2008 Woodie Awards
Softball looks to surprise
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: Sports
Head Softball Coach Christy Capner is optimistic about the upcoming Lady Bearcat softball season. So optimistic in fact, that she guards against setting this season's goals too low.
"Our goal is not to make the MIAA tournament at the end of the season," said Capner. "We expect to play in the tournament. It will be a disappointment if we do not qualify."
Capner knows what it will take for her team to make it to the MIAA tournament. She was a player on the last Southwest Baptist softball team that qualified in 2002, and she believes she has the elements in place for the 2008 Lady Bearcats for a post-season experience.
"A big key to setting higher goals this year is that we have players who are taking ownership of our program," said Capner. "We are more prepared, more focused, and we are getting better every day. Also, the addition of key impact players has raised our overall talent. We should be a lot stronger on the mound this year with the inclusion of [freshman] Brittney Wood, [freshman] Josie Rose, and [freshman] Christy Degano to our pitching staff. Last year we asked our best athletes to pitch for us, and they did a good job, but this year, we brought in pitchers, not just good athletes. We believe we've addressed our number one concern."
The Lady Bearcats will return an All-MIAA honorable mention player in sophomore McKenzie Mortimer. Mortimer, from Pleasant Hope, led the 2007 Lady Bearcats in batting average (.318), runs (15), triples (two), home runs (five), total bases (51), slugging percentage (.600) and on base percentage (.341).
"We look for more great things from Mac this season," said Capner. "The deceiving area is her RBIs last year. This year, we're in a position to have more runners in scoring position when shes at the plate. I expect her RBIs will be higher this year. She has quick hands so she can hit the long ball or drop a bunt down. Overall, we're a much better hitting club than last year. We've added some new players [freshman] Krysta Baderdeen, [junior] Taressa Gomez, [freshman] Sarah Brison, [junior] Erica Schabbing and [freshman] Lauren Austin who will make an immediate impact in the lineup, and we also have seen some big strides from some key returners [Mortimer, [sophomore] Alisa Klingenberg, [junior] Ashley Loftis and [senior] Amy Marshall]. Amy Marshall has really improved both as a hitter and by taking control and leadership of the infield. She helps to keep everyone on their toes and brings plenty of experience to our infield."
"Our goal is not to make the MIAA tournament at the end of the season," said Capner. "We expect to play in the tournament. It will be a disappointment if we do not qualify."
Capner knows what it will take for her team to make it to the MIAA tournament. She was a player on the last Southwest Baptist softball team that qualified in 2002, and she believes she has the elements in place for the 2008 Lady Bearcats for a post-season experience.
"A big key to setting higher goals this year is that we have players who are taking ownership of our program," said Capner. "We are more prepared, more focused, and we are getting better every day. Also, the addition of key impact players has raised our overall talent. We should be a lot stronger on the mound this year with the inclusion of [freshman] Brittney Wood, [freshman] Josie Rose, and [freshman] Christy Degano to our pitching staff. Last year we asked our best athletes to pitch for us, and they did a good job, but this year, we brought in pitchers, not just good athletes. We believe we've addressed our number one concern."
The Lady Bearcats will return an All-MIAA honorable mention player in sophomore McKenzie Mortimer. Mortimer, from Pleasant Hope, led the 2007 Lady Bearcats in batting average (.318), runs (15), triples (two), home runs (five), total bases (51), slugging percentage (.600) and on base percentage (.341).
"We look for more great things from Mac this season," said Capner. "The deceiving area is her RBIs last year. This year, we're in a position to have more runners in scoring position when shes at the plate. I expect her RBIs will be higher this year. She has quick hands so she can hit the long ball or drop a bunt down. Overall, we're a much better hitting club than last year. We've added some new players [freshman] Krysta Baderdeen, [junior] Taressa Gomez, [freshman] Sarah Brison, [junior] Erica Schabbing and [freshman] Lauren Austin who will make an immediate impact in the lineup, and we also have seen some big strides from some key returners [Mortimer, [sophomore] Alisa Klingenberg, [junior] Ashley Loftis and [senior] Amy Marshall]. Amy Marshall has really improved both as a hitter and by taking control and leadership of the infield. She helps to keep everyone on their toes and brings plenty of experience to our infield."
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