Former Pioneer softball stars trying to right the ship at Syracuse
Despite team's struggles, hometown bond unites Roehner and Miller
By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

Photo courtesy of Syracuse Athletics SWEET SWING- Syracuse senior Chanel Roehner, a graduate of Simi Valley High, makes solid contact during an early-season game. Roehner plays center field and pitches for the Orange.

Two years removed from the best season in school history, the Syracuse University softball team has struggled to an 0-8 start this season.

Chanel Roehner and Nicole Miller, teammates for six seasons, including three at Simi Valley High, are trying to get the Orange back on track.

Certainly, Roehner and Miller are doing their part.

One of only two seniors, Roehner pitches and starts in center field. Miller, a junior, leads the team with a .267 batting average.

"I can't pinpoint what it is," said Roehner, 21, on the team's early-season tribulations.

"We've done all the same hitting strategies. I definitely think we'll start hitting the more pitchers we face."

The Orange went 36-21 in 2006, setting a school record for wins. Syracuse will try to end the worst start in school history when it plays North Carolina State and UC Santa Barbara today in the NFCA Leadoff tournament in Columbus, Ga.

Photo courtesy of Syracuse Athletics TAKING A LEAD- Nicole Miller, a junior first baseman for the Syracuse Orange, grew up with her grandparents in Simi Valley.

Miller, 20, said the Orange needs to start hitting with runners in scoring position and minimizing errors. The squad has 21 miscues through eight games.

"I think people are hitting well at certain times," Miller said. "We're not hitting well at the same time and stringing hits together."

This season, Roehner is tied for the team lead with five hits but is only batting .217, which is tied for third best on the Orange. In four pitching appearances, the former Pioneer has a team-low 2.57 ERA.

Miller is the regular starter at first base and has four hits and two RBI.

Roehner had an outstanding junior campaign for the Orange, batting .336 with 50 hits, 27 runs, 12 doubles, six home runs, 29 RBI. She also pitched for the first time since her days at Simi Valley.

"It does get tiresome sometimes, but I'm more than happy to do it," Roehner said. "It's fun. I get a chance to control a game and then get a chance to sit back- not relax- in the outfield, but take the fielder's standpoint. . . . It's my last year so I have no problem with it."

Even though her shoulder gets tired from pitching underhand and throwing overhand in the field, Roehner worked hard at readjusting in the winter offseason.

Whenever she was back home in Simi Valley, Roehner trained with personal pitching coach Kathy Ayala, who has worked with her since she was 8.

Miller, who like Roehner has started all but two games in her collegiate career, hit at a .232 clip last year while patrolling shortstop. As a freshman, she played shortstop and second base.

Miller, who lived with her grandparents in Simi Valley, was reluctant to attend school on the East Coast. Her grandparents had watched every one of her high school games.

Miller's decision came down to Syracuse and Fresno State.

"I decided Syracuse was such a great opportunity to live on the East Coast for four years," Miller said.

Having Roehner on campus also helped Miller.

"I saw Chanel on my recruiting trip," Miller said. "I definitely think it had a big influence with me.

"It's great having her when we're homesick. We can talk about experiences back home, and we always have somebody to fall back on. We tell stories from home and what we miss about Simi Valley."

Roehner also likes being close to a friend from home.

"When her family comes into town, I consider them my family," Roehner said. "When my parents come into town, I hope she thinks the same. . . .

"We've definitely been lucky to have each other. We've stuck it out through good times and the bad, and it makes our friendship even stronger."