INTRODUCTION QuickFacts.......................................................2 HuskyAthletics............................................ 2-3

2009 SEASON TVRoster..........................................................4 RosterBreakdown..........................................5 Schedule/MediaInfo......................................6 SeasonPreview.......................................... 7-82009 HUSKY PROFILES PlayerProfiles........................................... 9-46

COACHING STAFF HeadCoachHeatherTarr...................... 48-49 AssistantCoaches.................................. 50-51 SupportStaff..................................................51 DawgsonDeck.............................................52

2008 YEAR IN REVIEW SeasonReview........................................ 54-55 ResultsandStatistics............................. 56-57 Pac-10Review......................................... 58-60

OPPONENTS 2009Tournaments.........................................62 Pac-10Opponents.........................................63 All-TimeSeriesRecords........................ 64-68

NCAA HISTORY All-TimePostseasonResults.......................70 PostseasonRecords.....................................71 Women’sCollegeWorldSeries............ 72-80

RECORDS All-TimeRecords..................................... 82-87 Year-by-YearLeaders............................. 88-89 Year-by-YearTeamRecords........................90 Awards&Honors.................................... 91-94 All-Americans.......................................... 94-97 HuskiesinPros,Olympics&Beyond.. 98-99 Pac-10History.............................................100 All-TimeRoster............................................101 Year-By-YearResults.......................... 102-105

THE WASHINGTON WAY Washington’sAthleticProwess...............106 KeyHuskyAdministrators.........................107 Washington’sAthleticFacilities...............108 Washington’sTrainingFacilities...............109 FamousHuskyAlumni................................110 TheUWCampus..........................................111 Seattle:TheEmeraldCity..........................112

CREDITS: The 2009 University of Washington softball mediaguidewaswrittenandeditedbyAssistantAthleticCommunica-tionsDirector,RosieLeutzinger.Layoutdoneentirelyin-housebyLeutzinger.CoverdesignbyJonathanSorianoandEvelynRice.InteriortemplatedesignedbySoriano.CoverphotographybyTimWillisandDaleGarvey.InteriorshotsbyWillis.SpecialthankstotheUSASoftballandNationalProFastpitchforprovidingphotosofformerHuskiesinternationallyandintheproranks.Additionalspecial thanks to past UW Sports Information staff for contentprovidedinthisguide.

W A S H I N G T O N H U S K I E S 2009 S O F T B A L L

HUSKY ATHLETICS

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

AthleticCommunicationsMainOfficePhone................................................................................................(206)543-2230AthleticCommunicationsFax............................................................................................................................(206)543-5000AthleticDepartmentFrontDesk........................................................................................................................(206)543-2210

MAILING ADDRESSBox354070Seattle,WA98195-4070

OVERNIGHT ADDRESS227GravesHallSeattle,WA98195-4070

GPS/PHYSICAL ADDRESS3910MontlakeBlvdSeattle,WA98195-4070

Q U I C K F A C T SLocation:..................................................... Seattle,Wash.Founded:.......................................................... Nov.4,1861Enrollment:...................... 42,000(31,474undergraduate)Nickname:.............................................................. HuskiesColors:.......................................................... Purple&GoldConference:........................................................ Pacific-10President:............................................... Dr.MarkEmmertAthletic Director:..................................ScottWoodwardWebsite:.........................................www.GoHuskies.comMedia Relations (Softball):..................RosieLeutzingerOffice Phone:.............................................. (206)685-3119Cell Phone:.................................................. (206)406-2007Email:.......................... rleutzinger@ica.washington.eduFax:............................................................... (206)543-5000Home Facility:................ HuskySoftballStadium(1,500)Press Box Phone:....................................... (206)616-6936Head Coach:...................HeatherTarr(Washington,‘97)Tarr Record at UW:.........................142-91-1(4seasons)Tarr Career Record:........................142-91-1(4seasons)Email:........................................htarr@u.washington.eduAssistant Coach:.................................... GinaCarbonattoPhone:.......................................................... (206)543-5872Email: ....................... gcarbonatto@ica.washington.eduAssistant Coach:.........................................LanceGlasoePhone:.......................................................... (206)616-8618Email:....................................lglasoe@u.washington.eduVolunteer Assistant:.....................................J.T.D’AmicoLetterwinners Returning/Lost:.................................. 13/4Starters Returning/Lost:................................................ 8/1Pitchers Returning/Lost: ............................................... 1/2Newcomers:...................................................................... 52008 Overall Record:....... 30-25-1(7-14Pac-10,5th-tie)Postseason:....................................2-2(NCAARegionals)Final NFCA Ranking:.............................. ReceivedVotesInaugural Season:.......................................... 1993(31-27)All-Time Record:................................................ 714-308-2Conference Championships:.....................2(1996,2000)NCAA Appearances:................................. 15(1994-2008)College World Series Apps.:............8(1996-2000,2003, 2004,2007)Best Finish:.............................................. 2nd(1996,1999)

HUSKIES EXECUTIVE STAFF

Thelatest,officialinformationon2009WashingtonHuskySoftball,includinggametimes,schedules,statistics,rosters,bios,videos,pressconferencesandquotes,canbefoundatwww.GoHuskies.com.

