Team still tops before SCAC
By: Tyler James
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Sports
For the second week in a row, the softball team remains ranked No. 1 in the nation. But in this weekend's SCAC tournament, all the standings and records will be thrown out. After last season's disappointing losses against lower seeds, the Tigers are focused on winning the tournament for the first time and earning an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.
The Tigers have enjoyed the success of the regular season, but they have been waiting all season for this tournament.
"We prepare for the conference tournament all season long," said junior outfielder Chelsy Patterson. "We've had a successful season so far, but this is a championship we want to win."
After last year's losses, the juniors and sophomores have plenty of motivation heading into the tournament. With such a young team, it is important that the upperclassmen share their experiences of last year's postseason. They have seen firsthand the energy and focus that it takes to win the conference tournament and will stress these things to the freshmen.
"Last year proved to us that any team can win on any given day," said junior catcher Rachel Gill. "We are not going to underestimate anyone."
Earning the No. 1 seed for the eastern division in the conference, the Tigers will benefit from a first-round bye in the this weekend's double-elimination tournament. However, the bye means little for the players, according to Gill and Soultz.
"The first-round bye is more of a convenience than anything else in terms of game times and opponents," said sophomore pitcher Megan Soultz. "We still have to come out and perform in order to be successful this weekend."
The SCAC championship is a six-team double-elimination tournament. The tournament will be held at Millenium Park in Danville, Ky., home of Centre College and will open Friday morning and crown a champion Sunday afternoon. Apart from DePauw, Austin College, Centre College, Hendrix College, Millsaps College and Trinity University will be vying for the SCAC title. The winner of the tournament will receive an automatic bid into the NCAA championship.
The Tigers will open play in the SCAC championship Friday afternoon against the winner of the first round-matchup between Austin College and Centre College. The game will start at 4 p.m.
The Tigers have enjoyed the success of the regular season, but they have been waiting all season for this tournament.
"We prepare for the conference tournament all season long," said junior outfielder Chelsy Patterson. "We've had a successful season so far, but this is a championship we want to win."
After last year's losses, the juniors and sophomores have plenty of motivation heading into the tournament. With such a young team, it is important that the upperclassmen share their experiences of last year's postseason. They have seen firsthand the energy and focus that it takes to win the conference tournament and will stress these things to the freshmen.
"Last year proved to us that any team can win on any given day," said junior catcher Rachel Gill. "We are not going to underestimate anyone."
Earning the No. 1 seed for the eastern division in the conference, the Tigers will benefit from a first-round bye in the this weekend's double-elimination tournament. However, the bye means little for the players, according to Gill and Soultz.
"The first-round bye is more of a convenience than anything else in terms of game times and opponents," said sophomore pitcher Megan Soultz. "We still have to come out and perform in order to be successful this weekend."
The SCAC championship is a six-team double-elimination tournament. The tournament will be held at Millenium Park in Danville, Ky., home of Centre College and will open Friday morning and crown a champion Sunday afternoon. Apart from DePauw, Austin College, Centre College, Hendrix College, Millsaps College and Trinity University will be vying for the SCAC title. The winner of the tournament will receive an automatic bid into the NCAA championship.
The Tigers will open play in the SCAC championship Friday afternoon against the winner of the first round-matchup between Austin College and Centre College. The game will start at 4 p.m.
Be the first to comment on this story