The school record for runs scored in a game was set by the 2009 Marshalltown Community College softball team.
The Tigers exploded on one Saturday in April for 26 runs against Brown Mackie and that came after suffering an 18-17 defeat earlier in the day.
Outside of the 43-run day, MCC found run production a difficult endeavor in the strong Iowa Community College Athletic Conference.
Article Photos
T-R PHOTO BY MARK PAWLAK
Marshalltown Community College sophomore shortstop Erin Davitt returns to the diamond this spring after leading the team in batting average and RBIs last year. The Tigers open the season Saturday in Kansas against Coffeyville.
With the top hitters from a year ago back and a strong group of freshmen adding some offensive pop, the Tigers are planning on lighting up the scoreboard more often this year.
Marshalltown starts the 2010 season Saturday at Coffeyville (Kan.).
The Tigers were 15-34 on the diamond last spring. Marshalltown scored two runs or less 29 times, losing 28 of those contests.
Fact Box
2010 Marshalltown Community College Softball Schedule
(Home games in CAPS)
Feb. 27at Coffeyville (Kan.), 3 p.m.
Feb. 28at Labette (Kan.), Noon
March 5at St. Louis-Meramec, 3 p.m.
March 6at St. Louis-Forest Park, 1 p.m.
March 8at Northwest-Shoals (Ala.), 3 p.m.
March 9at Jefferson Davis (Ala.), 1 p.m.
March 10-14at UWF Spring Fling
March 16at Indian Hills, 3 p.m.
March 23SOUTHEASTERN, 3 p.m.
March 25IOWA LAKES, 3 p.m.
March 27ELLSWORTH, 3 p.m.
March 28NIACC, 3 p.m.
March 29at Muscatine, 4:30 p.m.
March 30at Kirkwood, 3 p.m.
April 1IOWA CENTRAL, 3 p.m.
April 5at Southeastern, 3 p.m.
April 7at Southwestern, 3 p.m.
April 10at Iowa Central, 3 p.m.
April 11at Iowa Lakes, 3 p.m.
April 12IOWA WESTERN, 3 p.m.
April 13MUSCATINE, 3 p.m.
April 15KIRKWOOD, 3 p.m.
April 17at NIACC, 3 p.m.
April 18at Ellsworth, 3 p.m.
April 21SOUTHWESTERN, 3 p.m.
April 27at Iowa Western, 3 p.m.
"We've built ourselves around our hitting," said MCC head coach Jeff Lamb. "Our pitching is there, but we're going to rely heavily on how many runs we score and how well we play defense. I believe we're going to put a lot of pressure on defenses."
"We'll be doing a little home-run style ball, waiting around to see if somebody can put it out of the park," Lamb added, "and I think we're such a well-rounded team that we also can sit back and wait for a base hit and anybody one though nine can put it in there for us."
Either Erin Davitt or Jenna Baker led the team in nearly every offensive category last year as freshmen.
Davitt, a shortstop from St. Marys, hit .390, with 55 hits, 17 doubles, 30 RBIs, 19 walks, a .582 slugging percentage and .467 on-base percentage.
Baker, a center fielder from Des Moines, had a team-high seven home runs and 18 stolen bases to go with 23 RBIs, 10 doubles and 48 hits.
"Baker brings both power and speed to the table," Lamb said. "She's going to be a threat depending on where we hit her, she could leadoff, she could hit 3, she could hit 5, I would like to see her in a little bit more of a RBI role, but she's an awesome leadoff just because mentally she is very good at running the bases."
Cayla Collins, a first team all-stater last summer at Pella Christian, will bat in the No. 4 hole and play third base.
"Collins probably has the strongest arm on our team or close to it," Lamb said. "She had 10 home runs her junior year in high school and nine home runs her senior year. She's going to bring power to the lineup and will be driving in a lot of runs."
Sophomore Whitney Ehler and freshman Megan Gott (second team all-state last year at Oskaloosa High School) are the Tigers' first basemen. Kayla Blocker and Sami Stogdill will be in the lineup in the middle infield.
The outfield is all seniors with Jessica Meyer, Ellen Walter and Baker. Meyer from Marshalltown was second on the team last year with a .306 batting average and returns to the No. 2 spot in the lineup.
"She had a breakout year last year," Lamb said. "She's a great bunter, handles the bat well and puts the ball where she needs to."
Katie Clement from West Marshall returns behind the plate after driving in 20 runs a year ago. Davitt and freshman Kylie Ginapp also will see time at catcher.
"With what we have catching, as far as the running game goes, I think we've got a good chance to shut it down," Lamb said.
Sophomore Ashley Allen is the Tigers' top pitcher.
"I think we've really got good depth. Ashley's going to go when she can, she's going to throw against the teams we need to beat," Lamb said. "She's the sophomore leader on the squad. She led the team in innings last year and there's no doubt she'll do that this year."
Behind Allen and fellow sophomore Danielle Fitzgerald, Marshalltown has freshmen Stefanie Brown, Jessica McGuire and Rachel Robinson.
"Those three are along to where I feel we can throw anybody on any given day and we'll be just fine," Lamb said. "All three are different types of pitchers, one is a movement pitcher, one a spot pitcher and one a velocity pitcher."
Iowa Community College Athletic Conference members Iowa Central and Kirkwood are both in the NJCAA Division II national preseason rankings.
"I don't know of any conference that's tougher," Lamb said.
The home, as well as conference, opener for the Tigers is March 23 against Southeastern.