HomegamestakeplaceatHuskySoftballStadium.Toordertickets,visitwww.GoHuskies.comorcall206 543-2200.Forlatestgametimes,call206 543-TIME.

HUSKY ATHLETICS

ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Richard KilwienAssoc.AD-CommunicationsO:(206)543-8333M:(206)795-8158email:rkilwien@u.washington.edu

Jeff BechtholdDirectorofAthleticCommunicationsandSportsInformationDirector:FootballandBaseballO:(206)685-7910M:(206)473-8657email:bechtold@u.washington.edu

Rosie LeutzingerAssistantDirectorofAthleticCommunications:Softball,Men’s&Women’sSwimming,Women’sSoccerO:(206)685-3119M:(206)406-2007email:rleutzinger@ica.washington.edu

Jen CohenSr.Assoc.AD-AdvancementO:(206)221-4850email:jcohen@u.washington.edu

Mark EmmertPresidentoftheUniversityofWashingtonO:(206)543-5010email:memmert@washington.edubio:http://gohuskies.cstv.com/genrel/emmert_mark00.html

Scott WoodwardDirectorofAthleticsO:(206)543-2212email:swoodward@washington.edubio:http://gohuskies.cstv.com/genrel/woodward_scott00.html

O.D VincentSr.AssociateAD-AthleticProgramsO:(206)543-2317email:ovincent@washington.edubio:http://gohuskies.cstv.com/genrel/vincent_o.d.00.html

Stephanie RempeSr.AssociateAD-AthleticProgramsO:(206)543-2279email:srempe@washington.edubio:http://gohuskies.cstv.com/genrel/rempe_stephanie00.html

Paul KingSr.AssociateAD-Business&FinanceO:(206)685-7554email:pking@washington.edubio:http://gohuskies.cstv.com/genrel/king_paul00.html

John MorrisSr.Associate.AD-Compliance&StudentDevelopmentO:(206)543-4621email:jgmorris@washington.edubio:http://gohuskies.cstv.com/genrel/morris_john00.html

W A S H I N G T O N H U S K I E S 2009 S O F T B A L L

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Danielle Lawrie5-7•Jr.•P

Langley,B.C.

Dani Stuart5-2•Sr.•3B

Centralia,Wash.

Marnie Koziol5-8•Sr.•OF

Renton,Wash.

2 Niki Williams5-9•Fr.•IF

MissionViejo,Calif.

Kimi Pohlman5-8•Fr.•OF

Sammamish,Wash.

Amanda Fleischman5-10•Jr.•UT

Woodinville,Wash.

Alicia Blake5-9•Sr.•C

Olympia,Wash.

Jenna Clifton5-6•Fr.•OF/UTGlendale,Ariz.

Jessica Ventoza5-6•Sr.•IF

Seattle,Wash.

Ashley Charters5-9•Sr.•IF

Beaverton,Ore.

Morgan Stuart5-8•So.•SS

Riverside,Calif.

Taylor Smith5-9•Fr.•C/OF

Olympia,Wash.

Heather TarrHeadCoach

(5thyear)

Gina CarbonattoAssistantCoach

(1styear)

Lance GlasoeAssistantCoach

(1styear)

J.T. D’AmicoVolunteerAssistantCoach

(1styear)

HUSKIES AT A GLANCE

1 3 4 5

6 1110 12 14

15 18

Ashlyn Watson5-7•Sr.•1B

GardenGrove,Calif.

Lauren Greer5-9•Sr.•OF

Placentia,Calif.

Alyson McWherter5-5•Jr.•OF

Lakewood,Wash.

Ashley Tuiasosopo5-8•So.•OF

Woodinville,Wash.

Bailey Stenson5-4•Jr.•OF

Auburn,Wash.

Felecia Harris5-10•Fr.•P/1B

Kent,Wash.

