The PSUC Softball team returned to Plattsburgh with a record of 9-5. Our season is under way. For a whole week (March 13-March 20), we played a doubleheader each day as we took part in the NTC Dot Richardson Tournament in Clermont, Florida.
We got off to a great start in going 6-1 through our first seven games of the season. We posted wins over New England College (9-0 in 5 innings), Babson (2-0), Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham (1-0), and Western New England College (6-3) in the first two days of the tournament and went to 4-0. We suffered our first loss of the year to Westfield State in extra innings, 7-5. Tough loss for us. We carried a 1-run lead into the bottom of the 7th, but just weren't able to seal the deal. We rebounded in the second half of our doubleheader and beat Wesleyan by a score of 9-5.
For the rest of the trip we were a .500 team. We ended up going 4-4 through the final 8 games to bring us to 9-5 for the trip. We defeated Bethany College in extra innings 4-3, Frostburg State by a score of 6-3, Western Connecticut 9-0 in 5 innings, and D'Youville 8-1. Between each of those wins was a loss. We fell to Ithaca College in nine innings 12-5, Berry 5-2, Rhode Island College 2-0, and Keene State 3-1. We had chances to win in nearly all of our losses. Only once did we not play well as a team and that game was against RIC. We did not record a hit in the game and surrendered 2 unearned runs.
Overall it was a successful trip for our girls. We won 9 out of 14 games. We lost two games in extra innings. We had chances to win almost every game we played. Had a few breaks gone our way, we could have left Florida 11-3 or even 12-2. But we're a no excuses, no regrets team. We won't dwell on the past.
We start our SUNYAC schedule on Friday, April 2 at home against Potsdam. As is the case with all of our regular season SUNYAC games, it will be a double-header with the first game starting at 3:00pm. The following day we will be travelling to Union College to square off in another double-header. They will not be SUNYAC games, but will be just as important as they are regional games.
More updates to follow as more games are played. Stay tuned.
Plattsburgh Softball 2010
"No Regrets."
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
5 Days To Go!
NTC Softball Complex
Clermont, Florida
Clermont, Florida
Awesome practice this afternoon for our girls. A 10:30AM start wrapped up at approximately 1:30PM. We scrimmaged today inter-squad on the turf. It was great to get outside of the Field House and play ball in the open air on such a beautiful day. Our starters and non-starters played each other competitively and there were a lot of positives to take out of the day.
The coaching staff is very excited so see the girls taking some strides in the right direction. It seems that we're really heating up at the right time as we approach our Spring Break trip to Clermont, Florida for the Dot Richardson Tournament. This team is ready.
The coaches are challenging the girls to really give their all for these final few days of practice before we board the plane for Florida. Today's practice was great, but we really want to bust our butts and make every coming day better than the day before as we head toward our departure on Friday.
We've had countless practices, we've dealt with adversity, we've seen injuries/illness and fatigue. We've been challenged and we've answered the call. Time will tell with regards to how it all comes together. And that time is coming. We are leaving in 5 days and starting our season in 6 days. We're less than one week from lacing up our cleats and taking the field against New England College. It's almost put up or shut up time. We're ready.
Plattsburgh Softball 2010
"No Regrets."
The coaching staff is very excited so see the girls taking some strides in the right direction. It seems that we're really heating up at the right time as we approach our Spring Break trip to Clermont, Florida for the Dot Richardson Tournament. This team is ready.
The coaches are challenging the girls to really give their all for these final few days of practice before we board the plane for Florida. Today's practice was great, but we really want to bust our butts and make every coming day better than the day before as we head toward our departure on Friday.
We've had countless practices, we've dealt with adversity, we've seen injuries/illness and fatigue. We've been challenged and we've answered the call. Time will tell with regards to how it all comes together. And that time is coming. We are leaving in 5 days and starting our season in 6 days. We're less than one week from lacing up our cleats and taking the field against New England College. It's almost put up or shut up time. We're ready.
Plattsburgh Softball 2010
"No Regrets."
