No freshman in Syracuse history has hit more home runs than Julie Wambold did last season.

On her way to winning the ‘Cuse Awards Female Rookie of the Year, Wambold led the team in home runs (11) and RBIs (34).

Thrust into the meat of Leigh Ross’ lineup from the start of the season, Wambold’s bat was not just powerful, but clutch. In just her seventh collegiate game, Wambold hit a walk-off home run that led Syracuse to a 5-3 win over UC Davis at the Cathedral Classic. Then, when the team was near elimination in the NCAA Regionals, her RBI single was critical in a 2-1 win over Long Beach State.

But 2012 is in Wambold’s past, and success isn’t coming as easily in her sophomore season. After setting a high bar for herself in her freshman year, she is hitting in the middle of Syracuse’s (9-14) lineup and is seeing harder pitching as a result. Struggling at the plate at times, Wambold is leaning on raw determination and the support of her teammates to recapture her form from a year ago.

“She’s playing really well, but I can imagine that she is feeling pressure to play like she did last season,” junior first baseman Jasmine Watson said. “I had a big sophomore slump and know how that pressure feels, and you just have to keep working hard and swing your way out of it.”

Watson’s overall numbers were similar from her freshman to sophomore seasons, but her batting average dropped considerably. But by continuing to adjust, Watson was able to find her power stroke, which was instrumental in the Orange’s NCAA tournament run.

Wambold is currently hitting .238 with two home runs and seven RBIs. If she can turn it around like Watson did in her sophomore season, the Orange could find its stride just in time for Big East play, which begins at Louisville on March 29.

“Of course there is pressure to produce, coming off of a good season and hitting in the four or five spot, but I’m not letting it affect my play,” Wambold said. “I have always worked off the energy of my teammates and am going to do that again this season.”

Ross doesn’t just recognize Wambold’s ability at the plate, but also her invaluable versatility in the field. Last season, Wambold played significant innings in the outfield. This year, after the team’s Spring Break trip to Hawaii, she seems to be settling into a spot at second base, but her flexibility remains an asset.

“Julie is a pure hitter, we saw that last year and we are seeing it again this year,” Ross said. “But we can also play her anywhere, which makes her that much more special.

“As for the pressure she’s facing, hitting is never easy, she’s doing all we can ask for her and she’ll figure out a way to get on the track that she wants to be on.”

With Wambold playing second base in recent games, senior shortstop Morgan Nandin is enjoying the sophomore’s company in the middle of the infield. Nandin has a front-row seat to Wambold’s uncanny talent and relentless determination.

There is no one more confident in Wambold’s abilities than Nandin, who is sure her teammate will flourish this season.

“If anyone can really get going on this team, it’s Julie,” Nandin said. “She is an incredible athlete who can hit the ball way over the fence and play just about any position. It’s crazy. I mean if you gave her a basketball, she’d probably go and dunk it.”

Published on March 19, 2013 at 12:33 am

Contact Jesse: jcdoug01@syr.edu | @dougherty_jesse