6.26.08 - CROMER NAMED NEW SOFTBALL COACH
Manchester College director of  athletics Rick Esepset has named Tracy Cromer the new head coach for the Manchester College softball program. 

Cromer comes to Manchester following five years of coaching at Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Cromer spent two years as an assistant at Northwestern College before her five year stint as a head coach.   She left with a 102-97-2 record, including three 20+ wins in a season and a pair of NAIA regional appearances.  This past season she guided her team to a 28-11 record. 

Cromer received her master's degree in Kinesiology with an empahsis in coaching from Texas Women's University in 2007 and was an four-time All-Conference infielder for the Bethel (MN) softball program as an undergraduate.

Along with her coaching duties, Cromer will serve as the PERC building coordinator and as an instructor within the Exercise and Sports Science department.

4.26.08 - MANCHESTER WRAPS UP SEASON WITH A PAIR OF LOSSES TO TRANSYLVANIA
Manchester's softball season came to a close on Saturday with two losses to Transylvania.

In game one Manchester lost 2-0 as Kristi Brown took the loss.  Brown allowed two runs on six hits while recording six strikeouts on the day.  Kristen Lancaster, Tish Bitner and Erica Bush recorded hits for MC. 

In game two Manchester lost 3-1 with Brown suffering the loss.  She allowed three runs on eight hits with five strikeouts.  Jenn Allen, Lisa Heaton, Chelsea Kunkel and Bitner recorded hits. 

Manchester finishes the year 9-21 overall, 5-11 in the HCAC. 

4.24.08 - SPARTANS POST WINS OVER HANOVER
Manchester's softball team picked up a pair of wins on Thursday over Hanover, winning game one, 4-1 and game two, 1-0. 

Erica Bush was the winning pitcher for MC in game one, with Kristi Brown recording her first save of the year. Aja Neumann and Lisa Heaton were both 2-3 with an RBI for MC. 

In game two, Brown was the winning pitcher in a 1-0 victory. Tish Bitner and Kristi Brown were each 1-2, with Bitner recording the lone RBI for MC. 

Manchester improves to 9-19 overall, 5-9 in the HCAC. They travel to Transylvania on Saturday.

4.22.08 - ANDERSON HANDS MC TWO LOSSES
The Spartan softball team fell to Anderson in doubleheader action, falling in game one 10-1 in six innings and 8-3 in eight innings. 

In game one, Erica Bush was the losing pitcher, throwing 3-2/3 innings with a strikeout and seven runs allowed.  Kristi Brown threw three strikeouts in relief.  Kristen Lancaster and Jenn Allen each had a hit for MC. 

In game two, Anderson scored five runs in the eighth to pick up an 8-3 win in an extra inning.  Brown had seven strikeouts in the game.  Allen finished 2-4 with two RBI and a double. 

Manchester moves to 6-19 overall, 3-9 in the conference.  They return home Thursday against Hanover and travel to Transylvania on Saturday. 

4.20.08 - SPARTANS SPLIT WITH FRANKLIN IN LEAGUE ACTION SUNDAY
Manchester's softball team picked up a win on Sunday's game two of a doubleheader.  Manchester fell in game one 7-6 as Franklin scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning.  Manchester rallied from a 5-1 deficit to tie the game with a three-run inning in the sixth. Kristen Lancaster, Aja Neumann and Annie Hernandez had doubles for MC. 

In game two, Tish Bitner had a homerun as MC defeated the Grizzlies 8-0.  Bitner was the winning pitcher in the contest. 

The softball team moves to 7-17 overall, 3-7 in the HCAC. 

4.19.08 - MANCHESTER SPLITS TWINBILL WITH MOUNT ST. JOSEPH, TRAVEL TO FRANKLIN SUNDAY
Manchester split a doubleheader with Mount St. Joseph, winning game one 4-3 in eight innings and falling in game two 4-1. 

Kristi Brown was the winning pitcher in the 4-3 win.  Manchester scored two in the fourth and one in the sixth to take a 3-0 lead, but MSJ scored three runs in the top of the seventh to force extra innings.  Brown had four strikeouts while giving up six hits.  Lisa Heaton was 2-3 with an RBI, Chelsea Kunkel was 0-2 with two RBI. 

In game two, Manchester scored just one run in the first inning in route to the 4-1 loss.  Erica Bush was the losing pitcher for MC, collecting two strikeouts in 5-1/3 innings.  Brown came in for relief and three three more K's on the day.  Tish Bitner and Jenn Haskell were 1-2 on the afternoon. 

Manchester moves to 6-16 overall, 2-6 in the HCAC.  They travel to Franklin on Sunday, then return home on Tuesday to host Anderson.



4.15.08 - SPARTANS FALL TO DEFIANCE 3-1, 3-2 IN LEAGUE PLAY
Manchester's softball team returned to action Tuesday, suffering a 3-1 and 3-2 loss to Defiance. 

