TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
LEXINGTON, KY
NCAA DIVISION III
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NCAA DIVISION III LEXINGTON, KY TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
Transylvania
WELCOME TO
President Seamus Carey
As a former college athlete, I understand the value of participating in competitive athletics while pursuing a degree at an institution that embraces academic rigor. The things you learn about yourself and the principles of discipline, teamwork, commitment and resilience will gird you for a lifetime of challenges. You’ll also make lifelong friends and find valuable mentors among your coaches and the athletics staff. As a member of NCAA Division III, Transylvania is committed to the student-athlete ideal. In fact, 41 percent of our students participate in our 26 intercollegiate teams. We challenge our student-athletes to demonstrate high standards of character and achievement both in the classroom and on the field. Since Transylvania’s transition to the NCAA in 2001, the Pioneers have earned 48 conference championships, more than 30 NCAA tournament appearances, 47 Coach of the Year awards and 47 All-American athlete awards.
Transylvania occupies a unique and historic position in American higher education. Founded in 1780 as the first college west of the Allegheny Mountains, Transylvania was a pioneer in bringing the light of learning to what was then the nation’s frontier. Today, the university is a highly regarded liberal arts college with a reputation for the quality of our academics and the personal approach we bring to teaching and learning. With 40 majors and a number of pre-professional programs, Transylvania offers excellent preparation for graduate and professional school as well as a variety of careers immediately following graduation. Our athletic teams are called the Pioneers, and that’s not only a tribute to our honored past—it’s a way of thinking that pervades our vision of the future. Our liberal arts program emphasizes questioning and creative thinking, and that’s what leads to pioneering discoveries and notable contributions to society. Couple that with athletic competition and community spirit is amplified. We hope you’ll join us as we enthusiastically support our student-athletes—our Pioneers and the community’s future leaders.
Seamus Carey President Transylvania University
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General Information
Athletic Administration
The 2018 Softball media guide was designed and compiled by Sports Information Director Justin Sweeney and Assistant Director of Sports Information Neal Settle. Special thanks to Transylvania Communications Graphic Designer Sam Cooper.
Season Outlook and Review
The Department of Athletics provides equitable opportunities and support for male and female students to participate in intercollegiate athletics and to compete successfully in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, Ohio Athletic Conference, Ohio River Lacrosse Conference and Southern Athletics Association. All activities hold paramount the academic, personal and physical welfare of the student-athlete and emphasize physical fitness, self-discipline, teamwork, leadership and the highest standards of ethics, sportsmanship and personal performance. Student-athletes are representative of the general student population and are afforded similar opportunities and treatment. Programs, staff and facilities reflect the excellence of the institution and contribute to the quality of campus life.
Lettermen Returning..............................................................11 Lettermen Lost..........................................................................2 Newcomers...............................................................................10
Softball Staff
Head Coach..........................Shawn Hendrickson (4th Year) Record.................................................................................74-49 HCAC Record....................................................................31-17 Assistant Coach......................Natalie Hernandez (3rd Year) Assistant Coach................................Kimi Blewett (5th Year) Assistant Coach............................Megan Mitchell (1st Year) Assistant Coach.........................Greg Shewmaker (2nd Year) Assistant Coach.........................Andrew Hundley (3rd Year) Strength and Conditioning Coach....................Zach Turner Softball Office Phone..........................................859-281-3575 Twitter..............................................................@TransySoftball
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NCAA DIVISION III
Credits
The Transylvania intercollegiate athletics program is integral to the university’s educational mission and operates under the principles of amateur athletics and fair play, as established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III.
LEXINGTON, KY
VP of Enrollment and Student Life..........Dr. Holly Sheilley Senior Associate AD.................................... Mary Struckhoff Assist. AD of Compliance.....................................Jeff Chaney Assist. AD of Outdoor Facilities........................Terry Justice Assist. AD of Marketing......................................Kyle Walton Assist. AD of Facilities.......................................Leigh Oakley Executive Assistant to VP............................Parviz Zartoshty of Enrollment and Student Life Sports Information Director..........................Justin Sweeney Asst. Director of Sports Information...................Neal Settle Strength and Conditioning Coach....................Zach Turner Faculty Athletics Representative...........................Judy Jones Title IX Coordinator.........................Ashley Hinton-Moncer
Athletics Mission Statement
TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
Location...............................................................Lexington, Ky. Founded................................................................................1780 Affiliation....................................................NCAA Division III Conference.................................................Heartland (HCAC) Colors........................................................Crimson and White Mascot...........................................................................Pioneers President.......................................................Dr. Seamus Carey VP for Enrollment and Student Life........Dr. Holly Sheilley Athletic Department Phone...........................(859) 233-8270 Address...................300 N. Broadway, Lexington, Ky. 40508 Website................................................www.transysports.com Twitter................................................................@TransySports
QUICK FACTS
NCAA DIVISION III LEXINGTON, KY TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
STAND OUT Hone your critical thinking and writing skills—abilities employers and grad schools prize—and challenge your mind and imagination through a liberal arts education.
