The Tufts softball team will lose only two players from the 2005 squad next year, and the underclassmen-heavy roster bodes well for 2006. Those two graduating players, however, have a resume that includes All-American status, two NESCAC Player of the Year awards, All- NESCAC honors, and a host of individual records.
The leadership and talent of senior co-captains Courtney Bongiolatti and Katie Smith was a driving force throughout the spring, leading the Jumbos to their 27-8 finish and season-long dominance over NESCAC opponents. The only seniors on a roster that featured six rookies, Bongiolatti and Smith anchored a formidable infield, playing shortstop and first base respectively, and an explosive lineup, batting third and fifth respectively for most of the season. The two were able to motivate and mobilize the raw talent of a strong freshman class.
"Both players left their mark in terms of how a team works," coach Cheryl Milligan said. "We were such a young team, so it was the captains' job to get the freshmen to not play like freshmen and for them to have played so well is amazing and a great testament to [the captains'] leadership. They gave the freshman all the experience and confidence they could."
Smith also commented on the youth of the team and how many players stepped up to the collegiate level of play despite inexperience.
"No matter what their role, everyone put their heart into what they wanted to do," Smith said. "Sometimes it was all freshmen on the field with Courtney and me. We had a lot of unexpected talent, even from the upperclassmen."
Bongiolatti and Smith have been driving forces on the team since they were freshmen on the 2001 NESCAC championship team and have grown into the leadership roles that they held this season.
"Talent-wise, they came in as good [as they are now], but their ability to lead the team has been learned," Milligan said. "I told them 'this is your team and the team will go as far as you take them.'"
Bongiolatti had a record-breaking season at every turn, bringing anticipation to every at-bat. Her offensive numbers were among the league's best, taking the top spot in home runs (14), RBIs (45), and slugging percentage (.869), and ranking in the top five in batting percentage (.374), hits (40), and runs scored (26). She earned first team All-American status (she is the first Tufts softball player to do so), first team New England honors, and first All-NESCAC team. Bongiolatti has preserved her season in the Tufts record books, setting a new single-season home run record with 14, besting the previous record by five. Only three NESCAC players in the history of the league have hit more home runs in a single season.
Bongiolatti credits her offensive output to her coach.
"Coach Milligan took my hitting to a whole new level," she said. "I literally doubled my home runs [from last year]."
Fellow co-captain Katie Smith has also left her mark on Jumbo softball, following a spectacular junior season with a solid senior year. Smith was consistent at the plate, with a .339 batting average, and has scored 23 runs and knocked in 20 runs on 37 hits. She hit four home runs, including a key two-run shot in Tufts' semifinal win over Trinity. She was also strong on the field at the crucial first base position, with 245 putouts and five double plays, the highest on the team. For her contributions this season, Smith was named to the second team All-NESCAC team.
Smith and Bongiolatti are friends on and off the field, which has helped them as captains and as players.
"Katie Smith is my best friend and the best player to have out on the field," Bongiolatti said. "She tells me what I need to hear and is a huge support on this team."
Their different personalities have allowed them to relate to different players on the team and to handle any issue that presented itself.
"Our personalities are really different, but I'm really happy we could become good friends through softball," Smith said. "We have a balance between us that has helped us be better captains. We weren't too nice or too mean and we kept each other going."
Despite the loss of these two players, Milligan has a lot to look forward to in the breakout season of her freshman class. The Class of 2008 includes the NESCAC Rookie of the Year Danielle Lopez and two selections to All-Conference Teams as catcher Megan Cusick got first team honors while pitcher and designated hitter Erica Bailey nabbed second-team status. With the leadership provided by Bongiolatti and Smith, this year's rookies were able to make the transition to college softball and look to anchor the program through the next three years.
Even though next year's roster holds plenty of promise, Milligan will miss the tremendous talent and leadership of her senior captains.
"I will miss them a lot - they are truly two unique individuals," Milligan said. "This might be the first time I cry at the team dinner."
