Look at us go!

Hello Readers,

Sorry it has been a while since I have given you the inside scoop of the life of a Centenary student athlete. The last couple of weeks have been busy with tests, tournaments, and starting conference play my teammates and I have been quite busy.

It has been a while since my last blog so let me catch you up. Starting on February 26th up until the UMKC series we played a total of 10 games. We beat Louisiana Tech, whom is our rival, by a close 1-0 ball game. We went 8-10 over the ten game stretch and only lost to Stephen F. Austin and Oklahoma State. The loss to SFA was a tough one because as a team we know we are better, we let a few things that did not go our way ruin our momentum. After a tough weekend in Stillwater, Oklahoma at the OSU tournament we returned home to take a 2-1 win over South Alabama before starting conference play against IUPUI.

We are currently 14-15 on the season, with only more wins in sight. Our team is on fire, defensively, offensively, and our pitching is phenomenal. Hitting is contagious and let’s just say we’ve all caught it. We opened conference with a bang sweeping IUPUI in our three game series taking all three with a combined score of 15-1 on the weekend. We have multiple players whose bats are so hot no one can phase them. Our pitching is smooth and consistent and all three of our pitchers can be used in a combination to throw off any ball club around.

Our team is presently in Kansas City, Missouri waiting to play our three game series with UMKC. Weather always seems to be a factor when it comes to conference play for the Ladies. Our series was moved back a day on a count of a rainy forecast. The series should resume Tuesday when we will play our double header followed by one game on Wednesday.

Well Readers that is all for now. Wish us luck!

~Shep

Neat-O Gang!

Well I am SUPER DUPER excited to inform you that we are now over 500 going into the series against Oakland. Yes, we have already started conference play and are on a crazy winning streak. Go us!
SO, since I last wrote I have been cursed with the slump of all slumps. Check out the stats and you’ll see what I am talking about. And above all, my arm has been possessed by something evil and control of a ball is apparently out of the question.
I could blame it on the bird that _ on my head after Baylor’s tournament or the black cat that continuously sits in the middle of my driveway and crosses my path every morning as I leave my house, but I won’t. Obviously, its up to me to dig myself out, obviously I just need to try harder, and obviously I need to be the best player for my team. Be better…what an epiphany!
No but seriously, I am faster than a speeding bullet on the bases lately-no one can throw me out! AND I learned how to keep ALL the books. EXCITING.
-Wish us luck! Say a prayer for me!

CONFERENCE PLAY...FINALLY!!!

TODAY KICKS OFF CONFERENCE AND BOY AM I READY!!! FOR FOUR YEARS NOW I HAVE BATTLED THROUGH BUMPS AND BRUISES AND EVEN BROKEN BONES, BUT THIS YEAR IS DIFFERENT. THIS IS THE YEAR WHERE IT’S MY TIME TO SHINE. MY TIME TO PROVE THAT THIS COLLEGE EXPERIENCE HAS MADE ME A STRONG AND CAPABLE STUDENT-ATHLETE. FOR FOUR YEARS I HAVE HAD TO FIGHT FOR MY CHANCE:
-FIGHT FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN THE SELECTED 10.
-FIGHT THROUGH BROKEN BONES.
-FIGHT THROUGH SORE ARMS TO FINALLY ACHIEVE A STARTING SPOT THAT I HAVE CRAVED SINCE MY 1ST PRACTICE ON THIS DIVISION I COLLEGE SOFTBALL DIAMOND!

TO ALL THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE AND WILL COME AFTER WE ALL KNOW IT IS A GAME. BUT NOT JUST ANY GAME, IT IS THE GAME THAT WE PUT OUR BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS INTO AND, IF CUT SHORT, ALWAYS LEAVES US WANTING MORE. IT IS THE GAME THAT DEFINES US AS PEOPLE BY NOT ONLY TEACHING US DISCIPLINE AND COMPETITION BUT ALSO HOW TO WORK AS A TEAM AND HAVE PRIDE FOR SOMETHING GREATER THAN OURSELVES.

PEOPLE SAY THAT COLLEGE IS THE BEST FOUR YEARS OF YOUR LIFE AND I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE, FOR THE MOST PART. I DO BELIEVE IT HAS A POTENTIAL FOR GREATNESS BUT ALSO IN THAT SAME LIGHT CAN BE THE SCENE FOR DISAPPOINTMENT AND SORROW. NOT BECAUSE OF THE PROCESS OR EXPERIENCE BUT BECAUSE AT THE END OF IT ALL, WE AS STUDENT ATHLETES YEARN FOR MORE. THIS IS MY YEAR TO BRING ALL MY CARDS TO THE TABLE; THIS IS MY YEAR TO SHINE; AND THIS IS MY YEAR TO LEAVE IT ALL OUT THERE ON THE FIELD, FOR BETTER OR WORSE THIS IS MY SENIOR YEAR!

