http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/940222.html
In so many words, Hornets softball didn't cave
The players listened when their coach offered wise sayings.
By John Schumacher - [email protected]
Last Updated 12:29 am PDT Thursday, May 15, 2008
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1
After her players lost four consecutive games at Loyola Marymount last month, Sacramento State softball coach Kathy Strahan decided they needed some inspiration.
So she spent several hours on the Internet, printed out 10 motivational sports sayings and posted them in the Hornets' dugout.
Strahan asked her players to write their names on the two that most spoke to them. Then she watched her team save its season.
The Hornets reeled off eight consecutive victories – four home games against Santa Clara and four contests at San Diego – to win the Pacific Coast Softball Conference title and earn their first NCAA Tournament berth in 13 years.
Sacramento State (32-19) draws 16th-seeded Fresno State (51-11) in the first round of the 64-team, double-elimination event at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Fresno. Cal (40-24) and San Diego State (43-15) also are in the Fresno Regional.
Those sayings will come along for the ride, just as they did for the trip to San Diego.
"I think it really resonated with them and gave them a sense of, You know, you guys, we can do this," said Strahan, whose team finished 14-6 in conference play. "It was a little bit of a turning point."
Among Strahan's inspirational selections:
• "The best way to predict your future is to create it." – Unknown
• "Ask not what your teammates can do for you; ask what you can do for your teammates." – Magic Johnson (with a nod to John F. Kennedy)
• "Champions keep playing until they get it right." – Billie Jean King
• "If you really want to do something, you'll find a way; if you don't, you'll find an excuse." – Unknown
"It worked really well," said junior catcher Jamie Schloredt, the PCSC Player of the Year from Woodland High School. "It rang true for several of the girls."
Said junior left fielder Izmena Cabrera: "I think it's good to have that kind of mentality around you."
Talent helps, too. Sacramento State displayed plenty on offense, setting team season records in eight categories so far, including batting average (.315), home runs (34) and RBIs (260).
"This year, our offense has just been ridiculous," said Schloredt, who hit .412 with 12 home runs.
Cabrera, a transfer from College of Charleston and Vacaville High School, delivered 52 RBIs, which ranks 17th in the country. Senior center fielder Hilary Johnson hit .340, senior shortstop Amy Tompkins .332.
Junior Kayla Meeks (14-8, 3.21 ERA), sophomore Brittani Clifford (12-6, 2.47) and freshman Megan Schaefer (5-4, 2.75) have performed well enough pitching by committee to extend the Hornets' season.
"It's just a bunch of great kids that can get along together well," said Strahan, 52, who guided the Hornets to NCAA bids in 1993 and 1995 and won an AIAW national championship as a second baseman-shortstop at Michigan State in 1976.
"They really genuinely enjoy each other, and they're pretty good."
And pretty smart. The softball team's Academic Progress Rate of 990 – a score that factors in eligibility, retention and graduation – tied with gymnastics for the highest on campus and is well above the national average of 965 for Division I softball teams.
"That's the No. 1 reason we're here," Strahan said. "These athletes aren't going to sign a million-dollar contract to go play professional softball anywhere.
"They're human beings first, they're students second, they're athletes third."
This week, they're a group of young women eager to produce in the NCAA Tournament.
"We just need to bust our butt," Tompkins said. "We just decided, 'OK, game on.' "
In so many words, Hornets softball didn't cave
The players listened when their coach offered wise sayings.
By John Schumacher - [email protected]
Last Updated 12:29 am PDT Thursday, May 15, 2008
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1
After her players lost four consecutive games at Loyola Marymount last month, Sacramento State softball coach Kathy Strahan decided they needed some inspiration.
So she spent several hours on the Internet, printed out 10 motivational sports sayings and posted them in the Hornets' dugout.
Strahan asked her players to write their names on the two that most spoke to them. Then she watched her team save its season.
The Hornets reeled off eight consecutive victories – four home games against Santa Clara and four contests at San Diego – to win the Pacific Coast Softball Conference title and earn their first NCAA Tournament berth in 13 years.
Sacramento State (32-19) draws 16th-seeded Fresno State (51-11) in the first round of the 64-team, double-elimination event at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Fresno. Cal (40-24) and San Diego State (43-15) also are in the Fresno Regional.
Those sayings will come along for the ride, just as they did for the trip to San Diego.
"I think it really resonated with them and gave them a sense of, You know, you guys, we can do this," said Strahan, whose team finished 14-6 in conference play. "It was a little bit of a turning point."
Among Strahan's inspirational selections:
• "The best way to predict your future is to create it." – Unknown
• "Ask not what your teammates can do for you; ask what you can do for your teammates." – Magic Johnson (with a nod to John F. Kennedy)
• "Champions keep playing until they get it right." – Billie Jean King
• "If you really want to do something, you'll find a way; if you don't, you'll find an excuse." – Unknown
"It worked really well," said junior catcher Jamie Schloredt, the PCSC Player of the Year from Woodland High School. "It rang true for several of the girls."
Said junior left fielder Izmena Cabrera: "I think it's good to have that kind of mentality around you."
Talent helps, too. Sacramento State displayed plenty on offense, setting team season records in eight categories so far, including batting average (.315), home runs (34) and RBIs (260).
"This year, our offense has just been ridiculous," said Schloredt, who hit .412 with 12 home runs.
Cabrera, a transfer from College of Charleston and Vacaville High School, delivered 52 RBIs, which ranks 17th in the country. Senior center fielder Hilary Johnson hit .340, senior shortstop Amy Tompkins .332.
Junior Kayla Meeks (14-8, 3.21 ERA), sophomore Brittani Clifford (12-6, 2.47) and freshman Megan Schaefer (5-4, 2.75) have performed well enough pitching by committee to extend the Hornets' season.
"It's just a bunch of great kids that can get along together well," said Strahan, 52, who guided the Hornets to NCAA bids in 1993 and 1995 and won an AIAW national championship as a second baseman-shortstop at Michigan State in 1976.
"They really genuinely enjoy each other, and they're pretty good."
And pretty smart. The softball team's Academic Progress Rate of 990 – a score that factors in eligibility, retention and graduation – tied with gymnastics for the highest on campus and is well above the national average of 965 for Division I softball teams.
"That's the No. 1 reason we're here," Strahan said. "These athletes aren't going to sign a million-dollar contract to go play professional softball anywhere.
"They're human beings first, they're students second, they're athletes third."
This week, they're a group of young women eager to produce in the NCAA Tournament.
"We just need to bust our butt," Tompkins said. "We just decided, 'OK, game on.' "
