Freshmen lead storm
Rookie Johnnies Kat Lawrence and Kacee Cox '08 statistics bode well for softball's future
Chris Harris, Staff Writer
Issue date: 4/16/08Section: Sports
The team is struggling, but there is hope.
The St. John's softball team has lost 13 of their last 15 contests and currently stand with a 2-12 conference record. But amidst the team's difficulties, it's been two freshmen who have given fans hope - if not for this season, then certainly for ones to come.
In their first season together in Queens, Kacee Cox and pitcher Kat Lawrence have already become game-impacting players for the Red Storm.
Their names can be found at the top of plenty of hitting and pitching statistical columns - homeruns, RBIs, slugging percentage, innings pitched, wins, starts and strikeouts, to name a few - and both have become vital contributors this year and sure staples in lineup cards of the future.
Over the season, Cox has been asked to play a number of positions for the Storm including catcher, third base and designated player.
While displaying her versatility in the field, Cox has emerged as the team's offensive spark.
Her 71 total bases, 28 RBIs, 25 runs scored, 7 homeruns, 12 doubles and .563 slugging percentage lead the team. Her 38 hits and .302 batting average are good for second.
Her journey to the team began two years ago in the recruiting hotbed of California. Cox is one of 11 Red Storm players from that state, but the only one to call Simi Valley home.
Head coach Amy Kvilhaug spotted the power hitter while scouting one of her teammates.
"Her parents got to know me and liked what our program was about, so we got her," Kvilhaug said.
Cox finished her career at Royal High School in very rewarding fashion. She was a three-year letter winner and two-time offensive player of the year.
By the time she was five, she had already made the decision to focus her athletic ability on softball. When the time came for a college choice, it was the distance from home that drew her cross country to St. John's.
Only miles away from Cox, in Rohnert Park, Calif., the Johnnies found the pitching sensation they needed. Lawrence, a two-time Sonoma County league MVP while in California, was recruited to fill the void at the pitcher position for the Red Storm.
The St. John's softball team has lost 13 of their last 15 contests and currently stand with a 2-12 conference record. But amidst the team's difficulties, it's been two freshmen who have given fans hope - if not for this season, then certainly for ones to come.
In their first season together in Queens, Kacee Cox and pitcher Kat Lawrence have already become game-impacting players for the Red Storm.
Their names can be found at the top of plenty of hitting and pitching statistical columns - homeruns, RBIs, slugging percentage, innings pitched, wins, starts and strikeouts, to name a few - and both have become vital contributors this year and sure staples in lineup cards of the future.
Over the season, Cox has been asked to play a number of positions for the Storm including catcher, third base and designated player.
While displaying her versatility in the field, Cox has emerged as the team's offensive spark.
Her 71 total bases, 28 RBIs, 25 runs scored, 7 homeruns, 12 doubles and .563 slugging percentage lead the team. Her 38 hits and .302 batting average are good for second.
Her journey to the team began two years ago in the recruiting hotbed of California. Cox is one of 11 Red Storm players from that state, but the only one to call Simi Valley home.
Head coach Amy Kvilhaug spotted the power hitter while scouting one of her teammates.
"Her parents got to know me and liked what our program was about, so we got her," Kvilhaug said.
Cox finished her career at Royal High School in very rewarding fashion. She was a three-year letter winner and two-time offensive player of the year.
By the time she was five, she had already made the decision to focus her athletic ability on softball. When the time came for a college choice, it was the distance from home that drew her cross country to St. John's.
Only miles away from Cox, in Rohnert Park, Calif., the Johnnies found the pitching sensation they needed. Lawrence, a two-time Sonoma County league MVP while in California, was recruited to fill the void at the pitcher position for the Red Storm.
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