McNeese State University - Log Yearbook (Lake Charles, LA)

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Hard-working rookies cNeese Softball Head Coach Rose Ruffino and assistant coach Julie Mancuso certainly had no reason to feel alone last season. Although both were indeed rookie coaches, starting fresh with an eager team, they were accompanied by an equally new head football coach and head women’s basketball coach. A graduate of Texas A M, Ruffino gained collegiate experience last sea- son as a graduate assistant at Sam Houston State; it was there that she helped guide the Lady Bearkats toward a Gulf South Conference title. During her undergraduate years at A M, Ruffino helped the Lady Aggies win two national titles, the NCAA in 1983 and the AIAW in 1984. After her graduation from McNeese, she signed as a graduate assistant at Sam Houston where she served for two seasons. A native of Bryan, Texas, Ruffino is also a fulltime instructor in the McNeese health and physical educa- tion department Julie Mancuso is a native of Lake JULIE MANCUSO Charles and played softball at Barbe High School. She had originally signed with Sam Houston State out of high school, but her promising career as a ROSE RUFFINO player was cut short by knee injuries. | A health and education major Mancuso received her bachelor degre) i} in May from McNeese State. LR OSL G FE IEEE YP LEE HEIDI FONTENOT struggles to reach a low bunt while fans wonder how a golf ball could get that big. LEIGH KING works on her outfield form during a sunny afternoon practice session. 200 Softball ©) I

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RES EEEEEROEA® EERE ERE EH eB ae Se cme SG Rs Slugging it out cNeese Softball, as with many other sports this season, is un- dergoing a series of changes. New coaches and an updated team will be put to the test on the field this year. Head coach Rose Ruffino is facing her first year in charge of the team; and Julie Mancuso, also in her first year of coaching McNeese ball, will assist her. Five starters from last season are re- turning, leaving four positions to be filled. The most critical position left open is that on the pitcher's mound. Only one member of the team has pre- vious college pitching experience, there- fore Coach Ruffino’s concern is devel- oping a starter and an able relief squad. However, Coach Ruffino does not have to worry about five positions because outfielder Joy Gambino, shortstop Cher- amie Boynes, outfielder Amy Herbert, catcher Cindy Mickel, and the first base- man Heide Fontenot have plans to re- turn. Gambino was chosen second team all-Southland Conference last season while Herbert and Boynes received hon- orable mentions. Herbert was also the team’s top hitter with a .338 batting average, 12 RBI’s and a home run. The all-new coaching staff and young team, facing unfavorable odds, opened the season against Louisiana Tech on February 21. The Cowgirls began slowly with some upsetting defeats. However, as the season progressed, the turn- around game came when the team al- most defeated UTA, the top team in the conference, losing the last inning. Though they were defeated, the team morale felt a much-needed boost. The Cowgirls went on to win their next three games, including a double- header sweep of arch-rival USL and a win over conference opponents North Texas State. “The pitchers are coming around for us,’ stated Coach Ruffino. The team closed the season with the conference tournament on April 30 in Natchitoches. Even though the team may not have reached the top this sea- son, they have certainly built a strong foundation upon which they can rely for a better next season. CHERAMIE BOYNES prepares to put a stop to a Sam Houston play- ers base-winning intentions. LEFT FIELDER Leigh King makes careful plans before successfully stealing a base. CAROLINE SHANNON smashes a hit into right field. ) Softball 199

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‘ | | Mf | | Cheramie Boynes Caroline Shannon | 4 Jennifer Blackwell LE) lah | lele| | He} | . | im) | ; at | Mh |. i fi. Vp yd Mb oA 2 k Terri Wiggins 9 re Lew |. | Heather Chisolm Christine Lee fd ( Wn ii 2 a Heidi Fontenot Lg Amy Hebert Cindy Mickel le II ) Softball 201