Belles have busy sports weekend ahead
By NATALIE BAILEY and DONNA LUBBERS
Sports Writers
Saint Mary's softball hosts Alma for a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. Wrapping up a week filled with rescheduled games and cancellations, the opportunity to play a game will be a welcome change, even if it is against the highest ranked team in the MIAA conference.
Senior co-captain and first baseman, Rachel Deer found the cancellation and rescheduling of their game against Calvin to be frustrating.
"We haven't played games on a consistent basis this season," she said. "We are looking forward to playing on Saturday."
Returning players know the challenge that awaits them.
"Every year Alma is a very skilled batting team," Deer said. Her strategy is to shut their offense down. "They are very good at manipulating their offense by bunting and slapping so our defense has to be good on Saturday," said Deer.
Junior outfielder Jill Clark agreed.
"Last year Alma had very good hitters. The line shots to the outfield and hits in the gap gave them a lot of their runs," she said.
With a consistently strong defense this year, Clark sees a need to be ready to step up to Alma offensively.
"A very strong offense is going to be key," Clark said. "We need to walk up to the plate with a lot of confidence and make sure we match them hit for hit."
In light of their current 0-4 league record, the Belles realize Alma is going to be a tough competitor.
"We need to step up our play considerably from our last two conference games. Alma is not a team that can be taken lightly," Deer said.
Saint Mary' Golf
This Saturday, the Saint Mary's golf team will be competing in their first meet of the Spring season at Brookwood Golf Course in Buchanan, Michigan at 10 a.m. Under head coach Theresa Pekarek, the team had an impressive third place finish in the fall conference championship, behind the first place team by only three strokes.
Ten women will be competing at the tournament — six main players and four at an exhibition level. Freshman Julia Adams will be one of those contending. "We just have two tournaments this spring," she said. "I hope we can all play as well as we can and prove to everyone that we're a good team."
Coach Pekarek believes that Saint Mary's has definite advantages for Saturday. "We're playing on our home course. We've played on this course many times, and we know it well," she said.
Pekarek also has high expectations for the tournament. "Our underclassmen have tournament experience under their belts now," she said. "I expect everyone will play well."
All Sports Stories for Friday, April 12, 2002