2019 21

22 25 44

Dru HesterStudentAssistant

(1styear)

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2009 ROSTER

NO. NAME P B/T HT CL EXP HOMETOWN (HIGH SCHOOL / LAST SCHOOL)

1 DaniStuart 3B R/R 5-2 SR 2V Centralia,Wash.(Centralia/Syracuse)

2 MarnieKoziol OF L/R 5-8 SR 3V Renton,Wash.(Liberty)

3 NikiWilliams IF R/R 5-9 FR HS MissionViejo,Calif.(ElToro)

4 KimiPohlman OF L/L 5-8 FR HS Sammamish,Wash.(TheBearCreekSchool)

5 AmandaFleischman UTL L/R 5-10 JR 2V Woodinville,Wash.(Woodinville)

6 TaylorSmith C/OF R/R 5-9 FR HS Olympia,Wash.(Timberline)

10 JessicaVentoza IF L/R 5-6 SR 1V Seattle,Wash.(SeattleChristian/WesternNebraskaCC)

11 AshleyCharters IF L/R 5-9 SR* 3V Beaverton,Ore.(Southridge)

12 AliciaBlake C L/L 5-9 SR 3V Olympia,Wash.(Yelm)

14 JennaClifton OF/UT R/R 5-6 FR HS Glendale,Ariz.(NorthwestChristianSchool)

15 DanielleLawrie P R/R 5-7 JR* 2V Langley,BritishColumbia(BrookswoodSecondary)

18 MorganStuart SS R/R 5-8 SO 1V Riverside,Calif.(RiversidePoly)

19 AshleyTuiasosopo OF R/R 5-8 SO 1V Woodinville,Wash.(Woodinville)

20 BaileyStenson OF L/R 5-4 JR 2V Auburn,Wash.(Auburn)

21 LaurenGreer OF L/L 5-9 SR* 3V Placentia,Calif.(MaterDei)

22 AlysonMcWherter OF R/R 5-5 JR 2V Lakewood,Wash.(Lakes)

25 AshlynWatson 1B R/R 5-7 SR 3V GardenGrove,Calif.(Pacifica)

44 FeleciaHarris P/1B R/R 5-10 FR HS Kent,Wash.(Kentlake)

*Has utilized redshirt Head Coach:HeatherTarr(5thseason)

Assistant Coaches: GinaCarbonatto(1stseason),LanceGlasoe(1stseason)

Volunteer Assistant: J.T.D’Amico(1stseason)

Student Assistant:DruHester(1stseason)

Pronunciation Guide

Seniors (7)AliciaBlakeAshleyChartersLaurenGreerMarnieKoziolDaniStuartJessicaVentozaAshlynWatson

