EMU Heads to the Golden State

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STIFF COMPETITION IN CALI: When the Eagles make the cross-country trek to California to escape the bitter cold of the Midwest, they will be welcomed by some of the best teams in the nation. In the latest ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Poll (released Feb. 19), two of EMU’s opponents are currently ranked, with another receiving votes in the poll. UCLA (8-2) is up to No. 5 in the country, with San Diego State (9-1) rounding out the poll at No. 25. Fresno State (5-1) received 38 votes in the weekly poll, only six nods away from being ranked.

For the Eagles, they have never defeated any of the teams that they will meet in California. Most of the competition will be new, as EMU is playing Cal-Riverside, James Madison, Saint Peter’s and San Diego for the first time. Fresno State and UCLA hold 1-0 advantages over the Eagles, as both teams defeated EMU at the Campbell/Cartier Tournament in San Diego during the 1998 season. The Aztecs defeated the Eagles 5-3 (Feb. 20) and the Bruins recorded a 3-0 decision (Feb. 21).

KARI CHAMBERS NAMED MAC PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Freshman Kari Chambers was named Mid-American Conference West Division Pitcher of the Week, Feb. 19, following the action at the Longwood Lead-Off Classic, Feb. 15-17. Chambers went 2-1 with a 0.86 ERA in the first collegiate action of her career.

She allowed only three hits, one run and fanned five batters en route to the 2-1 victory over Longwood. She picked up her second victory of the year, Feb. 16, when the Eagles defeated Bucknell University, 1-0. Chambers once again pitched a complete game, earning the first shut-out of her young career. She gave up five hits and struck out three to pick up the win for the Green and White. Chambers started the final game of the tournament against Pittsburgh, Feb. 17, giving up seven hits and two earned runs while striking out five batters.

FAMILIAR FACE TO EMU: When the Eagles play a double-header at Cal-Riverside, a familiar face will be in the dugout. Former Eastern Michigan coach Connie Miner is now the head coach of the Highlanders. Miner is the winningest coach in Eagle history, posting a 269-254-2 overall record during her nine-year run in Ypsilanti. She was named the Mideast Regional Coach of the Year following the 1988 season, after posting a 36-21 (21-11 MAC) campaign. She last coached EMU during the 1996 season. Since leaving the Great Lakes State, Miner has coached at San Jose State, North Carolina and now at UC-Riverside.

LEAP YEAR ACTION: The Eagles are making the most of the leap year, playing twice on the year’s extra day. The two games mark the first time since the 1992 season that the Green and White are in action on Feb. 29. This will be only the second time that EMU competes on the leap day, the Eagles are 0-2 on the day. The previous leap day action was Feb. 29, 1992, when the Eagles dropped two games to East Carolina, 1-2 and 1-4.

GOING HOME: When EMU heads to west for its spring trip, one Eagle will be right at home. Freshman Jaclyn Caro hails from the Golden State, having grown up in Chino, Calif. The Eagles will spend their trip in Southern California, right near Caro’s hometown. EMU will play games at San Diego State, San Diego, Fresno State and Cal-Riverside, traveling all around the southern tip of California.

FRESHMEN GROWING UP FAST: When the Eagles took the field for the first time in 2008, the lineup featured a few young faces who certainly did not act like freshmen. Stacie Skodinski began her collegiate career on a good note, hitting .400 (6-15) with a double and a triple while in Farmville, Va. for the Longwood Lead-Off Classic. Kari Chambers also made a splash during her debut weekend, going 2-1 on the mound with a microscopic 0.86 ERA. Pitcher Jaclyn Caro picked up her first victory when she came on in relief agasint Bucknell, giving up five hits and one earned run to lead the Eagles to victory. Caro also has the lone home run on the season for EMU.

DEFENDING OUR TURF: The 2008 Eastern Michigan University softball team looks to defend its Mid-American Conference West Division title and Tournament Championship this season. After capturing the first division title and tournament championship in school history, the team looks to a few familiar faces, as well as some newcomers to help "Defend our Turf."

EMU PICKED SECOND IN WEST: The Eagles were picked to finish second in the West Division by the MAC coaches in the annual preseason poll. Kent State was picked to repeat as East Division champion, as well as to win the 2008 Championship. On the West side, Central Michigan was picked to finish first, with WMU tabbed third, Ball State fourth, Northern Illinois fifth and Toledo sixth. Bowling Green was picked to finish runner-up again in the East Division and Miami was picked third. Ohio, Akron and Buffalo rounded out the East Division poll.