GET PREPPED Immerse yourself in a supportive community, intimate enough for professors to really know you, with peers who believe you’re capable of more than you ever dreamed.
LIVE BIG
CONNECT FOREVER
Make the most of living and learning in the heart of Lexington, a friendly and creative city, with easy access to internships, jobs and infinite opportunities to build your future.
Become a part of the large and welcoming Transylvania network where lifetime friendships are made and career networking opportunities thrive.
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Suc�
41% 95% RATE 1,050 ENROLLMENT
Live ON CAMPUS
AD SCHOOL
SIZE
75%
38%
57%
of our students
RECOMMENDED TO
SCHOOLS
ARE ADMITTED
50+
Campus Clubs & ORGANIZATIONS
90% OVER
of our students
RECOMMENDED TO
MEDICAL
LEXINGTON, KY
CLASS
WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF GRADUATION
E M P L OY E D
14
Average
HLETES
GR
AT
100% LAW
TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
Student
DE STU N T
SCHOOLS
& OTHER HEALTH
PROFESSIONS PROGRAMS
ARE ADMITTED
BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE OFFERED IN: Accounting Anthropology Art Art History Biology Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Track Biology: Molecular and Cellular Biology Track Business Administration Chemistry Chemistry: Biochemistry Track Classics Computer Science Economics Edu. Elementary: P-5 Edu. Middle Grades: 5-9 Educational Studies English Exercise Science French Language and Literature German Studies
History International Affairs Mathematics Music (Applied) Music Education Music Technology Neuroscience Philosophy Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Physics Political Science Psychology Religion Sociology Sociology/Anthropology Spanish Language and Literature Teaching Art Teaching Chemistry Theater Writing, Rhetoric, and Communication
P l�
MINORS AVAILABLE IN MOST MAJORS AND: Asian Studies Classical Studies Communication Creative Writing Education Minor for Secondary Certification (8-12) Environmental Studies Latin American and Caribbean Studies Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
PREPROFESSIONAL PREPARATION IN: Health Professions: dentistry, medicine, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, veterinary medicine, nursing Engineering Law Ministry
SELF-DESIGNED MAJORS ALSO AVAILABLE 5
NCAA DIVISION III
40 MAJORS
ADDITIONAL MINORS AND PREPROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
NCAA DIVISION III LEXINGTON, KY TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
L exington WELCOME TO
Transylvania University is in the heart of downtown Lexington, a city with all the excitement and entertainment of a
bustling metropolis while maintaining a small-town feel. Located in the heart of the Bluegrass regions and the second largest city in Kentucky, Lexington features something for everyone to enjoy, whether it’s Third Street Stuff, recently voted the best coffee shop in Kentucky, right around the corner from campus, the Lexington Farmer’s Market; Thursday Night Live featuring local bands and vendors at the 5/3 Pavilion; a concert or basketball game at the world famous Rupp Arena; a day at the track in the horse capital of the world at Keeneland; or a hike at Raven’s Run Nature Preserve.
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TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
LEXINGTON, KY
NCAA DIVISION III
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NCAA DIVISION III LEXINGTON, KY TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
Transylvania has enjoyed more than a decade of success since joining the NCAA Division III in 2004. The athletics community has excelled both on and off the field, with student-athletes thriving in the classroom and in competition.
533 51 48 67 50 47
ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
COACH OF THE YEAR AWARDS
ALL-AMERICANS
NCAA POSTSEASON APPEARANCES
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PLAYER-OF-THE-WEEK AWARD WINNERS IN 2016-17
Transylvania’s athletic training staff strives to provide the highest quality healthcare to its student-athletes. The Certified Athletic Trainers are highly qualified and trained medical professionals with diverse educational backgrounds and experiences.
Kyle Sutton joined the Transylvania Athletics Sports Medicine Staff as Assistant Athletic Trainer in 2016. Sutton brings over eight years of experience in athletic training to Transylvania. Sutton has previously worked at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington as Head Athletic Trainer from 2015-16 and as Head Athletic Trainer at Westerville Central High School from 2008-15. Sutton received a Master of Science in Applied Exercise Science from Oklahoma State University in 2008 and a Bachelor of Science in Allied Medical Professions from The Ohio State
University in 2006.