Juniors (4) AmandaFleischmanDanielleLawrieAlysonMcWherterBaileyStenson

Sophomores (2)MorganStuartAshleyTuiasosopo

Freshmen (5) JennaCliftonFeleciaHarrisKimiPohlmanTaylorSmithNikiWilliams

Breakdown By Class Alphabetical Roster

12 AliciaBlake

11 AshleyCharters

14 JennaClifton

5 AmandaFleischman

21 LaurenGreer

44 FeleciaHarris

2 MarnieKoziol

15 DanielleLawrie

22 AlysonMcWherter

4 KimiPohlman

6 TaylorSmith

20 BaileyStenson

1 DaniStuart

18 MorganStuart

19 AshleyTuiasosopo

10 JessicaVentoza

25 AshlynWatson

3 NikiWilliams

AliciaBlake.............................................uh-LEE-sha

MarnieKoziol........................................COH-zee-uhl

AmandaFleischman............................... FLY-shmen

DanielleLawrie.............................................. LOR-ee

LanceGlasoe............................................GLASS-oh

AshleyTuiasosopo................ two-EE-ah-so-SO-po

FeleciaHarris.........................................fuh-LEE-sha

Numerical Roster

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SCHEDULE/MEDIA INFORMATION

2009 SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Location TimeRED DESERT CLASSIC2/6 Tennessee St.George,Utah Noon2/6 BYU St.George,Utah 2:30p.m.2/7 SouthernUtah St.George,Utah 10a.m.2/7 LoyolaMarymount St.George,Utah 12:30p.m.2/8 Utah St.George,Utah 10a.m.CAmpbELL CARTIER CLASSIC2/13 UC-SantaBarbara SanDiego,Calif. 9a.m.2/13 UtahState SanDiego,Calif. 2p.m.2/14 SanDiegoState SanDiego,Calif. 7p.m.2/15 LongBeachState SanDiego,Calif. 11:30a.m.CAThEDRAL CITy CLASSIC 2/20 LongIsland PalmSprings,Calif. 10:30a.m.2/20 Florida PalmSprings,Calif. 5:30p.m.2/21 Mississippi PalmSprings,Calif. 6p.m.2/22 Nebraska PalmSprings,Calif. 10a.m.2/22 OhioState PalmSprings,Calif. NoonhuSky SofTbALL CLASSIC2/27 Portland State vs. Seattle Seattle, Wash. Noon2/27 Seattle Seattle, Wash. 3 p.m.2/28 Seattle vs. Boise State Seattle, Wash. 10 a.m.2/28 Boise State vs. Portland State Seattle, Wash. 12:30 p.m.2/28 Portland State Seattle, Wash. 3 p.m.3/1 Boise State vs. Seattle Seattle, Wash. 10 a.m.3/1 Portland State Seattle, Wash. 12:30 p.m.3/1 Boise State Seattle, Wash. 2:30 p.m.EASTon SEC/pAC-10/bIg 12 ChALLEngE3/6 Baylor Tuscaloosa,Ala. 11a.m.3/6 @Alabama Tuscaloosa,Ala. 4p.m.3/7 Georgia Tuscaloosa,Ala. 9a.m.3/7 @Alabama Tuscaloosa,Ala. 11:30a.m.3/8 Georgia Tuscaloosa,Ala. 9a.m.JuDI gARmAn CLASSIC3/12 FloridaState Fullerton,Calif. 11a.m.3/13 PennState Fullerton,Calif. 3:30p.m.3/13 Michigan Fullerton,Calif. 7:30p.m.3/14 FresnoState Fullerton,Calif. 5:30p.m.3/15 Cal-StateFullerton Fullerton,Calif. 3:30p.m.3/21 New Mexico (DH) Seattle, Wash. Noon3/22 New Mexico Seattle, Wash. Noon3/27 @California* Berkeley,Calif. 3p.m.3/28 @Stanford* PaloAltoCalif. 1p.m.3/29 @Stanford* PaloAlto,Calif. Noon4/3 Arizona* Seattle, Wash. 1 p.m.4/4 Arizona State* Seattle, Wash. 3 p.m.4/5 Arizona State* Seattle, Wash. Noon4/10 @UCLA* LosAngeles,Calif. 1p.m.4/11 @UCLA* LosAngeles,Calif. 1p.m.4/17 @Oregon* Eugene,Ore. 4p.m.4/18 @OregonState* Corvallis,Ore. 1p.m.4/19 @OregonState* Corvallis,Ore. Noon4/24 @ArizonaState* Tempe,Ariz. 7p.m.4/25 @Arizona* Tucson,Ariz. 7p.m.4/26 @Arizona* Tucson,Ariz. Noon4/29 UCLA* Seattle, Wash. 1 p.m.5/1 Oregon State* Seattle, Wash. 1 p.m.5/2 Oregon* Seattle, Wash. 3 p.m.5/3 Oregon* Seattle, Wash. Noon5/7 Stanford* Seattle, Wash. 1 p.m.5/8 California* Seattle, Wash. 3 p.m.5/9 California* Seattle, Wash. Noon5/15-17 NCAARegionals TBA TBA5/22-24 NCAASuperRegionals TBA TBA5/28-31 NCAAWorldSeries OklahomaCity,Okla. TBA

*IndicatesPac-10ConferenceGame AllTimesPacificBold indicateshomegame (DH)IndicatesDoubleheader

huskies on The Airwaves KKNWAM-1150, through rights-holderWashington ISP Sports Network, willcarry 10 Husky softball games duringthe regular season and will carry allpostseasongames.

Longtime baseball play-by-play manMikeBrownreturnsforhis11thseasonbehind the microphone, while JohnCowley delivers color commentary forhisseventhseasonwiththeDawgs.All

gameswillairliveonKKNW,andarealsoavailableovertheinternetatwww.GoHuskies.comorwww.newschannel1150.com.Broadcastschedulesubjecttochange.Iffacilitiesallow,allotherHuskysoftballgameswillbebroadcastliveonwww.GoHuskies.comwithsoftballmediarelationscontactRosieLeutzingercallingtheplay-by-play.

kknW Am-1150 broadcast ScheduleDate Opponent Location Time3/21 NewMexico Seattle,Wash. Noon3/21 NewMexico Seattle,Wash. 2p.m.3/22 NewMexico Seattle,Wash. Noon4/3 Arizona Seattle,Wash. 1p.m.4/10 @UCLA LosAngeles,Calif. 1p.m.4/11 @UCLA LosAngeles,Calif. 1p.m.4/29 UCLA Seattle,Wash. 1p.m.5/1 OregonState Seattle,Wash. 1p.m.5/7 Stanford Seattle,Wash. 1p.m.5/8 California Seattle,Wash. 3p.m.

media RequestsAllrequestsforworkingpress,radio,televisionorphotocredentialsshouldbedirectedtotheWashingtonAthleticCommunicationsofficeatleast24hoursinadvance.Requestscanbemadebycallingore-mailingRosieLeutzinger,thesoftballmediarelationscontact.Shecanbereachedinheroffice(206-685-3119),bycellphone(206-406-2007)orbye-mail(rleutzinger@ica.washington.edu).

