|
Valerie's Views: A
Few Moments to Remember . . . |
|
On March 17, I was very fortunate to break two CSUDH all-time softball records for most strikeouts and most wins in a career. Today, I learned that although we were eliminated from the Easton Tournament of Champions, I broke another record for strikeouts in a season and was named to the All-tournament team. Naturally, I was very excited to break the records and to see that all of the hard work and practice was paying off. But mostly, I was thankful for the people who surround me. There are a handful of factors that play into winning games and breaking records. My name may be all over the record books but the team’s name should be bigger than mine! Whenever I look at those records or someone brings them up, I will forever be grateful to my teammates and my coaches. Without seventeen, unique female athletes and an amazing coaching staff, no record would ever be broken. Not only has Coach Bob Todd helped the pitchers grow, but his attention to detail and knowledge of the game has tremendously sparked our offense as well. Our bats are now swung with confidence knowing that we are capable of hitting the inside of the ball. And everyone knows that defense is what wins ball games, and we have the best in conference. I have never once feared that our defense wouldn’t be able to make the play, and it is the best feeling in the world knowing that when you release the ball, it will be caught no matter where it is hit. Whether it’s Jenny Funk going full speed into the fence to catch a ball or Cindy Perry diving for a ball down the line, I encourage anyone to come and watch one of our defensive practices, it could quite possibly be more entertaining than the games! Natalie Greco earns my utmost respect and gratitude! Her eagerness to learn and positive attitude reminds me that I can accomplish anything. Without her knowledge behind the plate, the strikeouts, routine grounders, and fly balls would not be possible. The most important lesson that I have learned is that being successful does not require you to throw the ball harder or have better movement than everyone else. It requires mental shape rather than physical shape; staying within yourself, putting the ball in good spots, and thinking three pitches ahead of the batter is what makes a successful pitcher. Our team is successful because we believe in one another and we work hard on our individual weaknesses to make the team stronger. Oh yeah, and because we have the best batgirl in the world! No matter what award is given or whose name shows up in the paper, the name on the front of our jersey comes first! “TOGETHER we win, TOGETHER we lose, but always TOGETHER we’re better!” Go Toros! |
The Toros Online created and maintained by College Sports Online, Inc.