CHRISTA HENDLEY ASST. ATHLETIC TRAINER Christa Hendley joined the Transylvania Athletics Sports Medicine Staff as an Assistant Athletic Trainer in November 2017. Hendley carries over five years of experience in the athletic training realm to Transylvania.
Transylvania has two athletic training rooms for its student-athletes. The main athletic training room is on the performance floor of the Beck Center with the secondary training room located in the field house at the Athletics Complex and both are open daily. Each training room is equipped with state-of-the-art injury prevention and rehabilitation equipment.
Prior to her time at Transy, Hendley served as the Head Athletic Trainer at the University of the Cumberlands from 2014 through 2017, overseeing men’s and women’s soccer, basketball, cheerleading, softball, track and field, and dance during her tenure at Cumberlands. Previous stints for Hendley include working at Lemak Sports Medicine and Orthopedics as a Head Athletic Trainer and at Chowan University.
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NCAA DIVISION III
Transylvania partners with Lexington Clinic Sports Medicine Center to provide our student-athlete healthcare. Lexington Clinic orthopedic surgeons David Dome, Peter Hester, Ben Kibler and Trevor Wilkes serve as team doctors for the university and make weekly campus visits, eliminating the need to travel off-campus.
KYLE SUTTON ASST. ATHLETIC TRAINER
LEXINGTON, KY
The sports medicine staff is fully accredited by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The staff specializes in the prevention, assessment and rehabilitation of injuries to our student-athletes. Athletic trainers have been recognized by the American Medical Association as allied healthcare professionals since 1990.
Nick Reuss begins his seventh year with the Transylvania sports medicine staff and his second as Director of Sports Medicine for the 2017-18 season. Reuss joined the Transylvania sports medicine staff in 2011. He holds a Master of Science in recreation and sport sciences from Ohio University and a Bachelor of Science in athletic training from Ohio University. He is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and is certified by the Kinesio Taping Association as a Kinesio Taping Practitioner.
TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
Sports Medicine
NICK REUSS DIRECTOR OF SPORTS MEDICINE
Shawn Hendrickson HEAD COACH
TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
Shawn Hendrickson enters his fourth year as head coach of the Transylvania Pioneers softball team. During Hendrickson’s tenure with the Transylvania softball program, the Pioneers have experienced their richest era in program history. His imprint upon the program since his arrival has been one of a team-oriented winning culture.
LEXINGTON, KY
NCAA DIVISION III
Pioneers Coaching Staff
The Pioneers enter the 2018 season coming off of its best finish ever after reaching the Super Regional of the 2017 NCAA Division III Softball Tournament for the first time in school history. The 2017 season brought about Transylvania’s secondconsecutive Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference regularseason title as the Pioneers went 12-4 in conference. Their regular-season run set the stage for a momentous tournament journey. The Pioneers marched through the 2017 HCAC Conference Tournament, sweeping through all three of its opponents to win their first tournament title since the 2010 season. The Pioneers’ conference tournament success bloomed into NCAA Tournament success: Transylvania dominated its openinground regional, defeating Emory & Henry before defeating No. 2 ranked Berry back-to-back by scores of 6-0 and 8-0 (5 innings). Transylvania’s success at Berry sent the Pioneers to their first super regional in school history, where they battled Illinois Wesleyan to the brink before falling in the deciding game 3 in 11 innings. When the dust had settled, the Pioneers had completed a 35-13 season, finishing the year ranked 14th nationally in the NFCA Top 25 Coaches Poll. Hendrickson’s 2017 squad yielded a collection of high performers, including junior pitcher Renae Morton, who was named to the NFCA All-Region Third Team and HCAC Pitcher of the Year, all-HCAC First Teamers Brittany Mumford and Shelby Bailey, and All-HCAC Second Teamers Sydney Motell and Shelby Gambrell. Transylvania’s quick ascent to a new standard of excellence under Hendrickson has come in nearly record time. Hendrickson’s arrival to Transylvania in the fall of 2014 set the
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stage for a near-instant turnaround. Inheriting a team that finished 10 games below .500 in 2014, Hendrickson quickly assembled a team that went 13-23 in his first season as he rebuilt the culture at an accelerated pace in his first year at Transylvania. While the Pioneers ran out of steam his first season in Lexington, his initial squad collected 13 poignant wins that would set the foundation in place for a competitive, bluecollar future. In Hendrickson’s second year in Lexington, the Pioneers were selected to finish eighth in their conference in the coaches’ HCAC preseason poll. The Pioneers blew those expectations out of the water and shocked the conference, winning the regular-season conference title on the final day of the season against Anderson to top the standings and earn the number one seed in the conference tournament. Hendrickson’s 2016 season was a year to remember for Transylvania; the Pioneers went 26-13 overall, including 14-2 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play en route to the regular season crown. Under Hendrickson’s leadership, the Pioneers produced the HCAC Hitter of the Year in Krista DeBurger and HCAC Pitcher of the Year Jamie Lutes. Prior to his arrival to Lexington, Hendrickson assembled a wealth of coaching experience totaling over 25 years. Hendrickson came to Lexington from Finlandia University in Hancock, Michigan where he spent six years. The longtime softball coach completed a similar turnaround project at Finlandia, as his team went 76-27 over his final three years there. Hendrickson was recognized with three straight NCAA Division III Independent Coach of the Year awards from 2011 through 2013. Hendrickson’s Finlandia squads also ranked nationally in the top-50 in multiple offensive categories; during his tenure up north, Finlandia also furnished the NCAA’s top RBI-producer, the national leader in batting average, and national run leader in the school’s first All-American, catcher Alexis Lawley. Hendrickson’s annual goals for Transylvania softball are for each of his players to exceed their individual capabilities and build a winning record. Prior to coaching collegiate softball, Hendrickson coached high school athletics for nearly 20 years in basketball, softball, and baseball. During his time as a high school athletics coach, Hendrickson received two Michigan High School Athletic Association Regional Coach of the Year Awards.
