Newspapers / Chowan University Student Newspaper / June 1, 1995, edition 1 / Page 19
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On the Sfiorts Scene Women’s softball team sets new record with most victories By JACK GOLDBERG Sports Information Officer The Chowan Lady Braves put their name in the record book this year by becoming the all- time winingest team with 35 victories. The previous record of 34 was set in 1954 and had stood the test of time until 14 deter mined young ladies set the new standard. The Lady Braves began their season on a positive note, defeating NCAA Division II Norfolk State University. The two victories over the Spartans were the first for the Lady Braves on their field in their three-year association. After a third place showing in the Methodist Tournament with a 4-1 record, the Lady Braves stormed through the month of March posting a 14-0 slate. The Lady Braves defeated NCAA Division III opponents St. Joseph’s College, Shenandoah University, Bethany College, Salisbury State University, Meredith College, North Carohna Wesleyan and Averett College. In only their second year as a senior college, the Lady Braves were soon to find out just how they stacked up against the nation’s Division III best when they traveled to New Jersey to participate in the prestigious Montclair State and Kean College Tournament. The 12-team format featured six teams who were ranked among the top 10 teams in the nation in the NCAA pre-season poll. In the opening round, the Lady Braves shut out Ithaca College, 10-0. The Lady Bombers, ranked No. 3 in the Northern Region, fell victim to junior righthander Mandy McCain, who pitched a masterful three-hit shut-out. The duo of Meredith Davies and Jennifer Mongold supplied the power, collecting six of the Lady Braves’ 10 hits. Davies supplied all the runs McCain would need and blasted a two-run homer in the first inning. Freshman righthander Kelly Rothery got the call in the next match with the co-host of the tournament, Kean College. Rothery, who gave up only six hits, was victimized for four unearned runs, and Chowan dropped a tough 4-3 decision to the nation’s 15th ranked team. The Lady Braves then faced elimination from the tourney but came back in impressive fashion to defeat Bridgewater State College 10-4. The Lady Bears were rocked by a five-run uprising by Chowan in the fifth inning, high lighted by a massive three-run shot by Jennifer Mongold. Cindy Jo Rash picked up the win for the Lady Braves, scattering six hits to shut down Bridgewater who was ranked 10th in the nation and last season’s runner-up in the Division III national tournament. On the second day of the tourney, the Lady Braves faced the defending national champion and the No. 1 team in the nation, Trenton State University. In a game described as the best ever, Trenton State pushed across the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning to earn a 3-2 decision over an inspired group of Lady Braves. Trailing 2-0 after four innings, the Lady Braves used a walk to Mandy McCain, a hit by Kim Gracia, and a RBI double by Jennifer Murden to cut the deficit to 2-1. In the seventh Lady Braves set a new standard for excellence in women’s softball inning, Kim Hetherington led off with a double and scored on a RBI single by McCain. Trenton scored the winning run in their last at bat to claim the victory. McCain, who suffered her second defeat of the year, limited Trenton State to five hits and two earned runs. Fueled by their performance against the best in the nation, the Lady Braves won 15 of their final 20 games during the month of April. In setting a new standard for excellence in victories, the Lady Braves also shattered numerous team records. Junior Mandy McCain became the all-time winningest pitcher with 41 victories during her three years, and set a single season mark of 16 wins and only three losses. She also eclipsed the earned run average record she set a season ago with a 0.543 percentage. Newcomer Jennifer Mongold made her presence felt immediately and surpassed the old records in home runs with 12. She had 43 RBIs and slugged a .864 batting average. ii Transfer Cindy Jo Rash and freshman Kelly Rothery combined with McCain to form a formidable pitching trio. The threesome combined to set a new standard for pitching with a 1.07 earned run average. Billie Rae Pullen and Anita Gaskins became the first two seniors to wear the famed “blue and white” for all four years and were instrumental in the Lady Braves’ 100 wins over the period. With 12 returning lettermen and a solid freshman class recruited for the 1995-96 season, the Lady Braves will continue to build upon their success as they seek national prominence. Chowan softball seniors Anita Gaskins (second from left) and Billie Rae Pullen (second from right) were honored during a pre-game ceremony of their final home game with the Lady Braves. The duo, who won exactly 100 games over their four-year careers, are shown with their parents — Mr. and Mrs. Cicero Gaskins and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Pullen. —Photo by Cal Bryant 73 1994-95 Athletic Awards Women’s Basketball Most Outstanding Defensive Player Michelle Mitchell Most Improved Judy Wilkerson Most Valuable Player Heather Anderson Men’s Soccer Most Outstanding Attacker Aaron Fenn Most Outstanding Defender Sean McClafferty Coach’s Award Tim Hall Most Valuable Player Sean McClafferty Women’s Soccer Most Outstanding Attacker Karen Streetman Most Outstanding Defender Julie Coates Coach’s Award Shama Dunlow Most Valuable Player Julie Coates Cheerleading Most Spirited Jennifer Hill Most Improved Kimber Pulley Scholastic Award Heather Madren Most Valuable Player Lori Herring and Shipara Jones Baseball Batting Mark Murphy Golden Glove Jimmy Neuendorf Pitching John Breadmore Most Valuable Player Mark Murphy Men’s Basketball Most Outstanding Defensive Player Arthur Fitzhugh Coach’s Award Jere Croke Most Valuable Player Herman Jordan Most Improved Tyrone McCreary and Carlton Modlin Volleyball Coach’s Award Lorie Paratore Best Defensive Player Crystal Wilson Most Valuable Player Kim Kowalsky Most Improved Faith Amore Women’s Softball Offensive Award Jennifer Mongold Golden Glove Meredith Davies Pitching Mandy McCain Most Valuable Player Jennifer Murden Men’s Tennis Most Improved Player Thomas Kallam Most Valuable Player Chuck Allen Women’s Tennis Most Improved Dawn Worley Coach’s Award Melissa Marzicola Athletic Trainers Outstanding Sophomore Michael Tuck Outstanding Freshman Sergio Serrano Golf Most Valuable Player Jeremy Minor Football Most Outstanding Offensive Back Johnny Nowell Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Scott Bowles Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman Tyrone Jones Most Outstanding Linebacker Ray Henson Most Outstanding Receiver Brian Tynes Most Outstanding Defensive Back Myron Mathias Special Teams Award Eddie Giersbrook Male Athlete of the Year MARK MURPHY Female Athlete of the Year MANDY McCAIN CHOWAN TODAY, June 1995 — PAGE 19
Chowan University Student Newspaper
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June 1, 1995, edition 1
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