Softball Team Looks to Take on the MAC
By Erika Puch, Kent State public relations student
The Kent State Golden Flashes are gearing up for a softball season of home runs on and off the field.
Softball Head Coach Karen Linder plans to lead her team to the Mid-American Conference Tournament. She also has high hopes that her senior Flashes can earn the title of Academic All-Americans.
Judging by the Flashes’ previous success both on the field and academically, Linder’s goals are not unreachable.
Last year the Flashes not only took home the title of MAC East Division Champions, but also had three players qualify for academic awards, taking them one step closer to becoming Academic All-Americans.
“We have a solid senior class,” Linder says. “They are very focused. Their confidence and desire to win motivates the rest of the team.”
Linder believes that building a strong team starts with recruiting.
“I recruit kids who want to strive for excellence and who are self-motivated,” she says. To help the team achieve victory, Linder uses several techniques.
“I try to add a level of competitiveness to practice. The girls really enjoy it,” she says. “We also set individual and team goals and use mental strategies to reach them.”
This year the team’s greatest strength lies in its powerful hitting and strong coaching staff, Linder says.
“We talk a lot about what it takes to be successful,” Linder explains.
The Flashes open their season in February at the Carolina Classic where they will compete against George Washington, North Carolina Central, East Carolina and North Carolina.
Visit the Kent State softball team’s Web site for more information and a game schedule.
|
