D6
Thursday, November 18, 2010 Thursday, march 15, 2012
The Heights
A new energy on the field Under a new head coach, Delagrammaticas, Lynette-Krech, and Wilkins are leading by example Heights Editor
In the heart of every Superfan, there’s a love for comebacks. Hustle, energy, and cohesion can bring a team from past disappointment in a losing season to the thrill of contention. So far this spring, the Boston College women’s softball team has embodied such resilient redemption on the diamond.
alex trautwig / heights senior staff
Coming off of a 2011 campaign in which they finished with a dismal 15-31 record, the Eagles have stormed out of the gate with a vengeance this season, winning 16 of their first 22 games. An effective mix of veterans and newcomers has asserted BC as a legitimate ACC powerhouse, leaving head coach Ashley Obrest impressed with her squad’s earlyseason results. “I think everyone’s playing with a lot of confidence right now,” Obrest said. “We’re kind of giving everyone a shot … some players have surprised us and stepped in some big roles, so we’re kind of just going with it. We want to give the kids a shot, so if they’re performing well they’re going to stay in the lineup.” This performance-driven philosophy has led to widespread contributions from a versatile BC roster. Obrest acknowledged, however, that her team’s consistent play owes much to the efforts and leadership provided by its three veteran captains: Brittany Wilkins, Ali Lynette-Krech, and Rene Delagrammaticas. “I think they’ve done a fantastic job so far,” Obrest said. “They’ve really set the bar high, and everyone’s buying into that.” As the seasoned leaders of the BC squad, seniors Wilkins and Lynette-Krech and graduate student Delagrammaticas have all experienced the highs and
lows of the softball program during their careers. With changes that include a new coaching staff helmed by Obrest, all three also understand how vital the team’s quick start is in terms of propelling the Eagles to a winning season and revitalizing the team’s culture. “The most important thing about the quick start is that it really puts a lot of positive energy behind the team with the brand-new coaching staff,” LynetteKrech commented. “We needed a good start to really drive into the season.” Lynette-Krech, who has catalyzed the Eagles’ lineup with a batting average well over .400, is joined by her two co-captains in crediting the BC squad’s turnaround to conscientious preparation and cohesiveness facilitated by the coaches. “I think a lot of that starts with our coaching staff pushing us day in and day out to be the best that we can be and helping us believe that we can get to where we want to be, which is ultimately an NCAA birth,” Wilkins said, speaking on the newfound confidence and energetic attitude fueling the Eagles’ winning identity. Ironically, this new and improved mentality that seems to have sparked the team’s resurgence comes from Obrest, an individual quite familiar to the BC community. Prior to graduating from BC in 2007, Obrest starred as a catcher on the same team she now coaches, setting the BC softball record for most career runs batted in and becoming the first Eagles softball player to be recognized as an ACC Player of the Week. Now in her first full season as the Eagles’ head coach, it’s only natural that the former on-field standout has brought her past experiences at her alma mater both to the dugout and an understanding relationship with her players. “I feel like I can still kind of relate to these kids,” Obrest said of her strong connection to BC. “I can just relate to what they’re going through. I’m still familiar with a lot of things, so I can have conversations with some of the same professors that are still here and recommend classes to [the players]. It’s a good fit.” In turn, having a coach who has taken the proverbial walk in her players’ shoes and can bring firsthand insight to every step of a season-long journey has positively impacted the current BC softball squad as a whole. “[Coach Obrest] knows what to expect from us, she knows what we’re capable of, and she expects a lot from us,” Lynette-Krech said. “She doesn’t let us slack because she knows exactly how much it takes, and she knows that
