By Chandler Harris, Assistant Sports Editor
The softball team travels to Durant, Okla., on Friday to compete in the South Central Shootout. The team will play six games in three days in the largest NCAA Division II tournament in the nation.
“What we took away from the tournament last week is that the two losses were to nationally ranked opponents, and we were in both of those games,” head coach Chantiel Wilson said. “We took away that we are a good team, and we can win if we stay focused.”
The Wildcats will face additional nationally ranked opponents this week, as seven of the 15 teams were ranked in the 2009 NFCA Preseason Poll. The tournament also boasts three of the last eight NCAA Division II national champions.
“All of our opponents this weekend will be tough,” Wilson said.
The Wildcats play two games a day Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The team begins Friday by facing Washburn at 2 p.m., which ACU defeated 5-2 just two weeks ago at the St. Mary’s Tournament. ACU will then face Central Missouri at 4 p.m.; Central Missouri is currently No. 19 in the NFCA poll.
The Wildcats’ first game on Saturday will be against Nebraska-Omaha at noon. Nebraska was selected to win the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Conference, according to the preseason coaches’ poll. At 4 p.m., the Wildcats will play Fort Hayes State. Fort Hayes State is a good team that has played other Lone Star Conference teams well, Wilson said.
On Sunday, the team will play Pittsburg State at 10 a.m. and Newman at 4 p.m.
Wilson said she is glad to have the opportunity to take the team on the road for a big tournament.
“This is where a lot of the growth of a team happens,” Wilson said. “I told them that when you’re a female athlete playing a female sport, it’s not always the team with the most talent that wins, but rather the team that gets along with each other.”
Wilson said this weekend will allow the players to learn more about each other and how to get along with each other.
“You really get to know your teammates better during these long weekends,” Wilson said. “It also allows the coaches the opportunity to try different people at different positions throughout the weekend.”
Wilson said she expects catcher Jessica Shiery to continue to do well at the plate. Lately, opponents have been pitching around her, but those walks have often turned into runs. Wilson said she also expects pitcher Jacque Gregoire to continue the momentum she has built with her 4-1 record thus far.
