 Kristy Gordon/Collegian photographer
Kristin McCart, senior infielder, waits for a perfect pitch during the first game of the double header yesterday. She got a single base hit while at bat. [Click to enlarge]
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Just about all of us enjoyed Spring Break by relaxing. Some looked for fun in the sun while others searched the shade, but most everyone forgot about the rigors and trials that school brings.
For the Southwestern College softball team, that break was delayed until the middle of Spring Break. The team stayed in Winfield to practice and prepare for a game that never happened. Their home game scheduled against Dana College was rained out March 15.
Amber Good, head softball coach, said, "Spring Break is a good time for us to be able to get in some games without missing class. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate and we ended up getting rained out."
The players realize that Spring Break gets cut short for a good reason.
Talia Clark, freshman infielder, said, "I don't think anyone was too bummed about staying a few extra days at the school because we were able to occupy our time by hanging out as a team and doing fun activities Coach Good planned for us."
Obviously the team couldn't practice all day every day, so those activities were a welcome addition to the boredom that waited on a ghost campus.
"During spring break we did a scavenger hunt around Winfield and had to take picture of the tasks that were asked of us. It was a great activity to get to know some of your teammates better and really bond a personal level," said Clark.
The team already has half as many wins as last season. They were 3-8 entering yesterday's double header against Kansas Wesleyan. Scores were not available at press time. Coach Good said, "We have improved with every game this season. We are on a positive upward path, if we continue to do the little things correctly the wins will come."
A boost along that path awaited the softball lineup following women's basketball season. Sophomore Melissa Borthwick and senior Kinsey Colclasure joined the team.
Borthwick, who plays second and third base, said, " It's always kind of strange going from basketball to softball because they're such different sports, you have to think differently and react differently, but that also makes it a little easier to not get tired or burnt out. Having two different sets of teammates also aides in the transition because during basketball I don't get to see the softball girls as much so it's nice to hang out with them again once b-ball is over.
"I have been hitting in the cages some and I don't feel behind on that at all, my fielding was a little more rusty but after taking a few extra grounders after practice I'm feeling more confident."
The team is certainly getting to full strength at the right time. Following Thursday's double header against Haskell Indian Nation, seven of the next nine double headers are against Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference opponents.
The team feels that they are ready for those league foes.
Good said, "It's no surprise to be winning some games. That is what I fully expect from this team. We are just getting started and have a lot of great things ahead of us down the road. We can be very competitive in this conference."
Anthony Cook is a junior majoring in communication. You may e-mail him at anthony.cook@sckans.edu.
2008 Woodie Awards
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