Natalie Hernandez
Pioneers Coaching Staff
Natalie Hernandez is entering her third season as an assistant coach for the Transylvania Pioneers softball program in 2017. During her tenure with the Transylvania coaching staff, the Pioneers have achieved new levels of greatness. Hernandez’s arrival to the Pioneers coincided with Transylvania softball’s swift upward movement in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference standings. The Pioneers finished 10 games below .500 prior to Hernandez’s arrival, and finished 14-2 atop the HCAC standings in her first season as an assistant coach with the team.
In Hernandez’s second season as assistant coach, the Pioneers led the HCAC in doubles (78), triples (10), stolen bases (78), and ranked second in runs (223), hits (376), and runs batted in (179) as the Pios went 35-13 for 2017.
In addition to her coaching duties with the Transylvania softball team, Hernandez has spent her last four summers as a professional softball player with the Chicago Bandits of National Pro Fastpitch. Hernandez played collegiately at NCAA Division I University of Illinois-Chicago where she was a four-year letterwinner with the Flames. Hernandez accumulated a slew of awards during her playing career, earning placement to the Horizon League All-Tournament Team in her senior season of 2014. Hernandez batted .413 during her senior season, and capped off her career with a sizzling .563 batting average with three home runs over four games in the Horizon League Championships.
Kimi Blewett
Kimi Blewett is entering her fifth year as part of the Transylvania softball coaching staff as an assistant coach.
ASSISTANT COACH
Blewett served with the Transylvania softball staff in 2017 and was part of a managerial contingent which led the Pioneers to their best finish in program history; the Pioneers advanced to their first super regional in program history while posting a 35-13 record, finishing the season ranked 14th nationally in the NFCA final poll. The fifth-year assistant specializes in catching and working with the team’s battery on defense. Blewett also offers coaching expertise with corner positions and offensive drills and skill development. Blewett came to Transylvania for the 2013 season after completing an All-American career at Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio. As a four-year starter with the Polar Bears, Blewett finished ranked in the top-three in numerous categories while leading Ohio Northern to two NCAA tournament appearances. In 2017 under Blewett’s tutelage, the Pioneers finished first in the HCAC in batting average against (.229) and shutouts (eight). Transylvania’s defense shined in the 2017 NCAA Tournament regionals where Transylvania held its opponents to one run in three games, outscoring the opposition 18-1.
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NCAA DIVISION III
In her first season on Transylvania softball coaching staff in 2016, Hernandez’s hitting expertise was noticeably impactful upon the Pioneers’ hitting production, as Transylvania led the league in total runs (250), home runs (30), slugging percentage (.505), on-base percentage (.410), and ranked second in total hits (369), doubles (73), runs batted in (214), walks (102), and batting average (.340).
LEXINGTON, KY
In her second season as an assistant coach, Transylvania won its first NCAA Tournament regional in program history in 2017, advancing to the super regional in Lexington for the first time ever.
TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
ASSISTANT COACH
NCAA DIVISION III LEXINGTON, KY TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
2018 Softball Roster NO.
NAME
POSITION
CLASS
Ht.
HOMETOWN/HIGH SCHOOL
00
Jessica Powell
C/INF
Jr.
5-8
Louisville, Ky. / Christian Academy
1
Taylor Campbell
OF
Fr.
