sports 19 Women’s Softball team travels to Florida March 31 - April 13
Jodi Larson Staff Writer
The University of Wisconsin-Stout women’s softball team has high hopes for this year’s 2011 spring season. The softball team starts practicing at the beginning of the year and trains until the end of the semester in May. This year, the team is young. Many seniors have graduated, leaving the team open for many incoming freshmen. The team has been preparing for the season by lifting weights, conditioning and working to improve field skills. Every year the team goes on a spring training trip to get an early start on practicing outdoors. This year the team played 10 games at the National Training Center in Clermont, Fla. and ended up with seven wins and three losses. The trip is geared toward improving skills and to obtaining more experience playing against other teams. A big highlight of the trip was beating out the number eight-ranked team in the nation for Division III Messiah University. “Beating out Messiah University shows that our team does have potential, and it shows that when we all play together at the top of our game,” Sam Peterson, an applied science major and
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captain of the team from Hudson, Wis., said. “We are a great team capable of beating any team we face. The whole point of spring training is to prepare us for the rest of the season. The weather was great, we were successful, and we had a great time.” Traveling to Florida is a great way for the softball team to prepare for the spring season by escaping the Wisconsin winter and getting on the field sooner. Many of the athletes on the team have been a part of softball since they were very young. Because of this, the team is very close since the players share similar backgrounds. “The team this year is a lot of fun,” said Brianna Conrad, a junior in business administration. “We have a good group of girls, and we all get along. It’s like a second family and we are always there for each other. We do everything as a team, and we will succeed and fail as a team also. I have been on many teams before, but I can say this is one I really enjoy being on and fit right in.” The team shows a lot of strengths with having a close-knit group of athletes with a wide range of skill levels. Many of the girls can play multiple positions, giving the team a leg up against other
schools in the WIAC. “Our strength is definitely our bats; almost everyone on the team can hit the ball out of the park on any given day,” said Pitcher/outfielder Jessica Nicol. “We have worked extremely hard on adapting a new and upcoming type of hitting and it really shows in our game. Secondly, our team has outstanding chemistry. We are like family and we depend on each other and hold each other accountable, like a family would. Everyone has a mutual respect for each other, and that is something some teams can’t say they have.” “Softball is fast paced and can change at any time,” said pitcher Tara Kimberly. “One hit, one pitch or one play can make a huge difference. I love that it always keeps you on your toes. I really appreciate that it is a sport of detail and failure. I know it sounds funny, but being a good hitter means you fail seven out of every 10 times you step up to the plate. It is a sport that is humbling and because of that makes you work harder. I love the game.” Being part of the UW-Stout softball team has greatly impacted many of the athletes. “What I like about the team is that it gives me something to belong to,” said Peterson. “When I came here as a freshman- and not knowing many people- it was great to know that I already had
people to go to if I needed help. It was a comfort thing in a way. I like how everyone on the team is competitive. It makes playing the game more fun.” I have learned what it means to be a college athlete. We are held to a much higher standard than the rest of the students at this school, and it makes you think twice about your words and actions. I think I have become a greater student- as you need good grades to participate in athletics. Softball teaches you many life lessons, some of which cannot be taught in the classroom. Hard work, dedication, perseverance, competitiveness, teamwork, commitment, time management, sportsmanship, class and honesty are a few things softball has taught me. Sports are a major learning tool, and many people forget about that key piece of sports. Many people think we just play around all day long, but we work hard even when we are having fun. I have learned a lot from softball that I never would have learned in a classroom listening to a lecture.” The UW-Stout softball team is gearing up for another spring season. With preparation and hard work, the team is bound to have a good year. Come and cheer the team on at the first game on April 2 down on the softball fields by Johnson Fieldhouse.
Pitcher Bri Conrad went strong into the sixth inning.
Layne Pitt / Contributed photo.