In the 3-1 loss, Erica Bush was the losing pitcher, allowing three runs with three strikeouts in three innings pitched.  Kristi Brown threw three innings with four strikeouts.  Annie Hernandez went 2-3 to lead MC. 

Defiance hit a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh to take a 3-2 victory over the Spartans.  Kristi Brown collected seven strikeouts in the loss.  She led the team offensively with a 2-3 performance at bat. 

Manchester falls to 4-14 overall, 1-5 in the HCAC.  They travel to Huntington on Thursday then return home Saturday to face Mount St. Joseph.

4.9.08 - MC DROPS TWO IN DOUBLEHEADER ACTION AGAINST BLUFFTON
Manchester's softball team fell to Bluffton University in doubleheader action on Wednesday. 

In game one, MC fell 11-3 in five innings.  Erica Bush hit a three-run homer in the top of the fifth to make it a 9-3 contest, but Bluffton scored one run in the fifth for the win.  Bush ended the game 1-2 with three RBI. 

In game two, Manchester fell 2-4 as Kristi Brown was the losing pitcher.  Bluffton scored three runs in the fifth inning to take a 4-1 lead, with the Spartans scoring one run in the seventh.  Annie Hernandez and Karla Conrad were 2-4, while Lisa Heaton was 1-3.  Heaton and Hernandez recorded RBI's for MC. 

The Spartans fall to 4-12 overall, 1-3 in the HCAC.  They return to action Thursday versus Kalamazoo.

4.5.08 - SPARTANS GET FIRST CONFERENCE WIN OF YEAR IN A DOUBLEHEADER SPLIT WITH ROSE-HULMAN
Manchester's softball team went 1-1 on the afternoon Saturday hosting Rose-Hulman in the conference opener for MC. 

In game one, Manchester used eight innings to post a 3-2 win over the Engineers as Lindsay Reid knocked in the game winner in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI single.  Kristi Brown was the winning pitcher for MC and tallied four strikeouts in the game.  Jenn Haskell and Tish Bitner recorded two hits apiece in the game.

Manchester fell in game two 7-0 with Erica Bush taking the loss. Annie Hernandez went 2-3 to lead MC. 

The Spartans move to 4-10 on the year, 1-1 in the HCAC.  They return to conference action on Wednesday at Bluffton.

3.30.08 - MC FALLS IN HOME OPENER TO TRI-STATE IN DOUBLEHEADER ACTION
Manchester's softball team fell to Tri-State 9-0 in five innings and 6-1 in game two of a doubleheader on Sunday. 

Kristi Brown was the losing pitcher for MC, collecting three strikeouts on the afternoon.  In game two, Erica Bush took the loss, throwing five strikouts. Annie Hernandez and Lindsay Reid were 1-2, with Hernandez recording an RBI for the Spartans. 

Manchester falls to 3-9 on the year, and returns to action Tuesday at home as they face Kalamazoo.

3.20.08 - MANCHESTER WRAPS UP TUCSON TRIP WITH PAIR OF LOSSES
Manchester fell in both games in Thursday's final day of softball action in Tucson.  Manchester lost to Marian (Wis.) 9-3 in the opener then lost to University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point 2-1 in game two. 

Against Marian, Jenn Allen went 2-4 with a double and a run scored as Erica Bush was the losing pitcher.  Kristi Brown was the losing pitcher in the UW-Stevens Point game, where Allen recorded a double and a run scored while Aja Neumann went 2-3 with an RBI.

Manchester stands at 3-5 on the year and returns to action at Olivet on Wednesday.

3.19.08 - SPARTANS SPLIT IN ACTION WEDNESDAY
Manchester's softball team returned to action Wednesday, falling to Eastern Connecticutt State 11-2 in five innings and posting a 13-3 win over University of Mass. - Boston in six innings. 

Erica Bush was the losing pitcher against Eastern Conn. State, while Kristi Brown picked up a win over UM-Boston.  MC had just two hits on the afternoon despite scoring 13 runs off the UMB pitching staff. 

Manchester ups their record to 3-5 on year and wrap up action on Thursday against Marian and the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.

3.18.08 - MC DEFEATS NAZARETH, FALLS TO FRANKLIN PIERCE
Manchester's softball team returned to action Tuesday picking a 12-3 win over Nazareth in five innings, but fell to Franklin Pierce 8-0. 

In the Nazareth game, Kristi Brown improved to 2-1 on the year after picking up the 12-3 win in five innings. Jenn Allen went 3-3 with an RBI and a double while Kacee Robins added three RBI and Tish Bitner added two RBIs.  Tish Bitner was the losing pitcher against Franklin Pierce. 

The softball team moves to 2-4 on the year, and returns to action on Wednesday as they face Eastern Connecticutt State and University of Mass.-Boston.

3.17.08 - MANCHESTER RALLIES TO DEFEAT AUGSBURG, FALLS TO NORTH CENTRAL
Manchester's softball team returned to action on Monday with a 3-2 win over Augburg and a 9-0 loss to North Central. 

