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Written by Tyler Ropp and Brittany
Medcalf With
the success shown in recent years, the Lady Wildcat Softball team
looks to have another eminent season in 2008 after setting standards
so high for themselves. With the six returning seniors on the
team their is no doubt that their is leadership and potential, giving
them hope to take it that step further in the post season this
year.
Hard work is something that most of these girls are used to, after
closing in on their summer workouts, they are more ready than ever to
take the field this spring. When we interviewed Junior standout
pitcher Jenn Murray she said, " I feel this year is going
to be better than years past because of our overall team chemistry,
the clicks are over and we just want to play softball and
win." Jenn has been the teams ace pitcher since she was a freshman,
but her success does not come without hard work, she privately takes
lessons 6 times a week, always working to get better
individually and also to help the team as a whole. The team
opens up their season at home on Thursday March 20th against Metamora
with the first pitch at 4:15pm. Another attribute to the West
softball team is returning star Caiti Kopp who has recently signed her
National Letter of Intent to go on and play the next level at
Illinois State University next year in the fall, along with Caiti is
Junior Alex Pflieger who has signed her letter of intent play at
Western Illinois. When we asked Caiti what they did in preparation
to make this season even more successful that those of prior, she
said, " All of our hard work in the weight room and at our boot camp
is what it takes to take it that one step further, and this is the
year." Kopp also mentioned how tight weaved the team chemistry
is this year and she feels that that is another key component to the
teams success this year. Other Key players include sophomore
Jenna Patrick who looks to help the Wildcats in the outfield,
sophomore shortstop Kelsey Jipp, Nina Reimer at Second Base, and also
senior Torie Kovanic who has been known to have a little pop in her
bat, and also plays first base.
Instilling all of this hard work and motivation in these talented
players is Head Coach Schermann and Assistant Coach Brown. Coach
Schermann has been in charge of the varsity squad since 2004 after
taking over for long time Unit 5 coach Lloyd Hulit. Under her is
Assistant Coach Brown, who before being promoted to varsity assistant,
coached at the JV level for five years as the head coach. After
speaking with Coach Schermann she is expecting a lot out of all of her
seniors and also on the arm of Jenn, coach stated, " With Jenn in
her third year on the varsity squad we have high hopes in her and know
that if we all work together behind her that our team will be a
powerhouse."
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Coach Schermann
Jenn Murray |