we have what it takes.” Though it’s a tremendous asset to have a head coach in touch with the rigors and pressures of a collegiate softball season as experienced by the players, a team’s success ultimately comes down to leadership on the field. Leading an Eagles team that features a combined 12 freshmen and sophomores—over half of the entire roster—presents a multitude of challenges to the three captains. It’s clear, though, that they are continuously embracing the opportunity to ensure that the squad remains a cohesive unit through a multitude of ups and downs. “I think when you’re on the field, you don’t necessarily know what somebody’s class is,” a power-hitting Wilkins explained of the chemistry that’s helped the Eagles to keep adding tallies to the win column. “That’s part of our team camaraderie that we have—you don’t really know the difference.” Delagrammaticas, who not only contributes in the lineup and on the infield but also serves as a reliable mentor to younger players, stressed that teamwork stems from unwavering leadership: “Since we’ve been through the four years of college—I mean, I’ve graduated already—it’s easy to kind of help people who are younger to follow footsteps of the way that we went,” Delagrammaticas said. “We lead them in the direction to be successful later in life.” As much as victories mean to Obrest, the effort her three captains have made to guide the team’s newcomers and create a positive environment extends far beyond wins and losses. “[The freshmen] kind of just look to the captains,” Obrest said. “If something goes wrong, they kind of look to those three. [The captains] correct things and calm them down, and then move on from there. They’ve done an unbelievable job. I couldn’t have asked for three better captains than those guys.” With all of the responsibilities that the captains and their teammates have on the ball field, it can be easy to forget that these Eagles also lead active lives in the classroom, on campus, and within the community. “The volunteer aspect through being a studentathlete … that’s something that BC athletics prides ourselves on,” Wilkins said. “How much community service we do is something I’d definitely say I pride myself on because we have done so much community service, whether it’s initiating something at an old folks’ home or going out and doing Relay for Life as a team. ff ta I feel like softball’s played a rs g/
i tw
avoiding the sophomore slump
io
en
ss
t igh
he
u ra
xt
e al
Heights Staff
The sophomore slump is a mysterious force that’s among the most feared in sports. There’s a plethora of theories attempting to explain its causes, but perhaps its biggest effect is mental. Players who succeed immediately in a high-level league can become easily convinced that the success will continue, that their previous levels of work will be sufficient to keep them at the top for the length of their career. Boston College softball outfielder Tory Speer is many things, but she is clearly not one of those players. “Tory’s one of the hardest workers on the team” commented head coach Ashley Obrest. “She’s got an unbelievable swing and her work ethic is one of the best on the team. She’s a mentally sound player so it’s pretty easy to help her improve.” To many, a strong work ethic for Speer wouldn’t appear as necessary at this point in her career. After all, she started every game in her freshman campaign, picked up an ACC Freshman of the Year award, and racked up the fourth most home runs and fifth most RBI in a season in BC history. As all athletes know, though, success doesn’t translate from year to year just that easily. Opponents adjust, conditions change, and what once came easily becomes a steep uphill climb. Speer will admit she’s struggling right now, but refuses to back down from the greater challenges ahead. So far, the sophomore has run into some difficulties. Her .258 average is dozens of points below where she’d like it. She’s lagging behind her previous standards for hits (with 16), home runs (2), and RBI (11). She’s struggling, even as the BC team is cruising with a 16-6 record heading into conference play. But Speer is also willing to admit it, and more importantly, to keep fighting. “I know I can do better,” she said. “But last year I hit my stride during ACCs, and I’m hoping I can do the same this season. It’s more competitive and they know me as a player, so I’m ready to play off of that and come out and take it to them.” It’s that thirst for competition that put Speer on a path to collegiate softball. As a kid, she played every possible sport, excelling at soccer and softball. When time came to choose one, she went with what came naturally and played for four years on the Mission