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Picture, Practices, and Music
By the time noontime rolled around last Saturday, February 6, another week of practice was in the books for the Cards. For the second straight week the girls were asked to be ready for a 6:00AM practice the morning after completing 7:00PM practice the night before. Just to quickly recap, this past week of practice featured an inter-squad scrimmage, team conditioning, a poignant reading of an inspirational story, hitting stations, infield/outfield drills with Coach Roberts and Coach Prudhomme, and pitching and catching scenario and drill work with Coach Zweig.
New this year, the coaching staff has encouraged the players to research music of their choice that could, in any way, apply to the team and our goals. The response has been great. So far, the coaches and players alike have brought in music and lyrics. We've listened to the selected songs after practice and discussed how they relate to us as a whole. Listed below are links to the songs we've selected thus far. There will be more music selections as the weeks progress.
"Brick by Brick" by Train http://www.lala.com/#search/brick%20by%20brick%20train
"We are Golden" by Mika http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iQSoTEmgmo
"My Time" by Fabolous http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X0Zhw_tbPo
"Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRgFeZa_I48
Last Saturday morning Julia Hada, Assistant Sports Information Director at Plattsburgh State, swung by the fieldhouse to take the 2010 team picture as well as individual "head shots." The team picture is posted on our official website --
http://web.plattsburgh.edu/athletics/cardathletics/softball/
Check out the website to see our new team picture as well as our updated roster and 2010 schedule!
That's all we have for you this time. Check back soon for further updates! Thanks for checking in. As always, we appreciate your interest in the program.
There are 33 days until our season opener against New England College! Each day we practice and each day we progress as players and as a team we strengthen our resolve and become a better overall unit. Good teams become great through hard work and determination. We're certainly working hard and our determination has yet to come into question. We must continue to believe in ourselves and continue to learn and strengthen our game as we strive to reach greatness.
Plattsburgh Softball 2010
"No Regrets."
New this year, the coaching staff has encouraged the players to research music of their choice that could, in any way, apply to the team and our goals. The response has been great. So far, the coaches and players alike have brought in music and lyrics. We've listened to the selected songs after practice and discussed how they relate to us as a whole. Listed below are links to the songs we've selected thus far. There will be more music selections as the weeks progress.
"Brick by Brick" by Train http://www.lala.com/#search/brick%20by%20brick%20train
"We are Golden" by Mika http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iQSoTEmgmo
"My Time" by Fabolous http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X0Zhw_tbPo
"Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRgFeZa_I48
Last Saturday morning Julia Hada, Assistant Sports Information Director at Plattsburgh State, swung by the fieldhouse to take the 2010 team picture as well as individual "head shots." The team picture is posted on our official website --
http://web.plattsburgh.edu/athletics/cardathletics/softball/
Check out the website to see our new team picture as well as our updated roster and 2010 schedule!
That's all we have for you this time. Check back soon for further updates! Thanks for checking in. As always, we appreciate your interest in the program.
There are 33 days until our season opener against New England College! Each day we practice and each day we progress as players and as a team we strengthen our resolve and become a better overall unit. Good teams become great through hard work and determination. We're certainly working hard and our determination has yet to come into question. We must continue to believe in ourselves and continue to learn and strengthen our game as we strive to reach greatness.
Plattsburgh Softball 2010
"No Regrets."
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Our First Week of Practices
Monday, January 25 marked the start of the Spring 2010 semester here at Plattsburgh State (welcome back!). More topically, however, last Monday was the starting point of the PSUC softball team's rigorous field house practice regimen.
Our practices and how we approach them/perform will be a key factor in our success as we approach the season. The girls are fully aware of this fact. Slacking will get you nowhere. You will get what you give in. This team as it stands has the potential to be great. It's at practice where we make that greatness a possibility. Perfect is impossible. No team in Division III softball will be perfect. It's simply an impossible and unattainable feat. However, we as a squad and as a cohesive unit can be great. We'll start by working our way up to the level of "very good." The coaching staff firmly believes that we're a good team right now. But "good" will not get you where you want to be. To achieve the kind of success we have in mind, we will have to be great. Of course greatness comes at a price. It's devoting yourself fully as a player to becoming great. It's busting your butt night in and night out at practice. It's giving everything you've got and somehow finding a way to top that effort the next day. It's hitting the gym in whatever spare time you might find. It's building close relationships with your teammates. It's believing in your coaches. It's a solid commitment that, simply put, you've got to be "all about." That's what makes good teams very good and what makes very good teams great. That's what wins games. You cannot get by on talent alone. You have to commit to every aspect of what greatness entails.
