Morehead State University - Raconteur Yearbook (Morehead, KY)

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Wright 4 Ashland :COL With lack ofsupport from the University community, the University softball team wished to see a cheering crowd of supporters. Regardless oflow attendance, they won 2 ofthe 2 games played against Kentucky State on April 5. PHOTO BY: Tim Conn The team prided themselves on being able to work together. Most valuable player Joy Brookhank Gem, after hitting a homerun, shares the excitement with her team mates. PHOTO BY: Tim Conn W 157

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Three strikes but not OUT! The Lady Eagles softball team could best be described as a team with many strikes against them. Although they came out of the season with a winning record, for a long time the team has suf- fered from inconsistent coaching and lack of support from the University community. iiThe team has gone through a period of transition, since they have had three coaching changes in the last three years. It takes a while to get acclimated to a new coach, so of course the team suf- fered for the first half of the seasonfi said Coach Jim McClellan, the Current coach of the softball team. McClellan also coaches the volleyball team, and shares his softball responsibilities with coach David Brunk. McClellan went on to say that softball, and other iiminor sports, face the prob- lem of no publicity in campus publica- tions, particularly the Trail Blazer. iiUntil we can convince them that there are no minor sports to the people who play them, it will probably be the same wayfi said McClellan. iiVery few people were aware of the activities of the softball team because of the low amount of coverage in the paper? In spite of these setbacks, the team experienced a winning season while maintaining a challenging schedule. The teamfim'shed the season with a 23-21 record. Pitching against Kentucky Welseyan on April 23, University player helped win 2 of the two games played. PHOTO BY: jej?r Colquhoun Sports 156 The highlight of the season, to some team members, was the very close game the team played against Ohio State Uni- versity in the O.S.U. tournament. iiAt the top of the sixth inning we were ahead 4-0, but the Buckeyes made a big turnaround, and came back to beat us 10-6,,, said McClellan. Other larger schools the Lady Eagles played included the University of Ak- ron, and the University of Missouri. The team had no seniors, and every- one plans to return for the 1989 season. Weive done pretty well, especially considering our setback, mainly be- cause we get along so well together as a teamfi said junior Michelle Bernard, an English major from Columbus, Oh. Quite a few of us have been together for three years, so we should play as well together next season. Bernard is the right fielder for the team. Silver Grove junior Jamie Baker, a secondary science education major and the teams catcher, agreed. We should be really tough next year, since we have eight returning seniors and some good recruits in areas where theyire really needed? Having a closeknit team makes many mundane aspects of the season more en- joyable. iiWe always have a good time together when we go on weekend trips, said Joy Brookbank, a junior business management major. iiItis usual- ly fun to stay overnight, and even the bus trips aren,t too bad. Brookbank was the teams most valu- able player, having the highest batting average, about 3.25, and the most stolen bases, about 16. Brookbank also hit four home runs this year. She had to sit out the final part of this season however, be- cause of a fractured collar bone which she obtained in an automobile accident. In spite of Brookbanks contributions to the team, McClellan feels the softball squad is a team without a star. iiThe games we have won I can attri- bute to team effort; there is no one standout player? he said. Brookbank agreed with this view- point, saying, We need to continue to work together as a team and get every- one involved. Another part of our team that needs work is our errors, which we really need to cut down on. Also, another winning season should result if the team works in these areas. In addition to the talented recruits, con- sistent coaching and many veteran play- ers, the team has a new playing field to look forward to in the 1989 season. eBy: Karen Craigo

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Their days start by waking at 5:30 a.m., eating breakfast at 6:00 and then heading to the golf course to tee off at 6:30. The golf team began their day at the crack of dawn in an effort to be the best golfers they can possibly be. Coach Rex Chaney says that golf is 759?; mental and 25a; physical. iiGolfers win through careful strategy, rather than physical strengthf he said. Players are encouraged by their coach to keep everything in perspective dur- ing the golf season. 0A5 in all sports, golfers must consider academics as their first priority, golf as their second and their social lives as their last, said Coach Chaney. uGolfers need to be ex- tremely mature and dedicated? Once players reach the University, they are exposed to daily practice and competition. iiThe competition for a tournament actually starts two days before the team leavesf said Mike Fields, a Morehead junior. He commented that the entire team has the opportunity to qualify for x, Golf is more of a mental sport than physical. Play- ers must be in control of their mind out of the course as shown on Ronnie Byrdis face, a senior from Lawrenceburg. Byrd is the e2 player on the team with Fields holding lst. PHOTO BY: Kevin L. Goldy tournament action. iiEveryone has the chance to gofi said Fields. iiMembers of the team compete against each other, and then those with the five lowest scores advance to tourna- ment competition? Fields said that the Eagle golf team is capable ofwinning the Ohio Valley Con- ference Tournament iwth a lot ofdedica- tion and practice. The tournament will be held at Tennessee Tech in Nashville and the Eagles will be competing against eight teams. iiNext year the golf team should be a success because ofthe incoming recruits combined with players, experience from the past season? remarked Fields. One of the highlights of this season Getting in the swing of things was in Florida, where the team com- peted in two invitational tournaments. Five players went on this trip; they were Ronnie Byrd, Patrick Strong, Mike Fields, Todd Martin and Bud Taylor. The Florida tournament was com- pletely different than what the te 1m was used to, because the course had numer- ous, tough obstacles, such as water haz- ards and sand traps. The Eagle team fin- ished 10th out of 12 teams. Most golfers feel that this season has been a good experience, because mem- bers have gained valuable experience to carry them into next season, said Fields. - By: Angela Carter 8: Karen Craigo .