Allrequestsforinterviewswithplayersand/orcoachesmustbemadeviatheAthleticCommunicationsoffice,preferablywitha24-hournotice.Inmostcases,playersareavailable for interviews30minutesprior toeachday’spractice.Ongamedays,playersandcoachesareavailableapproximately10minutesafterthegame.PleasepresentanyrequeststoRosieLeutzingerpriortotheconclusionofeachgame.

Weekly Release & RecapsWashingtonmakesitsathletics-relatedmediareleasesavailableonit’swebsite,www.GoHuskies.com.Thesoftballweeklyreleasewillbepostedeachweekontheschool’swebsiteinAdobePDFFormat.Thereleaseisalsoavailablethroughe-mail.Gamerecapswillbepostedonlinefollowingeachcontestandcanbesentviae-mailifrequested.

Anymembersofthemediainterestedinhavingtheweeklyreleaseandgamerecapse-mailedtothemshouldrequesttobeaddedtothegeneralrelease/recaplistbye-mailingsoftballmediarelationscontactRosieLeutzingeratrleutzinger@ica.washington.edu.

SEASON PREVIEW

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SEASON PREVIEWTalent,health,experienceandhunger.The2009Wash-ingtonHuskiesappeartohavealltheingredientsforanationalchampionshiprun.

For the first time in her five years as head coach,Heather Tarr has a team of players who have spentafullfouryearsinhersystemandknowwhatsheex-pectsanddemands.Atotalof10playersremainfromthe 2007 squad which reached the NCAA semifinalsandtheyhaveahungertogetbackthereandearntheoneprizethathaseludedtheHuskiesin16highly-suc-cessful years of the program: a National Champion-ship.

Included in that group of 10 are seven seniors, twoof which have been with Tarr since her first seasonin 2005 when the team missed the Women’s CollegeWorld Series by one game. The group got over thehumpin2007,learningvaluablelessonstheveteranshopetocarryontotheeightplayerswhohavenotyethad a taste of Super Regional or World Series suc-cess.

“This year is kind of the culmination of what we’vebeenbuildingsinceIgothere.Theplayersknowwhatwe expect, know what playing here is all about andknow what it’s like to go to the World Series,” Tarr,whohasa142-91-1recordatUW,said.“Myfirstfewyearshere,wehadn’tgonetotheWorldSeriessowehad to reiterate to them, ‘This is what it’s like to getthere.’In2007,wewerefortunateenoughtogettheresonowtheleadersknowwhatit’slike.

“That’s what’s so exciting about this season is ourteamexpectstobesuccessfulandtheyexpecttogoto the World Series and they know what it takes togetthere,”Tarrcontinued.“Theveteransareabletopassalongtotheyoungplayerswhatittakes.They’reshowingthemtheway,notnecessarilyhavingtotellthem,butthey’reabletomodelitfortheyoungerplay-ers.”

The Huskies earned their 15th consecutive postsea-sonberthin2007withouttheservicesofthreestart-ers – including two All-Americans – who redshirtedfor various reasons. Two-time All-American infielderAshley Charters had hip surgery prior to the seasonwhileAll-Pac-10outfielderLaurenGreerhadashoul-der injury which required surgery 14 games into theseason.Ontopofthoseinjuries,theteamwasalreadymissing All-American pitcher Danielle Lawrie, whoredshirted the 2008 season to play for the CanadianNationalTeaminthe2008OlympicGames.

Withallthreeplayersbacktofullstrength,agroupof10returningplayerswhohadtheopportunitytostepupandearnvaluableexperienceintheirabsenceandoneofTarr’sbestrecruitingclassesinhertenure,theHuskieslookpoisedtomakearunatthenationaltitleafterbeingatthedoorstepin2007.

“I think our team knows what the big picture is allabout,”Tarrsaid.“Theyunderstandyouhavetoplaywell inFebruary.Ourschedule istoughandtheyun-derstand it’s going to prepare us to play well in theend.Theyknowhowitistobeinanif-gameatare-gional.TheyknowwhatSuperRegionalsareallabout.We’regoingtohaveexperiencesplayingontheroad,likewhenweplayinAlabama,whereitwillbeaRe-gional- or Super Regional-kind of environment. OurteamunderstandswhatOctober,November,Decem-berandJanuarymeantoMayandthat’sanicethingtohave.”

