Issue date: 2/24/05 Section: Sports

Chanze Patterson

Eastern softball Coach Jane Worthington knows it's not going to be easy to win her second conference title in as many years, but with an excellent group of talent on this year's squad, the Colonels could be the first team to win consecutive OVC titles since 1999.

"It all depends on how bad the team wants to keep the championship here at Eastern," Worthington said. "The athletic ability is there, we're just a little short in numbers due to injuries, but in order to make up for our few numbers, we'll have to make it up in heart."

After winning the title last season, Eastern entered the 2005 season picked to win another title, but will have to do so without the presence of last season's OVC Player of the Year, Diana Barreras, and first team All-OVC pick, Kelli Bromley. Last season Barreras and Bromley led the Colonels with .330 and .356 batting averages, respectively.

"Last year if Dia could get us going, the team would follow, and we don't have that this year," Worthington said. "We don't have the little spark plug that's going to get us going, but Dia did a lot of things that set the tone for the game and got us going."



Sophomores

Although Eastern lost five seniors from last year's squad, the Colonels added three solid freshmen, to go along with some of the top sophomores in the conference.

"Our sophomores are going to be a big part of our team, but our freshmen are also a big part of our team," Worthington said. "We're really young; we're starting seven underclassmen."

Sophomore first baseman Adriel Foxley leads Eastern from the plate, as she recorded a .316 batting average last season and led the team with eight homeruns and 37 RBI's.

"Adriel is a big part of our team," Worthington said. "She brings a lot of power to the plate for us."

Also leading the way for Eastern's sophomore class is pitcher Kelsey Anderson. Anderson was tabbed as last season's OVC Newcomer of the Year, as she finished the season with an 18-9 record, with an ERA of 1.64.

"Kelsey is a little bit better than she was last year; we've added a couple of pitches, so hopefully its going to make her stronger than she was last year, and she was pretty darn good last year."

Eastern's offense will be boosted from senior infielder Jennifer Norris. Norris batted .329 last season, and finished with 30 RBI's.

"Jen Norris is a senior that is going to be an everyday player for us," Worthington said.

Continued...

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