Issue date: 3/5/10 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Sunny Wang Freshman Alison Towery throws at softball practice on Wednesday afternoon outside the Indoor Tennis and Track Center.

DePauw's softball team starts its season tomorrow with a double-header against Maryville University and Transylvania University in Maryville, Tenn. As the defending Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference champions, the Tigers have high expectations for another dominant season.

Last season, the Tigers posted a 32-9 record. They went 14-0 in SCAC play and hope to add to the streak this year.

"We have had a lot of success in the past, and we are looking just to build upon that," said junior Emma Minx. "But to be honest, we try to just take it one game at a time. We don't want to get caught up in rankings or looking past opponents."

For Minx and the rest of the Tigers, keeping up a strong mental game and solid team unity is what's going to bring the success of seasons past. Perhaps the biggest challenge for the Tigers early in the season will be molding a fairly young team.

With eight freshman, DePauw comes to the plate with a young roster, but its youth has done nothing to deter the team. For many. the relative inexperience means team unity will be that much more important.

"We definitely want to come together as a team," said freshman Jamie Story. "That's one of our biggest goals, because when everyone is comfortable around one another, you play better and are more successful."

At the end of last year, the Tigers were No. 15 in in the nation, but, as Minx stated, the team is going into this season with a fresh mind and no hint of complacency. Talent and experience are not hard to find despite having a large freshman class since the Tigers lost only four seniors from last year.

"I think our first step is going to be bonding and getting to know each other better, since we are so young," said sophomore Jen Kosinski. "Once that happens I think our season will be successful, hopefully ending in the NCAA national tournament."

The softball team begins play Saturday at 10 a.m. against Maryville followed by Transylvania. It will play the same teams in a doubleheader starting at 10 a.m. Sunday.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools