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Thursday, January 31, 2002
Softball ready
to open the season with Arkansas and the Fun in the Sun Classic
 fter
the most successful season in FIU Softball history, what does
Head Coach Kim Gwydir do get her team ready? Of course,
have a tough opening slate.
"We have the toughest schedule in our history,"
said Gwydir. "Playing good competition gets us on the right
track. It will just make us better in the long run."
Gwydir will have to replace four starters from last season,
including ace pitcher Mila Nelson. Senior Vanessa Preston
is slated to get the start tonight against Arkansas at 6:00 p.m.
at University Park.
Sophomore Kendra Laminack and freshman Amanda Nealer
will also get starts this weekend at the Sun in the Fun Classic.
The lineup will see some changes, but All-Southeast Region
selection, sophomore Jennifer Owens, is back. Owens is
capable of playing almost any position and will see most of them
during the year.
"We have the luxury to move Jennifer from third base
to first and maybe even pitch," said Gwydir. "She will
bat fourth and again be the key to our lineup."
Junior shortstop Stephanie Wolter is again set for
lead off duties and senior right fielder Kelly Nicosia
will bat second.
Newcomer Nicole Dubovik, a Connecticut transfer, will
get the start in left field and bat third.
Senior catcher Sabrina Smith gets the call behind Owens
in the order.
After Smith, the order will see a mix of freshman and returnees,
including freshman Marleah Stapf and sophomore Kristen
Perry.
The Classic is slated to start this Friday, with the championship
game at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. The tournament will feature two
Southeastern Conference teams in Kentucky and Georgia.
FIU will open against Illinois State at 5:00 p.m. on Friday.
The complete classic schedule is below.
Friday, February 1
Noon: Georgia vs. Kentucky
2:30 p.m.: Kentucky at Illinois State
5:00 p.m.: FIU vs. Illinois State
7:30 p.m.: FIU vs. Georgia
Saturday, February 2
Noon: Illinois State vs. Georgia
2:30 p.m.: FIU vs. Kentucky
5:00 p.m.: Seed 1 vs. Seed 4
7:30 p.m.: Seed 2 vs. Seed 3
Sunday, February 3
10:30 a.m.: Consolation
1:00 p.m.: Championship |