Pitching Staff Shines in Florida Sun Against Nation’s Top Teams

By Mandee Luers
Assistant Coach

I was really proud of how all of our pitchers went out relaxed last weekend, especially playing in big games like that. They did a good job of getting ahead and using their best pitches to their advantage. And they were very confident in throwing those pitches in all counts. They did such a good job and just went out and shut them down.

I think Erika Warren deserves a ton of credit. She calls the pitches and does a really good job of knowing the batters. Lauren McNeil did a really good job of getting ahead in counts and trusting Erika to put the ball where she needed to put it—keeping it off the plate and keeping it down. 

And then Ronnie Ladines did a great job using her changeup. She trusted Erika as well and threw the ball where she needed to. They just did a good job of hitting their spots and keeping the ball off the plate, and that’s what we focus on the most. You don’t to have the best pitches in the world, but if you can keep them of the plate and keep them on the corner, then you’re gonna throw a good game.

I think this weekend will be a challenge. Coming off a good weekend and going in to play in 30-degree weather, I think this weekend will be as much of a challenge as last weekend playing top 10 teams. It will be a different kind of challenge, but I do think we still have to go out there and pitch our best games. We don’t really talk too much about who we are playing or the other teams’ records. The girls know, but we don’t make that much of an issue. We really focus on where the ball should go and where we should pitch the ball.

Hometown Bank Student-Athlete of the Week: Emma Johnson

VIDEO: 2014 Season Preview

Weekend in Cali provides scenery change to open 2014 season

By Abbey Ledford
Senior Infielder

Our first weekend of the 2014 season out in California was a success. It was nice to finally practice and play outside on dirt.  It is hard to practice inside up until our first game, but it makes it really exciting when we get to be outside.

The entire team was really excited to play against somebody else, and it showed in the first two wins against George Washington and Santa Clara. Both the wins were team wins, as everyone did something to contribute. After the wins, we had the opportunity to go to downtown Long Beach and walk around. We took some pictures and ate dinner before heading back to the hotel to prepare for Saturday’s games.

Saturday was another good day for us, as we defeated George Washington again and then beat host Long Beach.  These wins were also team victories where we all contributed to coming out on top. We went to a nice Mexican restaurant afterward for dinner before we went back to the hotel. 

On Sunday, we received our first loss against Long Beach. The loss helped us see what areas we need to work on improving before we head to Florida in a little less than two weeks. It will also keep us motivated and hungry to beat the next team that steps on the field with us. 

I was very excited about how well we did this weekend and also all enjoyed the beautiful California weather, wins, and camaraderie of being together as a team. This is going to be a season to remember. 

Coach Linder addresses her team following an opening weekend
games in Long Beach, Calif. (Photo courtesy of Tom Linder)