02/22/08
Jennifer Rigdon thinks she has the recipe for making a winning Baker softball team.
Mix a strong core of veteran leaders with loads of young talent. Sprinkle in a new assistant coach, three new pitchers and several ripened utility players to fill in when necessary. Marinate indoors for weeks until blustery winter conditions subside, and cook until gloves are well done and bats are red-hot.
The plan is set; all that remains is the execution.
“We’ve got a great group of young ladies with good chemistry,” coach Rigdon said. “We’re very optimistic.”
Not all is peachy-keen, however. Rigdon, now in her sixth season as Baker softball coach, said this winter has been especially difficult to train due to the string of inclement weather. As of Monday, the softball team has yet to conduct a full practice outdoors.
“It’s been rough having to take ground balls indoors,” shortstop Katie Worley said. “It’s hard to simulate the field in Collins (Center).”
Not to be discouraged, the squad has remained focused while Rigdon spent the winter devising innovative ways in preparing the team for next Friday’s game against Iowa Wesleyan College in Springfield, Mo.
“We have broken down the practices into drills,” Rigdon said. “We have also talked a lot about mental preparation.”
Having not seen live pitching yet, mental preparation and toughness just might be the key in the early going for the ‘Cats. Despite featuring four freshmen in her starting lineup, Rigdon does not feel the typical sense of uncertainty with young players because of the way they have adjusted.
“The freshmen have taken constructive criticism well and worked really hard,” Rigdon said. “They appear to be grasping what we’re trying to accomplish.”
Co-captain Alexis Pryor is looking forward to hitting the dirt with the new talent. An all-conference catcher, Pryor said she was pleased with Rigdon’s recruiting class – particularly in the pitching department.
Last year, pitching served as the team’s Achilles’ heel when their No. 1 hurler went down with a shoulder injury. Back and healthy, sophomore Stephanie Nelson said she is excited to have some more depth around her.
“Having four pitchers should work really well in games,” Nelson said. “We all have completely different pitching styles; it should be really effective.”
Pryor, Nelson’s battery mate, said it would be extremely advantageous to have people who throw different pitches at varying speeds at their disposal.
The pitching staff has also been bolstered with the help of new assistant coach Paul Allen. Allen, father of outfielder Jayde Allen, is a former college baseball and professional fast-pitch softball player. While he has assisted in all areas of the game, Rigdon said he has especially worked with the new and improved bullpen.
“(Paul) has really helped them develop both their speed and breaking pitches,” Rigdon said.
Since the Early Bird Tournament has been cancelled, the team’s fresh faces and new arms will be put to the test next weekend against Iowa Wesleyan, York College, Dana College and Southwest Baptist University. Currently seeded sixth in the Heart of America Athletic Conference, Rigdon said the women are excited at the opportunity to improve upon last year.
“With the young talent we have, we should be able to explode this year and really make some things happen,” Rigdon said.
The first chance for ‘Cat softball fans to witness the explosion at home is at 5 p.m. March 4 against Haskell University.