THE BATTERYThemostimportantpieceofthepuzzlebackinplacefortheHuskiesin2009is juniorAll-AmericanpitcherDanielleLawrie,whoreturnsafterayearofhardworkpreparingforandplayinginthe2008OlympicGames.The last timeLawriewason themoundfor theHus-kies,shewasthrowingano-hitterandaone-hitterinback-to-back games to open the 2007 Women’s Col-legeWorldSeriestoputUWonewinawayfromthechampionshipseriesbeforefallingtoPac-10rivalandeventualNationalChampions,Arizona.

Afterstrikingoutaschool-record457battersin2007,Lawriewillbeback in2009onamission, looking forredemption.

“We’re excited for Danielle to come back more ma-tureandmorementallytough,”Tarrsaid.“She’solder,wiser and more experienced and she’s got a couplemore things she’s added to her pitching repertoire.She’sbeenworkingonsomethingsmentally,aswell,thatwillhelpherconservesomeenergyandbeagoodleaderinthecircle.”

Lawrie will not have to carry all the pitching load in2009, thanks to promising freshman Felecia Harris,whohasbeenworkinghardinthefalltohelpforma1-2punchwithLawrie.

“Felecia has made the adjustments with her speedthis fallandhasgainedprobablyfivemiles-per-hour.It’s been nice to see her develop,” Tarr said. “Themoreconsistentshebecomes,themorehelpfulitwillbeforourteam.Welookforhertoplayamajorroleonourpitchingstaff.”

Another freshman, multi-dimensional Jenna Clifton,willalsoseesometimeinthecircle.Cliftonhasbeenworking with new assistant coach Lance Glasoe tobuildonhernaturalabilities.

“JennahasbeendevelopingnicelyasaNo.3,”Tarrcommented. “Lance has done a good job of help-ing her create a good foundation and build on it. Ofallthreepitchers,sheprobablyhasthetightestspin.That’ssomethingyoueitherhaveordon’thave.She’sacompetitiveathleteandshefieldsherpositionreallywellsowe’llputherinsomesituationswhereshe’llbeabletocompeteanddosomegoodthings.”

Withtwoofthethreepitchershavingnocollegeexpe-rience,theadjustmentwillbeeasierwithtwoveterancatchers behind the plate. Senior All-Pac-10 selec-tionAliciaBlakewillcarrymostofthecatchingloadin 2009, coming off the best season of her career inwhichsheledtheHuskiesinbattingaverage,sluggingpercentageanddoublesandtiedfortheteamleadinhomeruns.ShealsoledthePac-10inrunnerscaughtstealing,throwingout16onthebasepaths.

“It’snicetohaveaveteraninAliciaBlakebehindtheplateforus,”saidTarr.“She’sprettymuchcaughtthemajorityofinningsthelastcoupleyearsbuthadsometimeofffromcatchingDaniellelastyearsoIthinkit’llbegoodforhertogetbackingroovewithher.”

Blake will earn some much-needed rest throughoutthe season thanks to utility-player-extraordinaire,AmandaFleischman.ThehonorablementionAll-Pac-10selectionstartedall56gamesfortheHuskieslastseasonatfivedifferentpositions,including14behindtheplate.

“Amanda is very versatile and valuable and she’s agoodleader,”Tarrsaid.“She’sjustaverygoodathletebehindtheplatesowhethershecatchesDanielleorFeleciaorJennaisyettobedetermined.”

THE INFIELDTheinfieldisanchoredbyseniortwo-timeAll-Ameri-can Ashley Charters, who will be in the running forseveralnationalawards.Charterstooklastyearofftorepairaninjuredhipafteraspectacular2007seasoninwhichshebatted .391andshowedherspeedandpower,hittingsevenhomerunsandstealing36bases.Theleadoffhitteralsorosetotheoccasionincrunchtime,beingnamedtotheWomen’sCollegeWorldSe-ries All-Tournament team, hitting .364 with two dou-bles,threerunsandthreestolenbasesintheteam’sfourgamesinOklahomaCity.

“WehaveaveteraninfieldandAshleyCharterswith-out question is our leader,” Tarr said. “Whether shestartsatshortstopeverygameornotdoesn’tindicateherabilitytolead.Shecanleadfromsecondbaseorshortstop,butit’sherinfieldthisyearandshe’sgoingtotakecontrolofitassheseesnecessary.Inmyopin-ion,she’soneof thebest twoplayers in thecountryrightnowandshe’sbeenprettyunderratedinthepast.We’reluckyshe’shealthyandabletocontributeandgooutonagoodnote.”