As a team, we've completed three full practices at the field house (7:00pm-9:30pm). The coaching staff has had the girls working on all aspects of the game of softball. We've worked on our hitting, of course. This includes live hitting off Coach Zweig, front toss in the batting cage, hitting off tees, bunting/slapping, and hitting live off our starting pitchers. The infield and outfield have been completing their drills as well. Assistant Coach Roberts has worked primarily with the infield. They've worked situational drills, fielding groundballs, base coverage scenarios, double plays, fielding bunts, and general strategy. The outfield, led by Coach Prudhomme, has seen shoe string catch drills, communication exercises, cut-off drills, and the five-point "star" drill. Finally, the catching unit has been working directly with their pitchers for the first few days of practice. They'll expect some technique analysis and drills from Coach Roberts in the coming practices.
The next Cardinal practice is scheduled for tonight -- Thursday, January 28 at 7:00pm in the field house. Being the fourth straight night of practice, we'll expect to start seeing soreness set in and likely some general fatigue. But perseverance is just another essential factor of what makes a good team great.
With every passing day and every practice completed find ourselves one step closer to our season opener on March 13. We've gotten better and better as a team with every passing night and this trend must continue if we hope to have a successful season.
We have 44 days until our season opener against New England College. Countless practices lie ahead. We've got 20+ girls, but 1 team and 1 goal. Where we go as a team will be determined by how we perform, how we perform is shaped by what we get out of practice; and practices just started three days ago. It's an exciting time of the year and our campaign has only just begun.
Thanks for checking in. More to follow.
Link to 2010 Plattsburgh State softball schedule: http://web.plattsburgh.edu/athletics/cardathletics/softball/schedule.php
Plattsburgh Softball 2010
"No Regrets."
Our practices and how we approach them/perform will be a key factor in our success as we approach the season. The girls are fully aware of this fact. Slacking will get you nowhere. You will get what you give in. This team as it stands has the potential to be great. It's at practice where we make that greatness a possibility. Perfect is impossible. No team in Division III softball will be perfect. It's simply an impossible and unattainable feat. However, we as a squad and as a cohesive unit can be great. We'll start by working our way up to the level of "very good." The coaching staff firmly believes that we're a good team right now. But "good" will not get you where you want to be. To achieve the kind of success we have in mind, we will have to be great. Of course greatness comes at a price. It's devoting yourself fully as a player to becoming great. It's busting your butt night in and night out at practice. It's giving everything you've got and somehow finding a way to top that effort the next day. It's hitting the gym in whatever spare time you might find. It's building close relationships with your teammates. It's believing in your coaches. It's a solid commitment that, simply put, you've got to be "all about." That's what makes good teams very good and what makes very good teams great. That's what wins games. You cannot get by on talent alone. You have to commit to every aspect of what greatness entails.
As a team, we've completed three full practices at the field house (7:00pm-9:30pm). The coaching staff has had the girls working on all aspects of the game of softball. We've worked on our hitting, of course. This includes live hitting off Coach Zweig, front toss in the batting cage, hitting off tees, bunting/slapping, and hitting live off our starting pitchers. The infield and outfield have been completing their drills as well. Assistant Coach Roberts has worked primarily with the infield. They've worked situational drills, fielding groundballs, base coverage scenarios, double plays, fielding bunts, and general strategy. The outfield, led by Coach Prudhomme, has seen shoe string catch drills, communication exercises, cut-off drills, and the five-point "star" drill. Finally, the catching unit has been working directly with their pitchers for the first few days of practice. They'll expect some technique analysis and drills from Coach Roberts in the coming practices.
The next Cardinal practice is scheduled for tonight -- Thursday, January 28 at 7:00pm in the field house. Being the fourth straight night of practice, we'll expect to start seeing soreness set in and likely some general fatigue. But perseverance is just another essential factor of what makes a good team great.