5-7
Bowling Green, KY / Greenwood High School
2
Madison Dorsey
OF
Sr.
5-6
Indianapolis, Ind. / Lawrence Central
3
Tayler Thompson
P/INF
Jr.
5-6
Ashland, Ky. / Fairview
4
Shelby Gambrell
INF/OF
Jr.
5-9
Owenton, Ky. / Owen Co.
6
Kameron Bowling
P/IF
Fr.
5-7
Louisville, Ky. / Holy Cross High School
7
Destiny Garcia
OF
Sr.
5-4
Lindsay, Calif. / Lindsay
8
Shelbi Poehlein
INF/OF
Jr.
5-9
Shelbyville, Ky. / Collins Kentucky Stealth
10
Brittany Mumford
INF/OF
Jr.
5-6
Louisville, Ky. / Christian Academy
11
Renae Morton
P/INF/OF
Sr.
5-8
Olivet, Mich. / Olivet
12
Courtney Gentry
OF
Fr.
5-4
Louisville, Ky. / Louisville Male High School
14
Meg Liter
P/INF
Jr.
5-9
Batesville, Ind. / Batesville
15
Jordan Kramer
P/INF
Jr.
5-7
Independence, Ky. / St. Henry District
16
Janelle Hynes
C/OF
So.
5-6
Shelbyville, Ky. / Collins
17
Kaitlyn Buechel
OF
Jr.
5-7
Edgewood, Ky. / Dixie Heights
18
Tabitha Sizemore
INF/OF
So.
5-4
Louisville, Ky. / North Bullitt
20
Kenzy Moore
OF
So.
5-5
Flatwoods, Ky. / Russell
21
Laurel Major
OF
So.
5-4
Maples,Fla. / Maples High School
22
Megan Edwards
OF
Fr.
5-4
West Chester,Ohio / Lakota West High School
24
Mira Monk
OF
Fr.
5-7
Lexington, Ky. / Tates Creek High School
26
Cece Wittry
P/IF/OF
Fr.
5-3
Georgetown, Ky. / Scott County High School
28
Sam Simons
IF
Fr.
5-10
New Lenox, Ill. / Lincoln-Way West High School
33
Sydney Motell
OF
So.
5-8
Georgetown, Ky. / Scott Co.
41
Shawna Morton
P/INF
So.
5-6
Charlotte, Mich. / Olivet
44
Jessica Gunter
P/OF
Fr.
5-2
Pataskala, Ohio / Licking Heights High School
12
#2 Madison Dorsey Senior Indianapolis, Ind. Lawrence Central
#3 Tayler Thompson Junior Ashland, Ky. Fairview
#4 Shelby Gambrell Junior Owenton, Ky. Owen Co.
#6 Kameron Bowling Freshman Louisville, Ky. Holy Cross
#7 Destiny Garcia Senior Lindsay, Calif. Lindsay
#8 Shelbi Poehlein Junior Shelbyville, Ky. Collins
#10 Brittany Mumford Junior Louisville, Ky. Christian Academy
LEXINGTON, KY
#1 Taylor Campbell Freshman Bowling Green, Ky. Greenwood
TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
#00 Jessica Powell Junior Louisville, Ky. Christian Academy
NCAA DIVISION III 13
NCAA DIVISION III TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
LEXINGTON, KY
#11 Renae Morton Senior Olivet, Mich. Olivet
#12 Courtney Gentry Freshman Louisville, Ky. Male
#14 Meg Liter Junior Batesville, Ind. Batesville
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#15 Jordan Kramer Junior Independence, Ky. St. Henry District
#16 Janelle Hynes Sophomore Shelbyville, Ky. Collins
#17 Kaitlyn Buechel Junior Edgewood, Ky. Dixie Heights
#18 Tabitha Sizemore Sophomore Louisville, Ky. North Bullitt
#20 Kenzy Moore Sophomore Flatwoods, Ky. Russell
#21 Laurel Major Sophomore Maples, Fla. Maples
#28 Sam Simons Freshman New Lenox, Ill. Lincoln-Way West
#33 Sydney Motell Sophomore Georgetown, Ky. Scott County
#26 Cece Wittry Freshman Georgetown, Ky. Scott County
LEXINGTON, KY
#24 Mira Monk Freshman Lexington, Ky. Tates Creek
TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
#22 Megan Edwards Freshman West Chester, Ohio Lakota West
NCAA DIVISION III
#41 Shawna Morton Sophomore Charlotte, Mich. Olivet
44 Jessica Gunter Freshman Pataskala, Ohio Licking Heights
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TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY
LEXINGTON, KY
NCAA DIVISION III