With the clock ticking on their careers, senior role players Melissa Kelly and Katie Kaempfer are not the least bit worried. They’re not complaining about a lack of playing time. They’re not even wallowing in their early-career success. Kelly and Kaempfer are doing what any good seniors should do – setting an example and enjoying every minute of it.

Kelly starts at first base when Courtney Mosch pitches, and usually has her spot in the batting order taken by a designated hitter. Kaempfer, one of two senior catchers, assumes her spot behind home plate when Mosch is on the mound. Both of them were sufficient contributors earlier in their careers – both of them swallowed their pride this season for the 26-15 Orange.

SU will have a chance to tab two more wins to that total in a doubleheader at Canisius on Tuesday at 3 p.m. – a non-league game sandwiched in the heart of the Big East schedule.

‘I tell them all the time – unless they tell me out which is a possibility – that all these games are so important to set up the postseason,’ said head coach Mary Jo Firnbach. ‘If they want (postseason) opportunities, then we have to play a tough schedule and we have to have a winning record. No games can slip by you.’

Despite the coach’s claim, games of this nature often have the makings of a ‘let-down game.’ The Orange is coming off four games in three days, the last two a domination of Rutgers by a combined score of 26-5. Clearly, its confidence is high. With road dates against Pittsburgh and Big East-power Notre Dame looming this weekend, the Orange must not overlook the Griffins.

That’s where the seniors come in.

Kelly and Kaempfer are both trying to keep the Orange looking ahead. With a lot of softball left to be played, Syracuse can still strengthen – or weaken – its postseason hopes.

‘I tell them to just try to stay focused and know that every game is important,’ Kelly said. ‘You play against yourselves, really. It doesn’t matter who you play against.’

Kelly arrived at Syracuse last season as a junior college transfer. She started 52 of 53 games at first base, where she was second on the team with a .984 fielding percentage. Offensively, she was sixth on the team in hits. Her strength is not her offense, though, and in order to keep Mosch’s bat in the lineup when freshman Erin Downey pitches, Kelly either sits or gets batted for.

‘I don’t mind being a role player,’ Kelly said. ‘I understand the role that I have and we need (Mosch to hit). But I love going out on defense. The infield also likes having me. (Shortstop Alexis Switenko) always gives me smiles when I’m out there.’

This season, Kelly has started 27 games and has a .990 fielding percentage. Her senior teammate, Kaempfer, has started 19 games – each game Mosch starts on the mound. When Downey pitches, fellow senior catcher Jamie Grillo starts. The two are both seasoned and talented. Kaempfer was named to the Big East All-Rookie team her freshman season and ranks eighth on Syracuse’s all-time hit list. She is also fifth in doubles.

Much of that success came when Grillo was sidelined due to an injury earlier in her career. Now that both are healthy, it makes the Orange stronger and keeps Kaempfer fresh. Firnbach said Grillo is better for Downey’s riseball, and Kaempfer’s enthusiasm and positive energy aids Mosch.

‘I was fortunate that I got to catch the first two years,’ Kaempfer. ‘But it’s better for the team that there are two healthy catchers who can do well.’

Published on April 24, 2005 at 12:00 pm