R. I. P. LADIES R. I. P.

“LIVE EVERYDAY TO THE FULLEST BECAUSE YOU AREN'T GUARANTEED TOMORROW!”- Daniel Perez (RIP 08.20.07)

~WEADY

Let's Play Ball!

Welcome back softball fans! Over the last week, we have been continuing to build on our success. Coming off of several needed wins, we hosted Grambling State last week in a double header. It was only the second time we have seen our home field since the start of the season.

We extended our winning streak to six wins after taking both games from Grambling. In game one of the double header, we were able to use hot hitting and dominating pitching to win 10-0 in five innings. Sophomore Allison Shepperd led the way at the plate with a 2-for-2 effort, scoring three runs, and driving in two. Senior Amy Wiedeman also belted a three run shot over the left field fence that powered our second inning offensive explosion.

A new face was in the lineup for the first time in a month. Junior Emerald Doria was able to cleat up after suffering an injury and she proved to be a force that was missing. On her first hit of the season, she was able to jog around the bases after delivering a huge three run shot over the outfield fence. It is nice to see her back in action.

Freshman Lauren Highsmith collected her first win of the season. She was able to remain composed and pitch a shutout for us giving up just two hits, five walks, and striking out seven in just five innings.

In game two, we seemed to come out a little slower than the first game, not scoring until the fourth inning. Though in the end, we came away with a victory heading into our tournament at Oklahoma State.

Sophomore Stacy Whitmer pitched a gem striking out ten batters and allowing only three hits in seven innings of work.

We ended last Wednesday night with two big wins heading into the weekend where we faced SFA, Texas Wesleyan, and Oklahoma State.

Our sleeper bus pulled out heading to Stillwater, Oklahoma on Thursday leaving behind some beautiful weather. But not more than an hour after leaving Shreveport, we come across a wintry mix of weather. After stopping for dinner on the way, we were in for a long trip—secluded in our tiny bunk beds listening to music, working on papers, and watching movies.

We arrived in Stillwater around 1 a.m. and went straight to bed for an early wake up in below freezing temperatures. Games were scheduled at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., but were cancelled due to the frigid weather. As a team, we went to a movie and to a nice dinner to occupy our time. Saturday morning came and we played the first two games at 11 a.m. against SFA and 1 p.m. against Texas Wesleyan.

The temperatures were chilly, but playable. Against SFA, we seemed to not have what it took to beat a much-improved Lady Jack team. We came out a little complacent and not with the drive and power knowing we were riding a six game win streak at that time. The score didn’t represent who we are losing 8-0. Our lack of clutch hitting accounted for eight base runners left on base. Emerald was able to continue her hot hitting with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate, but in the end we couldn’t find a way to score a run.

In the second game against Texas Wesleyan, we were able to come out and regain a sense of who we are at the plate and on the field. We connected on 11 hits as a team and fought to put up 11 runs.

After day one, we were treated to dinner at Eskimo Joes, Stillwater’s famous restaurant. On Sunday, the final day of the tournament, we faced host Oklahoma State for the third time this season. After two disturbing opening season losses to the Cowgirls, we felt a need for revenge. In the end, the scoreboard left the Cowgirls on top 5-1, but we played well in all aspects of the game.

We scored first in the second inning after sophomore Haley Bassett led off with a single and was moved to third on two consecutive grounders. Amy then delivered a sharp hit ball down right the field line scoring Haley to put us ahead.

Oklahoma State was able to take a few key plays and delivered a few runs off of sophomore starter Ryan Thacker. She held the Cowgirls until about the fifth inning when they had a few lucky breaks and scored two runs.

In the final game of the tournament for a third place finish, we faced Texas Wesleyan once again. This time, we weren’t shy to put a few runs on the board early as we plated seven runs in the first inning off of key hits and sacrifice groundouts and fly balls.

Stacy took control on the mound not allowing a run until the fifth inning. Because of our long trip home to Shreveport and this game not beginning until 4 p.m., we were determined to find a way to end it early and that we did. With two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, junior Leslie Postles singled and was driven in off a triple by senior Jennifer Martin. JMar scored off of a game ending single up the middle off the bat of freshman Caitlin Cavarra.

Overall, this weekend ended on a better note than it started. We survived the long trek home and rolled into Shreveport at around 2 a.m. to find ourselves in classes bright and early that morning.

We host South Alabama at home on Wednesday before entering Summit League play this weekend at home as well. IUPUI comes to our home field for the opening of the most anticipated part of our season. Play will begin on Friday with a double-header beginning at 4 p.m. and a single game on Saturday at 12 p.m.

Come out and cheer us on to victory! See you next week!

“I come to play everyday.” –David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox

For the love of the game,

-Allison McClain