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Trevecca
Softball 2002 Season Recap
Region
XI Tournament
Coverage
TranSouth
Tournament Coverage
In the spring 2002 the Trevecca Lady Trojans Softball Team completed the best season in Trevecca softball history. Throughout the season the Lady Trojans played with unprecedented success as Head Coach Angela Sullivan and Assistant Coach Michelle Choate led the team right into the TNU record books. With only two seniors on the team and five freshmen, the young ball club emerged as an unforeseen threat in both the TranSouth Conference and Region XI. Through its powerful offensive lineup and dominant pitching staff, Trevecca was able to build confidence and strength that made it a force to be reckoned with throughout the season.
As the season got underway, the Lady Trojans came out on fire going undefeated in their first six games including two big wins against conference foe Freed-Hardeman. The highly motivated Lady Trojans went on to gain national recognition, defeating Culver Stockton College, Athens State College, and Union University. All three teams were ranked in the top 20 in the NAIA. By the end of the first month of play, the Lady Trojans found themselves ranked #20 in the NAIA Top 25 national rankings and #2 in the Region XI poll. This time was the first that a Trevecca softball has ever been ranked nationally.
During this winning period the Lady Trojans’ pitching staff dominated opposing teams led by freshman ace Hollie Shane. Shane’s pitching performances earned conference recognition midway through the season when she was named TranSouth Conference Pitcher of the Week. During the week Shane threw 14 innings, giving up only 3 earned runs and striking out 7 as the Lady Trojans improved to 16-4 overall and 5-1 in the conference. Offensively, Trevecca was led by two freshman standouts who brought speed and consistency to the batting lineup. Freshman shortstop Rone’ Phelps earned TranSouth Conference Player of the Week honors early in the season after knocking in the winning run against #9 Athens State College. Phelps batted 7-for-14 on the week with 4 doubles, 4 RBIs, and 1 stolen base and scored 3 runs. On the other side of the diamond, freshman second baseman Jami Toomey earned both TranSouth and Region XI Player of the Week honors shortly after her teammate did. Toomey, during the week, batted 8-for-21 with 6 RBIs and 6 runs scored including batting 2-for-4 with a two-run triple and a pair of runs scored against conference foe Martin Methodist College.
Midway through the season the Lady Trojans found themselves in unfamiliar territory. The Lady Trojans stood atop the TranSouth Conference with an 18-6 overall record and 5-1 conference record. As a team, Trevecca was ranked first in six different categories in the TranSouth Conference, including doubles (38), triples (8), home runs (4), walks (74), fielding percentage (.960), and double plays (9). They were also ranked second in team-earned run average (1.266), runs batted in (110), and fewest errors (31).
Individually, the Lady Trojans were well represented throughout the conference. Offensive powerhouse Rone’ Phelps, a freshman shortstop, led the TranSouth Conference in batting (.437), runs batted in (19), and doubles (11). Phelps was also ranked 3rd in triples (1) and 10th in runs scored (12). Freshman second baseman Jami Toomey also set the conference on fir, ranked 1st in home runs and triples, 2nd in runs scored, and 3rd in batting and runs batted in. Toomey also led the team in stolen bases, swiping 7 steals in 8 attempts.
While the Trevecca offense blasted opposing pitchers, the Trevecca pitching staff remained untouchable led by junior ace Wendy Allen. Midway through the season Allen owned a 1.60 ERA and was ranked 6th in the conference in strikeouts (34) and 5th in complete games (7). Allen also got the job done with the bat with a 3rd place ranking in runs batted in (15) and 2nd place ranking in doubles (8). Along with Allen, freshman pitcher Hollie Shane held a perfect 7-0 record at the mid-season mark with a miniscule 1.05 ERA. Shane also led the region in saves (4) and had 5 complete games.
As the season continued, the Lady Trojans continued to dominate, finishing 2nd in the conference in the regular season. As the team prepared for the TranSouth Conference Tournament, several players were awarded All-TranSouth honors. Four players made the 2002 All-TranSouth Athletic Conference Team. Freshmen stars Rone’ Phelps, Jami Toomey, and Hollie Shane were awarded the honor along with junior pitching ace Wendy Allen. While the girls were receiving their awards, Trevecca Head Coach Angela Sullivan received an award of her own. Coach Sullivan was named 2002 TranSouth Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. Sullivan finished the season with a 78-75 career record at Trevecca and is now the winningest softball coach in TNU history.
With the awards tucked away, the Lady Trojans prepared for the conference tournament. Seeded #2, the Lady Trojans made quick work of their first round opponent, defeating host team Lee University 1-0. In the second round, top seeded Union University sent Trevecca to the loser’s bracket with a 6-1 victory over the Lady Trojans. In the loser’s bracket the Lady Trojans were eliminated by Lee University in a 3-5 loss. With the conference tournament concluded, the Lady Trojans looked ahead to the Region XI Tournament.
The #5-seed Lady Trojans faced #4-seed Cumberland University in the opening round of the Region XI Tournament. In a tough loss the Lady Trojans fell 8-0 to Cumberland and dropped to the loser’s bracket. In the second round Trevecca did not give up, defeating Martin Methodist 9-5 in a come-from- behind win. In the game Jami Toomey, Brandy Miller, Rone’ Phelps, and Wendy Allen were a combined 8-for-14 at the plate with 7 RBIs. This win gave the Lady Trojans 30 wins on the season. This win total is the most in TNU softball history.
With the season still alive the Lady Trojans continued their historic softball season with a huge come-from-behind win against Cumberland University. Trevecca’s amazing comeback started with Jami Toomey doubling to right center and Brandy Miller singling to left field. Rone’ Phelps reached on a fielder’s choice, moving Miller to second and Toomey to third. Wendy Allen then singled to left field, scoring Toomey and advancing Phelps to second and Miller to third. Courtney Dickens then doubled to right center and advanced to third on an error. The double and error scored Allen, Phelps, and Miller. Stacey Lingenfelter singled and advanced to second on an error and drove in Dickens in the process to seal the deal on the victory.
The Lady Trojans’ best softball season in history finally came to an end with a 2-1 loss to Georgetown College in the Region XI Tournament semifinals. The Lady Trojans finished 3rd in the Tournament, the best finish in TNU history, and ended with a 31-21 record. Freshman all-stars Rone’ Phelps and Jami Toomey were named to the 2002 All-Region XI Team.
Overall, the best team in Trevecca softball history is not finished. Losing only two seniors and with an entire summer to prepare, the Lady Trojans are eager to pick up where they left off and carry on the winning tradition for which Trevecca softball is now known.
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