Lake Forest College Sports Information
Contact: Mike Wajerski, SID

2004 Preview: New Coach...Same Goals
  

 Could there be a MWC three-peat in 2004?
LAKE FOREST, IL - While the person standing in the third base coach's box is different, the goal of the 2004 Foresters is unchanged - to capture another Midwest Conference Championship and advance well into the NCAA Tournament. "I'm very excited to be here," begins new head coach Tina Johnson. "I have an opportunity to lead a talented group of players and a winning program to an even higher level and, as far as I'm concerned, the 2004 season cannot begin soon enough."

The most notable and decorated player now under Johnson's direction is junior second baseman Alissa Mildebrath, who has already earned All-MWC and All-Great Lakes Region honors twice and was a first team All-American in 2003. Mildebrath led last year's squad with a .404 batting average, a .472 on-base percentage, 28 runs scored, three triples, 65 total bases, 24 runs batted in, and 15 walks. She also tied for the team lead in base hits (44), home runs (3), and stolen bases (4).

Junior shortstop Tina Koludrovic has hit .385 in her first two years and was voted the team's Most Valuable Player following the 2003 season. She tied Mildebrath for the team lead in hits and was second in runs (26) and doubles (9). Koludrovic was also the best fielding shortstop in the conference and led Lake Forest to a national ranking with a .961 team fielding percentage.

While Mildebrath and Koludrovic paced the offense, seniors Leigh Anne Furgerson and Nancy Findeisen led a dominating pitching staff that shut out 11 of its opponents. Furgerson, who was 12-4 with a 1.16 ERA, earned all-conference and all-region honors. Findeisen posted a 1.65 ERA and led the team with four shutouts. In their three years at Lake Forest, the duo has combined for a 66-34 record, a 1.34 earned run average, 23 shutouts, 72 complete games, and 436 strikeouts.

With a wealth of talent at her disposal, Johnson knows that the Foresters could experience a lot of success in the near future. "We already have a great nucleus of talent," she comments. "With a few key additions and a lot of hard work, there's no reason we can't achieve and even exceed the goals we've set."