With every passing day and every practice completed find ourselves one step closer to our season opener on March 13. We've gotten better and better as a team with every passing night and this trend must continue if we hope to have a successful season.
We have 44 days until our season opener against New England College. Countless practices lie ahead. We've got 20+ girls, but 1 team and 1 goal. Where we go as a team will be determined by how we perform, how we perform is shaped by what we get out of practice; and practices just started three days ago. It's an exciting time of the year and our campaign has only just begun.
Thanks for checking in. More to follow.
Link to 2010 Plattsburgh State softball schedule: http://web.plattsburgh.edu/athletics/cardathletics/softball/schedule.php
Plattsburgh Softball 2010
"No Regrets."
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
An Off-Season In Review, And A Look Ahead
Happy New Year!
This entry marks the first of several 'blogs for the upcoming 2010 Cardinal Softball campaign. The coaching staff thanks you for your interest in the Plattsburgh State Softball program. We gladly welcome such support for our squad with open arms and much appreciation.
It's been an interesting and eventful off-season for the program. First and foremost, Plattsburgh's head softball coach for the past 10 seasons, Sean Cotter, is no longer at the helm. Cotter offered his resignation late last summer upon accepting an offer to become the head softball coach at The University of Massachusetts Lowell, a Division II institution. At UMass Lowell he'll take over the reins for Harry Sauter, who will remain on the staff as an assistant coach after serving 15 seasons as head coach. During his tenure as PSUC's head softball coach, Cotter brought the program to unprecedented heights including 10 consecutive SUNYAC Softball Tournament appearances, 2 SUNYAC Regular Season Championships, 1 SUNYAC Tournament Championship, 2 NCAA Division III Tournament appearances (including 1 Northeast Regional Championship and World Series berth in 2007 and 1 Regional Final appearance in 2006). With 254 career victories under his belt at PSUC, he departed as the winningest coach in the program's history. The returning players as well as the current coaching staff thank Sean Cotter for a decade of service and commitment to the program. We wish him nothing but the best.
With the departure of Cotter, the search began late in the summer of '09 for his replacement. Ultimately our Athletic Director Bruce Delventhal promoted former Cotter assistant Stephanie Zweig to the position of Interim Head Coach for the 2010 season. Zweig made her coaching debut last season with the Cards, serving primarily as the team's pitching coach. She, herself, is a former Cardinal standout and one of the all-time great Cardinals. Serving as a pitcher from 2004-2008, Zweig earned all-conference honors in recognition of her excellence in 2006, 2007, and 2008. She was honored as SUNYAC Pitcher of the Year in back-to-back seasons -- 2006 and 2007. She was also a leader of the Cardinal squads that reached the Northeast Regional Final in 2006 as well as The Division III Women's College World Series in 2007. An accomplished player with a year of coaching experience under her belt, Zweig takes over for Cotter and carries high expectations and enthusiasm into the 2010 season. She will be assisted by returning assistant coach Mark Roberts as well as newcomer Jamie Prudhomme. Prudhomme, a former Cardinal player under Cotter from 2002-2006, will primarily work with the outfielders of the team while Roberts will mainly assist the catching unit.
On the heels of a disappointing 2009 campaign, the Cardinal Softball program has seen some big changes and shake-ups. The leader of our program essentially since its beginnings is gone. Two of the best pitchers ever to grace "the circle" at Cardinal Park are now 2 years removed. Last season's staff ace is gone. We've had players come and go, some graduating and some leaving for other reasons. But even with all of these facts present, there has been an undeniable sense of optimism and excitement amongst players and coaches alike. There's a definite buzz around the program. We have new players, new assistants, and a "new sheriff in town" in Coach Zweig. There's a renewed faith and a new feel to this team that many returning players have admitted they did not feel throughout all of last season. A strong senior class in Amy Woo, Danielle Gjergji, Ashley Napear, Nicole McKee, and Nicole Pomponio will return to cap off their careers and hope to bring closure to their 4 years in style.
