Pitching UNLV’s strength

Wednesday, Feb. 12, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Shan McDonald opens her 11th season as UNLV's head softball coach Thursday with a unusual predicament, but she certainly is not complaining.

While McDonald has had some outstanding pitchers ov er the years -- sometimes even two on the same staff -- she has the luxury of three frontline pitchers in her starting rotation this season.

"We have a pitching staff that has more depth than we've ever had," McDonald said of senior Teresa Branch, junior Brandi Isgar and sophomore Tanya Edwards. "We've had some great pitchers ... but we've never had three pitchers of this caliber."

Isgar transferred to UNLV from Cal State Fullerton, where she was 36-18 with a 1.65 ERA in two seasons, and joins returning starters Branch (22-14, 2.13 in 1996) and Edwards (14-9, 3.03) in the circle. Keeping three quality starters happy will be McDonald's main focus this season.

"The concern is that (they) don't get enough game time," McDonald said. "We're going to have to make sure our training program is tough enough to keep them in shape."

McDonald also has the option of playing Branch and Isgar at third base when they're not pitching.

"The advantage is that two of the them are playing another position and Brandi also will hit when she's not (pitching)," McDonald said. "Their versatility will help them feel active."

The Rebels, who open their season at the Arizona State Coke Classic in Phoenix, will be tested right away. After opening Thursday with games against Texas and Utah State, UNLV will meet No. 25 Arizona State on Friday, Arizona Saturday and top-ranked UC Santa Barbara on Sunday.

Among the key players joining Branch and Edwards in returning from last year's 36-23 NCAA Tournament squad are senior shortstop Kim Rondina, junior catcher Julie Crandall and senior catcher/designated player Heather Siegel. Rondina led the Rebels last season with a .432 average and 10 home runs, Crandall hit .311 with 23 RBIs and Siegel hit .299 with a team-leading 37 RBIs.

"Teresa, Crandall, Siegel and Kim, those are some quality players and their leadership is going to be key," McDonald said. "We really think that those kids can do the job and the young ones have enough talent just stepping on the field and feeling like they're ready to be there."

Rounding out the returning players are sophomore outfielder Amy Alves, sophomore second baseman Andrea Long and sophomore first baseman Audrey Munoz.

Despite fielding a team that features five starting freshmen, McDonald said her expectations are high.

"We should be pretty well rounded again, defensively and offensively, and I think the potential for this team is limitless."