Page 10 Weather keeping Lady Lions inside Collegian File Photo Why I oughta...Heather Norder takes aim at an innocent ball at practice. Norder and the rest of the Lady Lions have been forced to practice inside due to friendly and predictable Erie Weather. by Nick Zulovich The lack of playing time might Sports Editor help the Lady Lions as they Rain, rain [and snow] go away. injuries that needed time to heal. Come back another day. This Shannon Angel and Julie Stocker rhyme is just what Head Coach both returned from Florida with Sharon Gregory and the rest of injured fingers. the Lady Lions Softball team is "It has helped our injures to thinking about. The team has heal up," said Gregory. not played since returning from "Angel is back, but still spring training in Florida on having a little difficulty March 10. throwing. Stocker is back to the Lack of games allow injuries to heal returned from Florida with some . ': . .*A4 .....- : N . .. ' \,#1 . ..' 'W, .:, :AIMONE : . 1 . V' ,.. ' :., ' .:. N' , ' ....,.:... 1 . T .....,...........,.R..:,„„„,„;.,. , , , , „ . ,A: 4 gp1 1 l PlAhiti*!tsi*otkiOtiWPSEißAditithilit§iteti:' Available: Sports best of her abilities, but she still has a lot of pain with a fractured finger on her glove hand." Stocker has made adjustments to her glove to try to accomadate her injured finger. "Missing a game is not an option," said Stocker. "Most of this team has played through pain, I am not going to be any different." Angel on the other hand, has been able to avoid the injury bug most of her career. She said "Its really frustrating [this season] since I never had to play through much pain before." Both Angel and Stocker are forced to tape fingers together in order play left field and right field respectively. Even though the roster consists of just 13 players, Gregory is confident that the lack of depth and the possibility of more injuries will not hinder the team from having a successful season. "[Depth] could be a problem, but I think we are quite versatile. If, by chance, we lose an outfielder, either one of my pitchers [Heather Norder and Beth Calhoun] can play out there. I think the team is very versatile with my options with the lineup even though we are low in numbers," explained Gregory. Gregory has no fear that only two starting pitchers are on the roster. In fact, Gregory might even prefer it that way. "It was advantageous to us to have two starters when we were in Florida. They both knew going in who had the starting assignment. I think it helped us to prepare better. They [Calhoun and Norder] know they have to get the job done. We played nine games in Florida and it worked out fine," stated Gregory. The mechanics of the game also allow for pitchers to be able to play more regularly. The underhanded pitch is not as stressful to the arm. "It is a lot more of a natural motion. There are no requirements as far as time needed 3 A , d C°ri/mu ,0 w kistu yo. or information call 898-6495. For ;,.: F".'"""'"' to rest between starts. There are improve on their 4-5 record some teams that have just one against Geneva next Tuesday here dominant pitcher who plays 80 at Behrend. Mother Nature will percent of their games," said be the final determinate on Gregory. whether or not the Lady Lions The Lady Lions have been able can take the field. to practice just twice outside on their own field. They hope to Photo by Brian Charnock/Collaglan Staff Watch the bouncing ball: Infielder Steph Roberts looks to smack a ground ball in a recent practice. The Lady Lions look to improve their 4-5 slate and start their northern schedule Tuesday, as Behrend will host Geneva. Thursday, March 21 , 1996 internships