Viejo, Calif. varsity squad. She saw her gift for softball as a means, rather than an end, and looked high and low for a program that could match success on the field with academic prowess. “I wanted to get the best education I could out of softball. I wanted a school that would allow me to graduate with a degree that I was proud of, and because there were no West Coast schools that really fit that bill, I came out east to look,” Speer said. “I found BC and immediately fell in love with the school—I just felt there was a special opportunity waiting for me here.” She took full advantage of that opportunity, starting in the outfield from the get-go. While she pressed early, conversations with older players helped her to stop pressing and just play the game as she had for almost her entire life. She caught fire during ACCs, turning in performances like her 5-for-7 day at the plate, with six RBI in a doubleheader against Virginia Tech. After leading the team in batting average, hits, and RBI, she worked out all summer back home in Trabuco Canyon, and then at BC during fall ball. While she constantly wanted to improve her hitting, the real concern for the coaching staff was her mediocre defense. “She’ll be the first one to admit that fielding is one of her biggest weaknesses,” Obrest said. “I told her that her defense has to change, otherwise there’s a better outfielder that would take her spot.” But Speer made “numerous improvements” to her fielding, according to Obrest, resulting in an improved performance this season that has led to only one error so far. Her drive for improvement is evident. What’s potentially even more vital, and rare for such a young player, is the presence she has established for herself with the team. “She’s very mature, and when she speaks up she grabs the attention of everyone around her. People listen to her and respect her opinion, which says a lot about the kind of person she is,” Obrest said. They listen because they see what kind of person she is, and what kind of player she is. She doesn’t back down from adversity, and puts in the work required for excellence at such a high level of the sport. With that kind of attitude, it’s only a matter of time before Speer pushes on to even bigger and better things. n
N
e D’argen l o ic
pan aria dol
What is your favorite pro sports team?
New England Patriots
The red Sox
Who is your biggest role model?
Diana Taurasi
my dad
If I didn’t play on the softball team, I’d be…
working on my golf game
I would play basketball
What's your pregame routine?
I need my eye black on before we start warming up
I spend some time tying my cleats a certain way
What was your proudest moment as a player?
Sweeping UVA at Virginia my sophomore year.
my first grand slam as a freshman against Maryland
When I was a kid I wanted to...
play Division I softball Toss up between Maria Pandolfo and Tory Speer
be an ESPN reporter
Who is the funniest person on the team?
alex trautwig / heights senior staff
group work in class, I feel comfortable in a group with people, not necessarily taking charge of the group, but at least having, again, open lines of communication, which I think is very important.” Through a combination of experience, on-field execution, and overall initiative, Obrest’s BC softball team has seemingly earned the right to control its own destiny in a highly competitive ACC. From having a record far below the .500 mark and a spot in the basement of their conference to eclipsing last year’s win total only a month into this season, the Eagles have surely made what Lynette-Krech referred to as a “180-degree turn” quicker than anyone could have anticipated. Although tough competition awaits BC, the momentum it has already gained and looks to build upon will lead to magic on the diamond at Shea Field this spring. Fans, players, and, of course, a determined Ashley Obrest, recognize that only the sky’s the limit for this exciting group of Eagles. In stating the expectations for her team, the Eagle star-turned-coach added meaning to the old ball field adage of “Ya Gotta Believe.” “Our goal is obviously to be the best in the northeast and win an ACC championship,” Obrest said. “Everyone believes in that right now, and they’re buying in.” n
fo
By Tim Jablonski
kevin hou / heights senior staff
to
Speer looks to stay hot at plate
huge part in that.” Echoing the words of her teammate, Lynette-Krech spoke of how lessons learned in games and practices translate to everyday life as a college student. For instance, the approach she takes on the field oftentimes parallels her actions in an academic setting. “I’ve gotten a lot of experience with open lines of communication with people who feel uncomfortable in those circumstances,” she said. “So honestly, for
m
By Chris Grimaldi
Tory Speer or CJ Chichirgo
Who is the best pep-talker on the team?
Maria Pandolfo
Brit Wilkins
What is the best class you've taken at BC?
Astronomy with Kuchar
Freshman Literature with Defusco
interview by: sam costanzo
woogeon kim \ heights graphic