The Observer, March 23, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 21
Victory against Wash. U highlights spring trip for softball team
When the softball team played its first game in Altamont Springs on March 13, the weather was a complete foil to the conditions in Cleveland. The sun was shining, and the temperature hovered right above 80 degrees. The bases weren't hidden by snow, and the pings and pops of softball bats sounded normal and felt good.
While it was nice to escape the frigid lake-effect air at Case, though, the team didn't quite meet all of its expectations, according to junior All-UAA outfielder Lauren Seeds.
"It's always hard to start our season with our conference tournament because the weather in Ohio doesn't allow us to play any games or even step onto a field for practice before we head down to Florida," she said.
That is certainly a disadvantage for the Spartans when they play a team from states further south, such as Emory in Atlanta or even Washington University in St. Louis. "The first few game-days down south are primarily used for figuring out a starting line-up, and then we just have to go into the tournament with what seems to work the best," says Seeds.
On the trip, the team compiled a 2-6 record in the conference, which is not bad considering it was its first time outdoors in many months. What made it even better was that one of the victories came against four-time defending conference champion Wash U. "Some days it feels like we can dominate any opponent on the field," said Seeds.
With Seeds and senior All-UAA infielder Carrie Casden both already off to booming starts, and pitcher Amanda Bell back for her junior year, the rest of the season looks promising. Seeds also explained that the tough competition in Florida will help the Spartans to prepare for future games.
While the competition surely helps, so does head coach Jennie Amodio, who enters her seventh year running the softball program at Case, and she looks to improve upon last year's record of 22-24-1.
"Coach Amodio is extremely passionate about the game, and really stresses teamwork and cohesiveness both on and off the field," said Seeds.
The Spartans look to make all that teamwork and cohesiveness pay off in the next month or so. With the snow all gone, and the weather warming up to a respectable 60 degrees, they are more than ready to play a home game. They will get their first chance this Sunday when they host Albion College for a doubleheader. First pitch is at 1 p.m.
