Softball gears up for strong conference
play
Jeff Rickel / Reporter
The Elon softball team came up short in the 2006 Elon
Phoenix Classic last weekend, but is still confident about
conference play that begins at the end of March.
The Phoenix, who were predicted to finished fourth in the
Southern Conference, dropped to 10-4 Sunday when they lost
3-1 in the semifinals to the North Carolina A&T Aggies.
Phoenix head coach Patti Raduenz was not happy with her
team's play, but still thinks the team will step up
when conference play begins.
"If we continue to play like we did today, we won't
win a game," Raduenz said. "But I definitely
think if we play up to our ability we can win the
conference."
Raduenz thinks the team is well-balanced and that every
starter has the ability to make a difference on the
field. However, Raduenz thinks that her middle infield
provides the team with leadership and defense.
"Our middle infield of Tracey Dahlan at shortstop and
Paige Goss at second base is really important to us,"
Raduenz said. "They are leaders and batting one
and two, they get our team going."
Goss, a junior and captain, thinks the team is coming along
well and is also confident that the Phoenix will do well in
the conference.
"Our freshmen and transfers are adding a lot of depth
to our team," Goss said. "I think we'll
surprise some people and get some big wins in the
conference."
The Elon Phoenix Classic was the second tournament the
Phoenix hosted in the last two weeks. The Elon
Invitational was held Feb. 24-26, where the Phoenix finished
second.
Raduenz did not feel there was any difference in her
players' attitudes for home or away tournaments, but Goss
admitted that there were added pressures in home tournaments.
"Most of our families come to our tournaments when they
are at home," Goss said. "So there is a
little more pressure to do well in these tournaments."
The Phoenix begin conference play March 25 at
UNC-Greensboro.
Contact Jeff Rickel at pendulum@elon.edu or
278-7247.
| 
Matt
Gannon / Photo Editor