With preliminary Fall Semester practices behind them as well as a "Fall Ball" doubleheader with St. Michael's, the Cards will hold their first practice of the Spring Semester on Monday, January 25. Starting at 7:00pm on that date it's foot-on-the-gas and no looking back for the team. Fittingly, our team motto for the year is "No Regrets." We look forward to a productive couple of months as we near our season opener at the Dot Richardson Tournament in Clermont, Florida in March.
Thanks for stopping by. More to follow.
Plattsburgh Softball 2010
"No Regrets."
This entry marks the first of several 'blogs for the upcoming 2010 Cardinal Softball campaign. The coaching staff thanks you for your interest in the Plattsburgh State Softball program. We gladly welcome such support for our squad with open arms and much appreciation.
It's been an interesting and eventful off-season for the program. First and foremost, Plattsburgh's head softball coach for the past 10 seasons, Sean Cotter, is no longer at the helm. Cotter offered his resignation late last summer upon accepting an offer to become the head softball coach at The University of Massachusetts Lowell, a Division II institution. At UMass Lowell he'll take over the reins for Harry Sauter, who will remain on the staff as an assistant coach after serving 15 seasons as head coach. During his tenure as PSUC's head softball coach, Cotter brought the program to unprecedented heights including 10 consecutive SUNYAC Softball Tournament appearances, 2 SUNYAC Regular Season Championships, 1 SUNYAC Tournament Championship, 2 NCAA Division III Tournament appearances (including 1 Northeast Regional Championship and World Series berth in 2007 and 1 Regional Final appearance in 2006). With 254 career victories under his belt at PSUC, he departed as the winningest coach in the program's history. The returning players as well as the current coaching staff thank Sean Cotter for a decade of service and commitment to the program. We wish him nothing but the best.
With the departure of Cotter, the search began late in the summer of '09 for his replacement. Ultimately our Athletic Director Bruce Delventhal promoted former Cotter assistant Stephanie Zweig to the position of Interim Head Coach for the 2010 season. Zweig made her coaching debut last season with the Cards, serving primarily as the team's pitching coach. She, herself, is a former Cardinal standout and one of the all-time great Cardinals. Serving as a pitcher from 2004-2008, Zweig earned all-conference honors in recognition of her excellence in 2006, 2007, and 2008. She was honored as SUNYAC Pitcher of the Year in back-to-back seasons -- 2006 and 2007. She was also a leader of the Cardinal squads that reached the Northeast Regional Final in 2006 as well as The Division III Women's College World Series in 2007. An accomplished player with a year of coaching experience under her belt, Zweig takes over for Cotter and carries high expectations and enthusiasm into the 2010 season. She will be assisted by returning assistant coach Mark Roberts as well as newcomer Jamie Prudhomme. Prudhomme, a former Cardinal player under Cotter from 2002-2006, will primarily work with the outfielders of the team while Roberts will mainly assist the catching unit.
On the heels of a disappointing 2009 campaign, the Cardinal Softball program has seen some big changes and shake-ups. The leader of our program essentially since its beginnings is gone. Two of the best pitchers ever to grace "the circle" at Cardinal Park are now 2 years removed. Last season's staff ace is gone. We've had players come and go, some graduating and some leaving for other reasons. But even with all of these facts present, there has been an undeniable sense of optimism and excitement amongst players and coaches alike. There's a definite buzz around the program. We have new players, new assistants, and a "new sheriff in town" in Coach Zweig. There's a renewed faith and a new feel to this team that many returning players have admitted they did not feel throughout all of last season. A strong senior class in Amy Woo, Danielle Gjergji, Ashley Napear, Nicole McKee, and Nicole Pomponio will return to cap off their careers and hope to bring closure to their 4 years in style.
With preliminary Fall Semester practices behind them as well as a "Fall Ball" doubleheader with St. Michael's, the Cards will hold their first practice of the Spring Semester on Monday, January 25. Starting at 7:00pm on that date it's foot-on-the-gas and no looking back for the team. Fittingly, our team motto for the year is "No Regrets." We look forward to a productive couple of months as we near our season opener at the Dot Richardson Tournament in Clermont, Florida in March.
Thanks for stopping by. More to follow.
Plattsburgh Softball 2010
"No Regrets."
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