Softball looks to bounce back in 2009
Posted by Administrator on Feb 11 2009
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Photo by Justin Buchanan
Jessie Thomas, a sophomore from Yutan, puts all her effort into pitching at practice Feb. 5. The Lopers open the season Feb. 20 in the RMAC/NSIC Crossover Tournament Tournament in Colorado Springs.

By Jeremy Starzec
Antelope Staff

UNK Softball is preaching "unity" this season along with higher expectations. The Lopers finished the 2008 season with a disappointing record 22-28.

"It would be nice to experience a regional berth," said eight-year head coach Holly Carnes about one of the team's goals.

For the Lopers to achieve this goal, they must be ready mentally and physically.

"We are focusing on working hard on the little things," Carnes said about pre-season conditioning.

The "little things" that Carnes is talking about includes instilling into the girls' minds that one player is not better than the team. On the physical aspect of the game, they are working on speed, aggressiveness and hitting, and they are doing this by spending some extra time in the weight room during the off-season.

Another nice addition to the softball team is new equipment.

"We added a new pitching machine that throws golf ball sized balls so they really have to track the ball," Canes said.

This addition should help the Lopers hit the ball, which is vital in the RMAC. The conference as a whole hit over 500 home runs last season.

"We (RMAC) are known for hitting, so we (Lopers) need to step up and do our job there," Carnes said.

Hitting was not a strength for the Lopers last season. However, Laura Gormley, a redshirt junior from Omaha, and Cassie Keck, a sophomore from Blair, return this season after leading the team in hitting respectfully.

Keck will play third base, while Gormley will play first base. Last season both were All-RMAC players.

The pitching staff will be lead by a duo from Mead, senior Ashley Guyle and sophomore Jessie Thomas. Also, freshman Kirstie Hiatt from McCook should see some significant playing time.

Guyle looks forward to being the leader on the team and says she has been preparing for this since her sophomore year.

"I've had some really good leaders in the past, and I am enjoying the leadership role," Guyle said.

Outfielder Hannah Limme, from Kirk, Colo., is the other senior on this year's squad who will help Guyle with the leadership role.

The Lopers open the season with six games in three days playing in the RMAC/NSIC Crossover Tournament in Colorado Springs, Colo., Feb. 20-22.