The Rockets 2010 campaign has come to an end after failing to qualify for the Mid-American Conference tournament. Toledo finished the season with a 12-39 overall record and a 4-18 record in the MAC. The Rockets finished their season with 14 straight games on the road, posting a 4-10 record, being outscored by 21 runs.
“Clearly there was a lot of high points and some points where we still need to improve,” Toledo Head Coach Tarrah Beyster said. “I think we were able to push the program in a positive direction in regards to overall statistics in runs scored and RBI.”
Despite the disappointing record, the Rockets offense saw its most prolific offensive production since 1995. Toledo ended the year with a school record of 197 RBI and finished fourth in the MAC with 209 runs scored. Leading the offense was freshman outfielder Erinn Wright who was named to Second Team All-Mac and the All-Freshman team. Wright ended her season with a .364 batting average including three home runs and 18 RBI at 121 at bats.
“It’s a big relief that we’re going to have [Wright] for three more years,” Beyster said. “She really stepped up by winning that starting position and consistently performing at that level. She really showed her leadership offensively and it’s really exciting that she is with us for three more seasons.”
Senior catcher Mica Sanchez hit a team-high eight home runs, tied for second most in a single season, and 33 RBI. Sanchez ended her final season at Toledo with a .294 batting average and a .533 slugging percentage. Junior outfielder Kate Ricchio led the Rockets with 11 extra base hits and batted in 16 runs. Sophomore first baseman Jillian Spink led the team with 36 RBI.
The offense however, needed a few innings to get warmed up as the Rockets were outscored 57-14 in the first inning. The Rockets bats also went cold while trailing in late innings; UT was just 1-25 when trailing in the sixth inning.
Defense was a sore spot for the Rockets in 2010 as the team lead the MAC in errors with 92. Those errors in total allowed 43 unearned runs.
“Clearly the errors were the thorn in our side and that’s something we definitely need to improve on,” Coach Beyster said. “This off season we are going to work hard defensively. I think offensively we played well but taking care of the ball is where we fell short, whether it be in the infield outfield or in the pitching circle.”
UT pitchers also struggled as senior pitcher Hannah Rockhold was forced to throw 210 innings and 18 complete games on the season. Rockhold set a school record as she made her 133-career appearance in the final game of the season and ranks fifth all-time in career strikeouts. The senior finished with a 4.62 ERA and earned just eight wins and suffered 23 losses. Rockhold struck out 110 batters and gave up 139 earned runs.
“Hannah is a special person and we are going to miss her both on and off the field,” Beyster said. “We do have a freshman pitcher coming in, who has ironically chosen Hannah’s number and has big shoes to fill but I believe she is up to the task.”
Junior Whitney Young filled the void when Rockhold was unavailable and finished the season with a 6.41 ERA and a 2-7 record. Young struck out 21 while walking 29 batters in 59 innings of work.
Beyster has three open spots to fill for the 2011 season after the departures of Rockhold, Sanchez and utility player Lacey LeVier.
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