It may be snowing one day and 60 degrees the next in Athens, but that won't stop the 2005 Ohio softball season from starting. Whether the team has to bear sleet, rain or snow, it will begin play for a much-anticipated season for the coaches and players.
I can't believe it is here
utility player Jennifer Tisevich said. It is exciting but also nerve-racking to know the season is beginning. We have really been practicing hard and concentrating on doing well.
The only problem is the Bobcats haven't been able to see much of their softball field because of the weather, but that hasn't stopped them from practicing. The team, which began practicing during the second week of January, found itself working on defense on indoor recreational tennis courts and batting in the softball batting cages. The team was also able to practice on the football field at times, scrimmaging to gain experience for the real games.
We haven't seen the dirt much assistant coach Clarisa Crowell said. We have worked on basic stuff and defensively
the team has much to improve on.
Ohio lost five letterwinners from last season, but the team is returning talented and experienced players .
This year's team appears to be more relaxed and is very passionate about softball
coach Roanna Brazier said. They are gelling well as a team and look good in practice.
Returning to the Bobcat starting lineup are first baseman Robin Miller for her final season in an Ohio uniform, along with senior teammates Tisevich and outfielder Kelly Barnhart. Also entering the lineup for another season are infielder Emily Futscher, outfielder Kelly Rodriguez, utility player Debbie Szalejko and catcher Maghan Lunsford. Joining the starting lineup is freshman infielder Maureen McKelvey.
Six pitchers will be sharing time on the mound this season, including Natalie Armstrong, who went 7-6 last season and struck out 80 batters, along with Candy Warden and Katlyn Mallette.
Joining the Ohio coaching ranks this season is graduate assistant coach Crowell. Crowell joins Ohio from Virginia Tech, where she spent the last five seasons as a player and then a volunteer coach.
The Bobcats finished third last season in the Mid-American Conference East Division, behind Kent State and Miami with a 13-11 conference record. Overall, Ohio ended its 2004 season at 20-31.
The Bobcats will not begin MAC play until March with a doubleheader against Western Michigan. Ohio does play in its first home game March 9 against Greensboro.
Like every season, the team has goals, the most obvious being to make it to the MAC Tournament and win the MAC title. But this season the team has put a twist on its goals, coming up with mission statements.
We are setting goals that we are calling mission statements
infielder Shannon Weidner said. They are individual and team goals that will remind us every day of what we want to accomplish individually and as a team.
Ohio hasn't gotten off on the right foot as they would have liked. The team competed in the East Carolina Pirate Classic tournament two weekends ago and came back with a record of 1-4. The team managed to beat Fordham, 10-6.
After having two weeks off to evaluate and practice more, the team is back in action this weekend at the Louisiana State Purple and Gold Challenge in Baton Rouge, La. The team is slated to play Alabama State, Columbia and the host Tigers.
We have the best chemistry as a team I have seen since I've been here
Futscher said. We are more relaxed and mentally tough
though we are on the young side this season.
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