Softball will rely on unity, experience in '98 campaign
Campus Times
February 20, 1998
Softball is a team sport, and in 1998 the University of La Verne has
a program with a team attitude.
The Leopards have seven returning starters: senior outfielder Jamie
Anderson; senior outfielder Teresa Garcia; senior pitcher/first baseman
Amber Hall, senior third baseman Liz Lomeli; sophomore second baseman Jamie
Poole; junior outfielder Jennifer Thompson; and junior outfielder Lindsey
Weber.
Last season, the Leopards were 17-22 overall and 9-15 in the Southern
California Intercollegiate Conference (SCIAC), but this season promises
to be better, according to head coach Julie Kline.
"We are fortunate to have a team skilled and talented enough to
contribute in every aspect of the game," said Kline.
The Leopards figure to be one of the top teams in their respected conference
this season, along with Cal Lutheran and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.
Kline said Redlands and Whittier will surprise some teams. Kline is
entering her sixth year as head coach and comes in the 1998 campaign with
a career record of 105-85.
This season Kline sees the playoffs as a possibility for the Leopards.
"If we continue to work hard and execute, we will do very well
in league and possibly go further-playoffs maybe," said Kline.
La Verne is solid from top to bottom. There are 12 players on the Leopards'
roster that can hit and play the field according to Kline. This will be
a welcome addition to a team that scored 187 runs but committed 90 errors
a year ago.
Overall, ULV hit .334 and compiled a 3.72 team ERA in 1997.
The Leopards must play to their strengths in 1998 and the possibilities
might be endless for this team.
"I think we look really good so far," said Hall, who studied
abroad last spring. "We have a lot of new players and how good we are
will depend on how well we mold together as a team."
Hall said the team will not know where it is as a unit until its season
begins. The big test for La Verne will be when it plays the stronger teams
in its conference.
The Leopards open their season tomorrow at home against SCIAC foe Cal
Lu at 2 p.m.