A SEASON OF FIRSTS: The 2007 season was one to remember for the EMU softball program. The team won its first West Division title in school history, as well as capturing its first MAC tournament championship. The Eagles also made the first post-season appearance in program history, traveling to Ann Arbor for the NCAA Regional. EMU’s season ended with losses to Michigan and Oregon State. On the individual level, Lauren Clark was named MAC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, the first time an Eagle has accomplished that feat. Head coach Karen Baird was named Coach of the Year, becoming the first EMU coach to earn the honor. EMU also finished five games above .500 (27-22), the highest since the 1999 season when the team went 31-26. The .551 winning percentage was the highest since the 1994 Eagles went 37-26 (.587).

On the other side of the coin, the Eagles dropped 11 of their first 12 games before regrouping to finish 27-22. The Green and White never lost more than three in a row following the rough start. EMU also rattled off winning streaks of six and eight games during the season.

FAMILIAR FACES: Even though EMU lost some important players to graduation, there will be plenty of experience left. Seniors Ashley Strauss, Jessica Grant and Lindsay Ritz all return to keep most of the infield in tact. Strauss was a second-team All-MAC performer last year, while Ritz was named to the All-Tournament team. Grant is a three-year starter at second base who gives the Eagles a strong defensive presence. Jenny Scherer will now be a permanent fixture in right field after splitting time between designated player and the outfield. Scherer was named First Team All-MAC, as well as to the All-MAC Freshman team after she led the Eagles with 11 home runs. Seniors Stephanie Sabo and Heather Giroux are back to patrol the outfield. Sabo is a valuable bunter, while Giroux uses her speed to get on base. Junior Heather Han returns behind the plate to give the young pitchers a calming presence. Sophomore Michelle Hletko is the only returning pitcher with game experience for the Green and White.

EAGLE NEWCOMERS: With the loss of seven seniors, the 2008 freshman class has some big shoes to fill. Stacie Skodinski will step into the starting lineup at shortstop, a spot left vacant with the graduation of two-time MAC Player of the Year Lauren Clark. Also with the departure of Michelle Lloyd and Aimee Woodrum, the Eagle rotation will rely heavily on freshmen. Jaclyn Caro and Kari Chambers will compete for a spot in the rotation. Lauren Delapaz will compete for time at third base and the designated player, while Brooke Carpenter will look for playing time at DP. Senior walk-on Nicole Prescott will give the Green and White some speed off the bench.

ROAD WARRIORS: Trying to play an outdoor sport in the Michigan spring weather presents quite a problem for the EMU softball team. After playing only eight home games last season, the Eagles are scheduled for 12 this season. The Green and White open up their season on the road, playing in three tournaments. The Eagles play their first 21 games on the road, before returning to Varsity Field to host Cleveland State in a doubleheader, March 25.

TO SERVE MY TEAM...AND COUNTRY: Senior walk-on Nicole Prescott will give the Eagles a much needed boost on the base path or wherever her team needs her. During her time at Eastern Michigan, Prescott has been a prominent cadet in the ROTC program. She is ranked in the top four percent in the country in ROTC, as well as being a member of Phi Epsilon Kappa, a physical education professional fraternity.

RECORDS IN SIGHT: A few Eagles are close to having their names etched forever in the record book. Senior Ashley Strauss has 26 doubles, which is only one away from being in the top 10 all-time. Strauss is also on pace to be in the career top-10 in fielding percentage, RBI and put-outs. Senior Stephanie Sabo has not committed an error since her freshman season, and is on pace to have the all-time greatest fielding percentage. Sophomore Jenny Scherer is well on her way to owning the all-time home run record after blasting 11 last season. After one season, she is already ranked eighth on the all-time list.

THE COACHING STAFF: Head Coach Karen Baird returns for her sixth season guiding the Eagles. Baird has a 195-234 career record over 11 seasons as a head coach, both at EMU and Abion. In her five years as the Eagles’ coach, Baird owns a 97-142 record, including a 50-58 MAC mark. Baird was the first coach at EMU to be named the MAC Coach of the Year, following the historic 2007 campaign. Assistant coach Jennifer Teague is back for her third year on the Eagle staff working with the pitchers and catchers. Assistant coach Eric Oakley was promoted from a volunteer assistant coach this past season. He will be working with the outfielders, as well as coaching base running and strength and conditioning.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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