Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / April 23, 1998, edition 1 / Page 20
Part of Elon University Student Newspaper / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Page 20 April 23,1998 Elon softball ends season in recordbooks Troy Adams Pendulum Reporter An exciting season has come to a close but not without some changes in the record books. This year’sFightin’ Christians softball team added their name to the record books four times, while seniors Jill Bodino, Cheryl Denny and Theresa Schifano added theirs’ as well. “If any team was to do it, it would be this team,” junior short? stop Kelly Lloyd said. The team broke records for strikeouts per seven innings (7.08) and no-hit games pitched (4). The team tied records for most wins (37) and most consecutive games won (9). “I’m proud to say I’m a part of this team because it’s one of the best teams I’ve ever played on,” Lloyd said. Jill Bodino has been a catalyst the past four years and now she has something to show for it. She broke the record for most games played with 189. The record was held by her former teammate Dana Wascak, who set it last year with 188. “She’s a great leader,” Schifano said. “She plays sick and she’s even tried to play through a concussion.” “She’s the only senior I’ve played with every game on the field.” The dynamic duo of senior pitchers Cheryl Denny and Theresa Schifano couldn’t go out empty handed — they took three records with them. Denny set records for strikeouts per seven innings (9.13) and for most strikeouts in a game (15 vs. Pace University on 3/13). Schifano set the record for lowest ERA in a career with 1.68. “We both feed off each other and support each other,” Schifano said. “I’m honored to be recognized, but it’s not something I’ve concen trated on. I’mjustgladlgottoplay for the college.” Going into the final game gf the season against UNC-Charlotte, the team had the opportunity to Jenny Jarneke/ The Pendulum Senior Teresa Schifano pitching against NC A&T break records for most wins, best win/loss percentage and lowest team ERA also, but a loss in the first game ended those hopes. “Not winning the first game was a big disappointment,” Schifano said. “Even though we were disap pointed, we knew we could still go out with a win,” Lloyd said. “We hadn’t been swept by any team all season, so that was motiva tion also.” In the first game, Elon jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after two innings. Heading into the bottom of the sixth they were up 5-1, but gave up five runs in that inning. The team couldn’t score in the top of the sev enth and lost the game 5-6. Evie Benson and Jill Bodino each went 2-3, combining for three RBIs in the losing effort. The team showed considerable heart fighting back to win the second game 8-7 in extra innings. “The game went back and forth,” Schifano said. “It was a great atmo sphere.” Denny had a rough start, getting shelled for seven runs on 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings. Krueger came on in relief with only one out, but finished the game allowing no runs and only one hit to earn the win. “I was a little more nervous in that situation,” Krueger said. “I re ally like that kind of pressure though.” “We knew how bad the seniors wanted that game,” sophomore cen ter fielder Jen Warren said. “We wanted them to go out winners.” They may not have achieved as many records as they wanted to, but they went out in style. They won their final game on the road and they swept their final games at home against North Carolina A&T. On April 15, Senior Day, the team swept A&T 7-2 and 7-1. Elon mixed it up in the first game as Rutt and Denny played out field and Krueger caught for fel low pitcher Schifano. Schifano threw eight strikeouts in the win and went 1- 4 at the plate. Krueger went 1-1 and scored a run. Lloyd, Kendrick and Briel each went 2-2, combining for three RBIs and four runs scored. “I had a great time,” Schifano said. “It was fun. I got to do something I’ve never done be fore.” The fun didn’t stop in the second game. After an emotional ceremony honoring the seniors, Elon jumped ahead 1-0 on a Lloyd single and Kendrick RBI. The Aggies tied it up in the third in ning, but Elon responded with five runs in the bottom of the fourth and another in the sixth for good measures. Rutt got the start in this game, as Schifano and Denny played outfield. Krueger came on in re lief of Rutt to begin the fourth inning, striking out seven in four innings to earn the win. Rutt and Krueger combined to throw a three-hitter, Emily Hall went 3-3, Lloyd 3-4 with two RBIs and Krueger 1- 2 with two RBIs. “It was a great way to end our home games,” Schifano said. “The team supported us in our ‘new’ positions.” “The only disappointment was not having coach there, it be ing her last home game.” Leonard was unable to at tend the game because her hus band was ill. Coach Leonard will be coaching only volleyball next year. Krueger finished the season 10-5-2 with a .72 ERA, only .04 above the record. Denny and Schifano finished 14-2 and 12-3-1 respectively. Rutt was the lone perfect starter at 1 -0 with one save. The combined ERA of the four was 1.22, .07 off the record. On offense, Kendrick led the way, batting .392 and leading the team in hits with 47. Lloyd fin ished strong at .373 and led the team in slugging percentage at .518. Evie Benson led the team with 22 RBIs, one better than Kendrick and Lloyd. Had this team been able to play all their games that were can celed for weather or other reasons, it is safe to assume more records would have been broken. “It’s too bad we lost eight games because of rain,” Warren said. “ We could have had it. I think we could have had 40 wins.” The team will return a very strong nucleins next year, including Lloyd, who currently possesses five of her own records. She has not struck out all season, which ranks her in the NCAA Division II Top 25 in that category. The loss of these four seniors , one of the best classes to play at Elon, will be felt by all though, “They keep the team together,” Krueger said, “It’s going to be a big hole to fill.” Those aren’t the only holes the team will be looking to fill, as the record riiay once again be rewritten. , Jenny Jarneke/ The Pendulum Emily Hall gets a hit against NC A&T Elon Athletics... What to watch for? Baseball @ Home April 26 vs. Catawba College @ 2 p.m. Cheerleading layouts (including mascots) Where: Alumni Gym When: May 3 Time: 1:30 p.m.
Elon University Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
April 23, 1998, edition 1
20
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75