Superstar Sallinger leads softball

The Tech softball team starts the 2005 season with a head of steam and a positive attitude. With five starters returning to the lineup, including NFCA All-American pitcher Jessica Sallinger, the team will blend successful veterans with a new cast of players. The Jackets open their 2005 season at home against Chattanooga on Feb. 5.

The tough schedule includes ranked opponents such as Michigan and Southern Illinois in The Leadoff Classic, Florida State and rival Georgia. Postseason success was the main goal for second year head coach Ehren Earleywine when he planned the schedule.

"[This schedule] will provide us with experience against those better teams, against better pitching, against better hitting. This will prepare us for the postseason," Earleywine said.

Despite starting the season as one of only two ranked teams from the ACC in the preseason ESPN/USA Softball Collegiate Poll at No. 21, coach Earleywine remains cautious about the team's chances of making it to the World Series.

"It would be safe to say that we would go to regional and we would finish in the top tier of our conference. It would be a stretch and more of a goal to get to the World Series" he said.

Sallinger was more optimistic; "Last year we had a really good season but until we get to the World Series, I don't think anyone will be satisfied. We have been so close every year, it's kind of disheartening. We are a better team this year."

Sallinger's optimism is fueled by the strong showing of the team in the last three seasons. The Jackets made three straight NCAA tournament appearances and finished the last season ranked in both polls and ended the year with a third-place finish in NCAA Athens Regional.

Tech finished with an overall record of 47-19 and is ranked in the preseason for only the second time in school history.

Florida State is the other ranked team from the ACC at No. 11. The preseason rankings are once again dominated by Pac-10 powerhouses, who hold four of the top five spots in the poll.

"When softball first started at the collegiate level, California was the hotbed for talent and the Pac-10 schools gained early momentum. When you get that momentum and reputation, all the blue chip kids want to go there for the recognition. You kind of create a monster and then it just keeps feeding itself. But fortunately parity has taken over and there is more talent across the country, and now some other teams are gaining momentum," Earleywine said.

That momentum has shown in Tech's recruiting of another solid class.

"Recruiting is the by-product of the seasons that we had the last couple of years. It has gotten a bit easier and that has made it more enjoyable for coaches to go on the road and have Georgia Tech on our chests. Ideally I would like to keep in-state kids here, at least good ones. Georgia talent is definitely in the top 10 in the nation in terms of softball, and hence our first priority is to keep our local kids here. But make no bones about it, we are in the business of winning and if I have to go to some other state to get the right kid, I will do that," Earleywine said.

Sallinger was Tech's most decorated and honored player last season. She set new school records in wins (31), shutouts (15), ERA (0.82), no-hitters (3) and strikeouts (351). Sallinger became the second ACC pitcher ever to rack up more than 1000 strikeouts in a career. She needs just 13 strikeouts to become the ACC's all-time strikeout leader .

For her remarkable achievements she was named to the All-ACC team and the All-Southeast Region team for the second straight year. She was honored nationally for the first time as she was named to the All-American team, becoming the third Tech player and first Tech pitcher to earn All-American honors.

"I am never satisfied. I always think I can do better," Sallinger said.

Asked about the top players to watch for this season, both Earleywine and Sallinger were unanimous in selecting Christine Sheridan, a transfer from East Carolina. "She will definitely be a foundational core, impact type of kid. She and Caitlin Lever will be two big names to watch. They will do some special things this season," Earleywine said.

Jessica Sallinger notes that even with the success, she was unimpressed by the crowd support last year. "When we play Georgia, we get a good crowd, but there is no one for other home games. We are a very good team this year. It will be great to have some fans to get pumped up," Sallinger said.