Another winMarch 12, 2009
The girls rolled out of bed at 6:00 to be at breakfast at
6:30. After that we left for the fields. As we arrived at
the ball park, we realized we were followed by a police car.
Apparently the police thought we were traveling a little too
fast for his taste. However, thanks to coaches smooth
talking, he let us off with a warning.
With that aside, we started our warm-ups for our 8:30 game
against the University of La Verne who are ranked 15th in
the nation. Despite how hard we worked we couldn’t match up
to the Leopards. They were definitely a strong team and hit
every hole on the field. By the 5th inning, they were able
to score 10 runs before we could score any. Immediately
after, we had to gear up for the second game. It seems that
all we needed was a warm up game because we came out ready
to win against Northwestern College. Our defense
strengthened and our hitting improved. These changes in
fundamentals lead us to our second win in the tournament. We
had a game in between our 2nd and 3rd games which allowed us
to rehydrate and grab a bite to eat. The 3rd game against
Peru State College was a well played game despite the final
score (7-0). We held them until the 5th inning until they
pulled ahead with a major hitting rally. We played our
opponents tough and many of us have battle wounds to prove
it.
Regardless of the losses, we were pumped with yet another
win in the score book. We then went back to the hotel where
many of the girls went to socialize at the pool while others
went out to eat with their parents. After pizza at the pool,
we played a game of Monmouth trivia. An unfair arrangement
of teams allowed two seniors to dominate the intense
competition. We then talked the coaches into taking us out
for ice cream. The van ride was filled with picture taking
and dancing… how we still had so much energy, I do not know.
The dance party continued for a while longer at the hotel
until the day caught up with us. We soon fled to our own
rooms where we called it a night.
Season opener
March 11, 2009
The morning started with another team breakfast followed by an
inspirational meeting from the coaches and captains. During this
meeting, the coaches shared their confidence in us and the captains went
over the team goals. We then went back to our rooms to prepare for our
two games in the 77 degree heat. We left for the fields at 11:15 for the
game at 1:00. The van ride was basically silent due to a mixture of
nerves and "getting in the zone".
The game against State University of New York (SUNY) started off a
little rough as we gave up a leadoff home run. However, this did not
phase our team because we came out hitting as well. This game was no
doubt an offensive game. Each inning our opponents would score a couple
or runs and we would respond back with just as many. By the 7th inning,
the score was tied and we went to the international tie breaker. It
wasn’t until the 10th inning that we pulled ahead and won the game 10 to
11.
The second game against Baldwin Wallace College was a more personal
game for us. This team is sharing the hotel with us and this win would
grant us bragging rights. However, this did not work out in our favor.
Due to the 2 and a half hour game that we had just played, we were not
exactly playing our best. They came out swinging and hitting the holes.
But as Scots, we did not give up and managed to score 4 runs throughout
the game. The final score was 4 to 10 in 7 innings.
The ride back was filled with chatter about the games and excitement
about our win. However, we were also a little nervous about the empty
gas tank had been riding since we left for the 15 minute ride to the
ball fields. As we were frantically searching for a gas station, we were
dreading the idea of having to push the huge white van through rush hour
traffic. Luckily we were able to find a gas station and we drove back to
the hotel peacefully.
Upon arrival, we were greeted with a huge assortment of Subway
sandwiches which we enjoyed under a canopy in the refreshing Arizona
air. As soon as we left, Baldwin Wallace College flooded the area.
Needless to say, we all raced out of that canopy to avoid any awkward
situations. After dinner, many of the girls put on their suits and
relaxed in the hot tub while those who had raspberries immediately hit
the showers. Team bonding didn’t last too long tonight due to an early
wake up call for tomorrows games. Rest well ladies, tomorrow we have 3
W’s to take home.
Our first day
March 10, 2009
This morning we had a wakeup call at 8:15 to have a team breakfast
at 8:30. It was a little chilly when we walked out to the bacon,
eggs, and potatoes, a pretty decent continental breakfast. After
breakfast, we made our way to the pool area and as the temperatures
were heating, we resorted to our suits. After soaking up some rays
and one very intense game of chicken fights, it was time to start
getting focused. We traveled to a practice field in a somewhat shady
part of town. However, you know the residents are friendly when a
ball hits a passing car and the driver puts the car in reverse to
retrieve it. The practice went well and the team’s hopes were raised
for the coming games. We left the practice field to check out
Lincoln Park, the fields for game day. After enjoying a snack at the
ball fields, we came back to the hotel and prepared to eat a real
meal at the Olive Garden. On the way there, we were entertained by
the multicolored houses and decorative bridges. After our meal, we
came back to the hotel to share some laughs along with a show and
tell session.
The trip to AZ
March 9, 2009
With mixed emotions of anxiety, excitement, and anticipation, the majority of
the softball team didn’t get much shut eye last night. We arrived at the Peoria
Air Port at 10:30 and prepared to board at 12:30. One would be surprised at how
much attention 20 girls in red and black jumpsuits, posing for a multitude of
pictures actually receive. Multiple friendly passengers were drilling us with
questions and wishing us luck in our journey across 7 states to Mesa, Arizona.
After going through security, many of the players enjoyed the most expensive
subway of their lives. Hopefully they treasured their $11 sandwich and chips.
The flight was relatively painless apart from an obnoxious toddler screaming for
his bottle before takeoff and a few shakes from the 100 mile an hour winds we
were facing.
We were welcomed once again with people eager to know all the details about our
tournament, not to mention 75 degree weather and palm trees. Next was the
somewhat dreaded two hour van ride to the hotel in Tucson. However, many of the
girls found refuge in experiencing the mountainsides never seen in Illinois.
Others found the cacti and tumbleweeds to be their point of focus. But after
arriving at the hotel, the girls called it an early night due to the dropping
temperatures and the exhausting trip.