster, Stanton said she expects the sophomore class to step up and show leadership.

"We only have one senior and four juniors but we have eight sophomores," she said. "They gained a lot of experience last year so I think they'll step up and help out a lot."

Nikki Wilcox said Stanton has added something the team has lacked in the past.

"We're a whole new team with a whole new attitude this year," said Wilcox, a sophomore from Westminster, Calif. "Coach has been fantastic and has given us back our confidence."

Although the Herd looked to be in a position for a possible conference tournament berth a year ago, the team stuttered in the final leg of the season, losing 11 of its final 13 games to finish 24-28. Despite that disappointing outcome, team captain Jenny Ryther said she doesn't think it will affect the team's confidence.

"It's really hard to compare last year and this year," said Ryther, a Westerville, Ohio, junior. "At the end of last year we were really tired and worn out. It's totally different this year. Morale is incredible and it's like we have a fresh start."

Stanton said she thinks Marshall has a good chance to qualify for ­ and win ­ the MAC title this season.

"We'll be in a great position to qualify for the conference tournament this season," she said. "There is a legitimate chance for anyone to win the title."

Ryther expects a great season, but feels the team needs more fan support. "This is the year for us," she said. "We have awesome chances of winning this year. Everything is finally coming together. The only thing we're lacking is community and university support, so if people would just come out, even for an inning or two, it would be awesome."

Marshall opens its season Feb. 25 against the University of Connecticut at the University of Tennessee tournament.