Page 20 Softball by Joe Mott!llo Collegian Staff 0-ver-whelm verb transitive- to crush; to submerge; to overpower. This one word explains how the Lady Lions softball team took care of their opponents on their southern trip to Fort Pierre, Florida. "It's difficult to find a weakness," said Coach Paul Benim. The Lions ended their trip against Caldwell College of New Jersey. The first game of the twin-bill was won on the long-ball. Darcie Bradley's grand slam and Karen Strait's three-run shot was all the offense the Lions needed as they cruised to a 12-3 victory. Casey Putteman picked up the victory for the Lions as she went the distance. In the second game, Caldwell struck first. They led 2-0 in the second inning. The Lions tied the game in the sixth at 3-3. Julie Stocker scored the tying run when she hit a single, advanced on a sacrifice and later scored on an error. Sue Mazur's two-run shot in the seventh made the difference as the Lions went on to win 7- 3. Cherie Varrassa won her third game of the trip as she threw a six hitter. The Lions had a hard time in their first game against Edgewood College of Wisconsin. The Lions rallied Bradley by Hal D. Coffey Collegian Staff Webster's dictionary defines a student as one who studies; a pupil, a scholar; while an athlete is one who engages in exercises of physical agility and strength. Behrend's prime example of a combination of the terms is two sport star Darcie Bradley. From making a crucial shot on the basketball team to a decisive hit in softball, to keeping up a 3.5 GPA in the classroom, Bradley excels at whatever she does. This 1989 graduate of Benango Christian in Franklin, PA. chose Behrend over other schools for its academic reputation and to play under head coach Jenepher Banker (basketball). Since coming to Behrend, Bradley has been part of two of the best athletic teams in school history, both last year's basketball and softball teams. As a big contributing player on these two ECAC champion squads, she has seen the greatest of triumphs. Sports from behind three times and erupted for four runs in the ninth to defeat Edgewood 13-9 in extra innings. With the score tied at 9, Mazur led things off with a single. She then stole second and scored the eventual game winner on Tanya Cekovich's double. After singles by Megan Musante and Becky Reed, Bradley cleared the bases with a double. In the second game, Behrend rode Cherie Varassa's six-hitter as they defeated Edgewood, 9-1. Strait, Putteman and Terry Pegher each had two hits in the victory. The Lions opened the season against Swarthmore College of Pennsylvania. (Both games were close until they started). Behrend won 13-1 and 14-0. "Our hitting, baserunning and pitching is there everyn game," noted Benim. "Our strongest point has to be our defense." The Lions were ranked 6th in the nation last season with a .961 fielding percentage. In Florida, the Lions outscored their opponents 68-17 and outhit them .348 to .263. Their defense, as usual, was outstanding. In 220 chances, the Lions recorded 8 errors to field at a .963 clip. The Lions got outstanding hitting and leadership out of Darcie Bradley. She hit .450 with 3 doubles, a triple and homerun. From her leadoff spot in the order, she drove in 10 Excels Unfotunately, her last season on the basketball team ended rather abruptly in Philadelphia, where they lost an opening round game in the ECAC tournament. How difficult was it to swallow this tragic pill? "I just sat in the locker room with my unifrom on for a long while," commented Bradley. "It meant a lot to me." Even with their early exit from the ECAC's, Bradley was not disappointed with this year's team. "After the Buffalo ST loss which started a string of 3 losses, I could see that this was a building year," said Bradley, "this team is now ready for the next level." Without anytime to look back after the loss, Bradley was off to Florida with the softball team. She and the rest of the Lady Lions were definitely primed and ready as their 6-0 record shows. No one was hotter that Bradley as she hit .450 with 11 runs, 3 double, one triple, and a homerun. Add to this her 3 stolen bases and 11 RBl's and it's easy to see why she picked sizzles "Hey batter batter, schwing batter...": Third baseman Sue Mazur waits to crack another line drive. The women's softball team went 6-0 in Florida and travel to Virginia this weekend. runs and walked 4 times. Karen Strait led the Lions in RBl's (12) and triples (2), and Becky Reed hit .368 with three stolen bases to help the Lions put up some eye popping statistics. The Lions open up their northern swing this Friday in the Ferrum Tournament. The Arnel Balcita/CoNegian Photo Coo for Concentration: Senior point-guard Darcie Bradley, this week's Athlete of the Week, and Wendy Ebinger await instructions during a time out during a womens' varsity basketball game• up Athlete of the Week. As if those 6 wins in the Sunshine state were not enough, Bradley believes that they can win at least 30 of 40 games and ultimately an NCAA How Realistic an dope goals? According to Bradley, they are Thursday, March 25, 1993 Lions play Longwood College, Christopher-Newport and Averett in pool play. The Lions open up their home season on the third of April against St. John Fisher. If the Lions play the way they have so far, St. John Fisher won't, pardon the pun, Have a Prayer. very possible, "because we bring back a great infield, good backups, and even more speed that last year's championship squad." As for personal goals, see BRADLEY to per 19
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