Show The Utah Statesman Wednesday March 10 1982 Pjg Aggie softball team prepared to defend crown by Three graduating seniors from the team already have jobs waiting Janet Leising is a junior from New York and a catcher on the softball team She is also a computer science Carl Llleard Two years ago they were “wild and abandoned freshmen" who “fell into the playoffs” Last year they were the national champs suddenly older and experienced but thought to be staying home and unable to defend their ti- major who is already teaching classes She will graduate a quarter early with one year of eligibility remaining “In my major I do need to be on campus to use the terminals but I'm an exception” said Leising “Most students can get their material by reading the books I do agree that sports make school harder tle But whether wild freshmen or experienced veterans the L'tah State University women’s soft-ba- ll team went to Norman Okla twice and k brought home national championships As anv successful person knows winning is not alwavs easy whether athletically or scholastically There has recently been some questioning of the ability of student atheietes to compete in class and in sports According to Coach Llovdene Searle athletics is not a disruptive force but often is a stabilizing one back-to-bac- but I wouldn't be going to school if not for essential She said “In softball upper body strength and quickness are critical” The ladies start fall quarter with an intensive weight program combined with distance running and sprints During winter quarter the softball team continues running and weight training but adds nightly sessions in the field house to sharpen their softball trainskills The rigorous year-roun- d ing bears fruit during spring break when the team hits the road for their first competition at Idaho State in the Minidome Tournament March There are eight players returning from the championship squad of last year most of whom were also on the national team of two years ago These 12-1- include two-ye- ar 4 all conference player -- nominee Yolanda Robin Petrini Leising has been e and playing organized ball for 10 years and like hurler Mary Lou Ramm Ramm carries with her an ERA which her most of the team have devoted a major most professional pitchers pray for These three also contribute much of part of their lives to the skills which the team's hitting but Searle feels that make a winning other teams are still taking the Ags team lightly Searle feels “The other teams still feel that that cone we’re lucky and don't deserve the vl tioning titles” Arvizu said With all of their weight gunpower the team has set their ship on course for the nationals hoping to are Robin Petrini returns for another year Shortstop blow their doubters out of the water swinging the bat for USU's softball team The Aggies for the third straight year begin play this weekend at Idaho State University soft-bal- Rl l” and Arvizu and twice one-tim- “We have prepared for this yew’! play by setting both team and individual goals” said Searle “Asa team we hope to win our regional! to get the one automatic national berth As individuals the ladies are trying to improve their skills and attitudes to give an improvement in statistics' The Aggies are bound to feel the pressure but as senior Jane Worthington said “Nobody dominates the The other teams still feel that we re lucky and don't ileseree the title ' C 3 team People come through when they need to” This attitude during games may be boosted by a new home field on campus The team played their last seano in Smithfield to the cheers of a small but highTy vocal band of supporters Searle hopes the new field will give the team more exposure to the student body The cards are down on the table and it seems the deck has been stacked in favor of Utah State With all of the assets available Searle and her dub should easily continue their winning tradition Following the Minidome Tourna- ment in March the Aggies will begin their annual spring road trip They are slated to play 16 games between March 25 and April 4 (onvocatiorrSeri 3rd Annual BISTRO St PARKAS °X-- C SKIS Patricks Day Party Wed March 17 Live Entertainment SUJATRS RlSOSRV ON SKIS BOOTS BINDINGS SftffllDNS SKJ&SPDHIS 1031 NORTH MAIN 'Subject to BOOTS X-- C - 752-077- 2 Change" Convocanon beneS Or Joyce Brothers “CrJ Grfng a Osman” Thurs March II 12:30 fAC ssridbgmsi GREEN BEER! Door prizes! From 8 pm-- 9 pm 2 Green Beers for the price of one! |