It's been a long couple of months for the ETBU softball team, coaches and players alike.
Not that the Lady Tigers have done much wrong on the field, necessarily -- ETBU is 14-8 and currently in third place in the ASC East playoff race. That puts them squarely in the mix for another trip to the conference tournament at the end of the month, which would give ETBU a 10th straight playoff appearance in the ASC.
But we'll have to forgive the players if they don't remember what it's like to play an actual game at Taylor Field. It's got to be as unfamiliar place as they've seen all year, other than the fact they have been able to practice there. The Lady Tigers haven't played a home game since way back on Feb. 19, when they swept Austin College to move to 2-0 on the season.
Since then, they've played 20 straight games on the road, going 12-8 in that stretch. A major league baseball team would consider that a great road trip. The fact that with the exception of a sweep at No. 2-ranked rival, Lousiana College, ETBU managed to split every road doubleheader so far against ASC East opponents, now has the Lady Tigers firmly in the driver's seat for the playoffs again.
A lot has happened since we last saw the ladies at Taylor Field. The last time they played at home, gasoline was still hovering around $3 a gallon (I paid $3.19 for a few gallons yesterday afternoon); Jason Kidd had just been traded to Dallas, that same day; and John McCain was still taking primaries seriously.
All that changes Saturday when ETBU hosts UT Dallas in the first of what will be a pivotal stretch to close the season. The Lady Tigers get to play 12 of their final 16 at home now, with every one of their closest competitors for the final playoff spot having to come to Taylor Field this month.
There are some tough home contests ahead, of course -- the top two ranked teams in the nation, LC and UT Tyler, will play two games apiece in Marshall over the next few weeks. UTD, Ozarks and Mississippi College all have playoff aspirations, and LeTourneau is a much better team this year than in years past.
Coach Schlabs and her players are happy to be at home again. We've had to move the start times back for the games to 2 p.m. due to the fact it's been raining buckets here in Marshall all day today (Friday), but the weather is supposed to be perfect tomorrow.
It'll be nice to have softball again.
1 comment:
Girls did about as well as could be hope for in 2008.
I was overly optimistic, I think, early. However, losing Christy, one of the best all time players in conference, and also losing Meredith and Kelli, who had 30 of the 32 wins from previous year was just too much to overcome in one recruiting year. Kelli was also one of the best catchers in conference in 2007.
I think 2009 will be even better though. Janae and her staff worked hard on recruiting and I'm looking forward to season already.
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