Collegian May 1, 1986 Improved netmen gain third win by Andy Seneta Collegian Staff Writer The men's varsity tennis team has shown signs of definite im provement on last year's record by already claiming three wins against Thiel College, Malone College, and Geneva College, while losing five. Coach Walbridge gives credit for his teams' success to their overall improved team depth and to their attitudes toward the game. Walbridge was quick to point out that Behrend is a non scholarship school and that most of the Cub's opponents give fun ding to their athletes. This allows most schools a better chance of drawing in the best players of their area. When asked how this year's team matches up against last year's the Behrend coach noted, "We're a lot better, we have our number one player from last season at the number two slot. And our number two player from last season is playing at the number four spot this year. So we're obviously a lot stronger than last year." Coach Walbridge gave a breif Troubles continue for young women's softball squad Lori McClellan, lady . Cub pitcher, dispi during a recent encounter with Gannon. summary of several who have contributed to the team's gradual improvement. On Mike Vesl. Raj Jolly, tied for the most singles wins with four, battles from behind the baseline while facing a Westminster opponent. de. it_ tays fast pitch form his number one player he said, "Mike has played pretty well this He's had it roi I. - but by Robert Roth Collegian Sports Editor Weather has also wreaked havoc with the womens' softball schedule forcing the cancellation of games against Geneva and Allegheny. Last Saturday's scheduled match-up against Point Park College was forfeited by the which added two wins to the ladies' previous 1-7 record. Coach Wilson remarked, "the Point Park thing was a bit of a disappointment as the girls were all ready to go and the weather was good but they didn't have the players." Among the problems the women are having producing runs is also the fact that they have been averaging three errors a game which as Wilson points out, "are usually costly, but we're so young that when kids get on base we tend to get rattled rather easily. The offense has also been hav ing problems as the coach related, "the thing that I'm most disap pointed in is our hitting—l know the kids are disappointed, but were just not hitting the way we should be, the -way I know we can because we do it in practice--but it will have to come through game experience." A trend was also touched on, "the first game, the first inning, when the girls are in the field is usually a rough one, we have trou ble getting the outs and they just sports 11 he plays the best competition in the league, and that's pretty good for a freshman." have lots of trouble," related Wilson. Some of the ladies have begun to come around in the hitting department as Sue Walchack has raised her mark to .313 and Rose Gelletta is up to .323. But Wilson noted, a lot of the kids who need to be hitting are not coming through when we need them." Pitching has been fairly consis tent this year as Lori McClellan and Rose Zuccolotto have been keeping the walks down to about 2 or three a game. "Also Sue Holmes the catcher has been do- NEW at the Gorge Pizza Shop! * Hot or Mild Wings * 10for 1.50 with Veggies & Dip * Soft Shell Tacos * 2 / 1 .35 * Nachos & Cheese * 1.00 "Mike McMullen is in our number two spot. He's our team captain; he's a very strong player with strong volleys. At number three we have Roj Jolly who owns our best record with 4 wins. He and Mike have added a lot to our team this year." "At number four we count on Tim Lee. He is a fine player, but he's shown consistency problems, though he is steadily improving. We also have good players in our number 5 and 6 spots. At number 5 Rob Roth is a winner, he has a way of winning as he guts out all of his matches." Roth is tied with Jolly for most victories (4). Walbridge depends on Jolly and McMullen to pick up doubles wins. During the crucial match against Geneva last Thursday it was the play of this duo which preserved the victory in a tense 5-4 Cub win, "we're definitely stronger in the doubles than in our singles, man for man," Walbridge noted. Walbridge also related, "I've been happy, we've had a pretty good year. I think my only goal for next year at this point is to break .500." ing a good job with them and she's also thrown out a few run ners and has been hitting pretty well too." The team aspects of the sport are important too, "if the pit cher's pitching well then it's easier for the fielders and vice versa, and we haven't got it all together yet." Again though the youth of the team seems to be an obstacle, Coach Wilson asserted, "We have a good core and if we get a few more kids next year we could do really well. This year though it's been a nice group of kids, and they've worked hard."
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