The Huskies will also expect big things from sopho-moreMorganStuart,whohadasolidfreshmansea-son, leading the team in RBI and tying for the teamleadinhomerunsenroutetoearningHonorableMen-tionAll-Pac-10honors.

“Morganhadasolidfreshmanyearandit’snicetobeabletolookatherandknowshe’snotafreshmanany-moreandbeabletoseehermoreasaveteranonthisteam,”Tarrsaid.“She’saverycomposedplayerandhastheabilitytocompetewithChartersatshortstop.Shedoessomedifferent things thanAshleyandhassome different strengths but she’s probably going tostayontheleftsideoftheinfield.”

Tarr will also look for big contributions from seniorAshlyn Watson, who came up big down the stretchfortheHuskies,includingawalk-off,two-runsingleinUW’s3-2NCAARegional-openingvictoryoverTexas.

All-American Danielle Lawrie is back in the circle for the Huskies after spending 2008 with the Cana-dian National Team.

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YSEASON PREVIEW“Ashlyn’sarmisfinallyhealthyenoughforhertoplayamajordefensiveroleandherleadershipcapabilitiesare unlimited. She’s a great field leader and overallleaderforourprogram,”Tarrsaid.“Tohaveherasaleaderonthedirtasopposedtojustinthedugoutnowisgoingtobenefitourteam.I’mexcitedforhertocon-tributeoffensivelyanddefensivelythisyear.”

Afreshmanwhocouldmakeanimmediate impact isNikiWilliams,whoshowedinthefallwhatshe’scapa-bleof,hittingagrandslaminherfirstcollegiateat-bat.Shewillcompetefor timeat thirdandfirstbaseandshouldaddsomepoptotheHuskylineup.

“Niki was probably our most pleasant surprise fromthefall,”Tarrsaid.“She’salwaysplayedonverygoodclubteamsanddonewellatthatlevel.Sometimesyougetletdownbyfreshmenwhentheycomeinanddon’tmeetthoseexpectationsimmediately,butshe’scomeinandbeenabletofillthoseshoesasabigpartofthefreshmanclass.Shehasapowerfulbatandislearningmoreaboutherswingbutshe’sgotalotofgoodpoten-tial.She’sagreatpersonandagoodteammate.”

TarrwillalsotrytofindtimeforseniorJessicaVentoza,whohasmadehugestridesaftertransferringfromthejunior college ranks two years ago. Likewise, fellowsenior and transfer Dani Stuart played a key role atthirdbasein2007andwilllooktodothesamein2009.

AmandaFleischmanwillbeabletofillinatfirst,thirdandshortstop,havingwhatTarrcallsthemostrangeon the team at third thanks to her large wing span.FreshmanFeleciaHarriscouldalsocompetefortimeatfirstbase,whileAliciaBlakewillalsospendtimeatfirstwhenshe’snotbehindtheplate.

“We’reluckythisyearthatwehavesomepowerhit-terswhoaregoingtocompetefortimeatfirst,”Tarrsaid. “Anytime you have a team where people arecompeting for time at first base because of their of-fensivecapabilities,you’reinagoodplace.”

THE OUTFIELDThree-time All-American outfielder Gina Carbonattowilloverseeaveterangroupwhichwillbecrowdedin2009,withall threereturningoutfieldersbeingjoinedby All-Pac-10 senior Lauren Greer, who will slowlymakeherwaybackafterseason-endingshouldersur-gerylastyear.Inher14gamesbeforeshuttingdown,

Greer showed her offensive potential, belting threehomerunsandleadingtheteamwith11RBI.

“YoualwaystrustLaurenbecauseshe’saveteranandshe’salwaysbeenabletoperforminouroutfield,”Tarrsaid.“She’sgoingtoslowlygetbackinthereandtran-sitionintoafull-timedefensiveplayerafterFebruary.”

Untilthen,threeveteranswilllooktoholddowntheirspots while being challenged by a trio of freshmen.Senior Marnie Koziol and juniors Alyson McWherterand Bailey Stenson all return with a full season ofexperiencetogetherundertheirbelt.McWherterandStensonbothplayed55of56gameswhileKoziolstart-edall56gamesinleftfield.