Manchester scored the game winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning as Aja Neumann drove in the run.  Lisa Heaton finished 2-3 as Kristi Brown picked up the win. 

MC fell to North Central 9-0 in five innings with Erica Bush recording the loss.  MC falls to 1-3 overall and returns to action Tuesday.

03.16.08 - MC DROPS SEASON OPENER IN TUCSON
Manchester's softball team fell to Babson 8-2 and 14-0 Buena Vista in their season opener during their annual spring break trip to Tucson, Arizona. 

Kristi Brown was the losing pitcher in the Babson game, recording four strikeouts for MC.  Tish Bitner recorded both RBIs for MC.  Erica Bush was the losing pitcher for MC against Buena Vista.  Lisa Heaton went 2-2 while Karla Conrad finished 2-3. 

Manchester falls to 0-2 on the year and returns to action Monday.

2.29.08 - JUDGE STEPS DOWN AS SOFTBALL COACH TO TAKE POSITION AT MONMOUTH
Manchester College head softball coach and associate director of athletics and senior women's administrator Martha Judge has stepped away from her many roles at Manchester College to take a position with Monmouth University.

Judge has been with the College for 16 years and has worn many hats within the athletic department including, head volleyball coach, head coach for the first season of women's soccer, head softball coach, radio commentator and tournament director for numerous NCAA Regional events hosted by Manchester College.

She leaves Manchester with the most wins of any softball coach at MC with a 226-305-1 record over 15 years. She was named the 2001 HCAC Conference Coach of the Year as her softball team won the HCAC Conference Tournament and advanced to the program's first appearance to the NCAA Championships. She has coached 31 All-Conference, nine All-Region and eight Academic All-Conference players while at Manchester. 

"This is a great opportunity for me personally and professionally," says Judge on her new appointment. "Personally, it gives me a chance to be closer to my family and professionally it allows me to get into the area of Academic Support for student athletes, an area that I am very interested in." She adds, "Manchester College has been such a big part of my life for so many years, the people here are amazing and I will miss them greatly. I would like to thank (former athletic director) Tom Jarman for having the courage to hire and mentor me as a young 24-year old administrator and coach. President Jo Switzer has been a valued colleague and I will miss playing pranks on her. Athletic Director Rick Espeset is doing a great job and the future is bright for Manchester College athletics."

Manchester College volleyball coach Kendra Marlowe will serve as the interim head coach for the softball program while a search for a replacement begins.

12.02.07-SPESHYOCK NAMED ASSISTANT COACH
Manchester College softball coach Martha Judge has appointed Stacey Speshyock as the new assistant coach for the softball program.

Speshyock played four years of softball at Division I IUPUI. During her career as a Jaguar, she became just the third player at IUPUI to be named to the NFCA Division I Second Team All-Midest Region team, and was a Mid-Continent All-Conference Second Team selection in 2004 and a First Team selection in 2005.

She served as an graduate assistant with IPFW last season, and as a certified personal trainer, has held coaching and strength and conditioning responsibilities with George Washington High School in Indianapolis.

She earned her degree in physical education with an emphasis in exercise science in May of 2006. She is currently working towards her master's degree in organizational leadership and supervision at IPFW.

Speshyock is a native of Fort Wayne, and was a graduate of Homestead High School.

10.18.07-FALL BALL AND THE 100 INNING GAME

The 2007-08 softball season kicked off with fall ball during the month of September.  This year there were 28 players on the roster throughout September.  “It was a very hardworking group and a good mix of veterans and freshmen”, commented Head Coach Martha Judge.   Each week consisted of four practices:  Monday – agilities, Tuesday – offense and defense, Wednesday – conditioning and Thursday – intra-squad scrimmage.  “Fall ball is a little more informal as we don’t have to prepare for outside competition.  It is a time to get to know one another and determine what our strengths and weaknesses are”, said Judge.  The freshmen get an idea of how hard we are going to work and the commitment it takes to compete at this level.

Fall ball culminates with The Annual 100 Inning Game.  This fund raiser has become a huge success.  The players get pledges throughout the summer which helps to offset the cost of the spring break trip to Arizona.  This year’s 12th Annual 100 Inning Game was held on Sunday, September 30 and raised over $6,000.00.  “It is a fun, easy way to raise money”.  The day starts with an intra-squad scrimmage in the morning. Approximately 65 people attended lunch where Coach Judge talked about fall ball and the upcoming season.  In the afternoon, we allow parents and siblings to participate.  No skill is required, only the ability to laugh at yourself.  There were 4 teams rotating in the afternoon.  “My definition of a successful 100 Inning game isn’t necessarily the amount of money we raise.  If no parent gets hurt, then it was a success”, says Judge.

Click here to view “action” shots from the 100 Inning Game.

Catch up on the week's action!