“CoachCarbonattohasdoneagood jobofdevelop-ingAlysonintheoutfieldforacoupleyearsnow,”saidTarr. “She made some great plays at the end of theyear at the NCAA Regional and came up with somebigcatches.She’sgotsomegoodexperiencenowun-derherbelt.Baileyisprobablyourmostwell-roundedoutfielderasfarasgettinggoodreadsandjumpsandshehasgoodleadershipcapabilitiesandcanmanageanoutfield.”

Koziol, meanwhile, has been holding down leftfieldforthreeyearsandhadabigyearin2008withcareerhighsinrunsscoredandstolenbases,rankingfourthintheconferenceinthelattercategory.AmandaFleis-chman,whowassixthintheconferencewith16sto-lenbases,willalsoseetimeintheoutfield,havingtheabilitytoplayanyofthethreepositions.

Three freshmen, along with sophomore Ashley Tuia-sosopo, will look to break apart that group and getsomevaluableplayingtime.JennaClifton,KimiPohl-manandTaylorSmitharefreshmenTarrsees lotsofpromisein.

“Jennaisveryversatileandshecanplayprettymuchanywhereonthefield.She’snotaverybigperson,butshe swings the bat with a lot of bat speed and cando some good things. Kimi is capable of playing allthreepositionsandCoachCarbonattohasbeenverypleasedwithherdevelopmentandherrawskillsasanoutfielder.She’s justahairslowerthanAshleyChar-terssothat’sneattoknowwehavetwovery,veryfastindividuals.”

THE DESIGNATED PLAYERS Withacrowdedhouseinboththeinfieldandoutfield,Tarr will have the luxury of playing a lot of differenthandstoseewhomeshesbest,whilealsotryingoutahandfulofplayersatdesignatedplayer.

ThereturnofDanielleLawrienotonlygivestheHus-kiesoneofthebestrightarmsinthecountry,butitalsoputssomepopbackinthelineupasLawriebashed10homerunsin2007.Whenshe’snotplayingfirst,Ash-lynWatsoncouldalsoseetimeatDP,aswillfreshmanFeleciaHarris,whobringsabigbattoUW.

“DPisgoingtobeprettycompetitive,”Tarrsaid.“WeknowwhatDanielle’sbeenable todo in thepastsowe’relookingforhertobringinafewmorerunsthanbefore. Felecia swings a pretty mighty bat too andshe’sathreatattheplate.We’rehappytohaveheronourteamandnothavetofaceher.”

LaurenGreerwillalsoseetimeatDP,especiallyearlyin theseasonwhilesherecovers fromshouldersur-gery.

THE COACHING STAFFWhile Tarr settles into her fifth season at her almamater, three new coaches join the staff and will beready to take the program to the next level. OutfieldcoachGinaCarbonatto,pitchingcoachLanceGlasoeandvolunteerassistantJ.T.D’Amico–whoworkswiththeinfield–willbringanewenergytoaveteranteam.Additionally, Dru Hester, who played for the Huskiesthe last two years, will serve as a student assistantcoach.

“TheteamhasrespondedwelltoourstaffandIthinkeveryone really complements each other well,” Tarrsaid. “Lance has done some good things with thepitchersandGinahasdoneagreatjobofestablishingherself as a pretty tough outfield coach who knowswhat’sshe’sexpecting.Druhasbeenaniceadditionassheknowswhatoursystemisallabout.Sheknowswhat Iwantandexpectssoshe’sagoodseguebe-tweentheteamandstaff.”

THE SCHEDULEAsalways,theHuskieswillgainvaluableexperienceplaying in top pre-season tournaments before em-barking on an always-adventurous Pac-10 season,arguablythebestconferenceinthecountry.

Washington will face five of the eight teams thatcompeted in the2008CollegeWorldSeries, threeofwhichcomefromthePac-10.InadditiontodefendingnationalchampionArizonaState,ArizonaandUCLA,theHuskieswillalsotakeonCWSparticipantsFloridaandAlabama.

“We’reexcitedtoapplyourteamtotheschedule.It’sprobably one of the toughest we’ve had since I’vebeen here,” Tarr said. “We always schedule a com-petitive pre-season and try to go to the most presti-gious tournaments. We’ve been able to put a prettygoodscheduletogethertoprepareusforPac-10playandthepostseasonplay.”

A difficult schedule will certainly prepare the teamforaruntoanationalchampionship.Butnothingcanreplace theexperienceofbeing there,something10playershavedoneandhopetopassontotheunder-classmen, something they also hope will burn deepenoughwithinthemtobringthefirstsoftballnationalchampionship toaprogramthathas thirsted foronefor16years.

Ashley Charters was named Second Team All-American and WCWS All-Tournament in 2007.

Lauren Greer had three home runs and 11 RBI in 2008 before suffering a shoulder injury.