2008 Woodie Awards
Weekend looms large
Trinity softball needs one win at Hendrix in final series to secure top spot in Conference
Jessica Betancourt
Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: Sports
Trinity's quest for a No. 1 seed in the Conference Tournament hinges on this weekend's series against Hendrix College (Ark.). With current No. 2 Austin College's regular season completed, it's up to the Tigers to preserve the top place. Trinity can only afford to drop one game if it wants to remain in the top slot.
"[Hendrix] always has an exciting crowd," said Head Coach Nicole Smith. "It's a tough atmosphere to play in."
Trinity split the four-game series with Austin College last weekend, winning the first game of each day and losing the second.
"Their pitching in both games [we lost] was able to keep us off balance," Smith said.
The players could not identify a specific reason for the losses, especially when both games lost were the second half of a doubleheader.
"It's just stuff," said first baseman Christina Carni, sophomore. "There's no one factor, it's just a game."
This series marked the final home stand for third baseman Michelle Gossein, senior, who has appeared in 130 games for the Tigers and started 101. Her dedication to the team and love of the game has marked her four years at Trinity.
"Michelle plays a big role on the team," Carni said. "She's an obvious leader. We often refer to her as the team mom; she's always taking care of us. She's always been a key figure on the field. She has a strong bat and no matter what position she plays, she's good. She's just Michelle."
Gossein started her career at first and third base and moved to the outfield last season after injuries to other players forced a position change. This year, she returned to third base and has led the team in several batting statistics.
"I've been trying to enjoy every minute of the game and have fun with it," Gossein said.
Gossein will return to Trinity in the fall for the Masters in Accounting program but has used up her four years of athletic eligibility.
"I'll always be a supporter and a fan," Gossein said.
Smith, who played on the team from 1998-2001 under the surname Dickson, reminisced about her days as an athlete and the finality of playing that last game in front of a home crowd.
"It's one of those things that gets your adrenaline going, it's exciting," Smith said. "It's a feeling that stays with you for the rest of your life."
"[Hendrix] always has an exciting crowd," said Head Coach Nicole Smith. "It's a tough atmosphere to play in."
Trinity split the four-game series with Austin College last weekend, winning the first game of each day and losing the second.
"Their pitching in both games [we lost] was able to keep us off balance," Smith said.
The players could not identify a specific reason for the losses, especially when both games lost were the second half of a doubleheader.
"It's just stuff," said first baseman Christina Carni, sophomore. "There's no one factor, it's just a game."
This series marked the final home stand for third baseman Michelle Gossein, senior, who has appeared in 130 games for the Tigers and started 101. Her dedication to the team and love of the game has marked her four years at Trinity.
"Michelle plays a big role on the team," Carni said. "She's an obvious leader. We often refer to her as the team mom; she's always taking care of us. She's always been a key figure on the field. She has a strong bat and no matter what position she plays, she's good. She's just Michelle."
Gossein started her career at first and third base and moved to the outfield last season after injuries to other players forced a position change. This year, she returned to third base and has led the team in several batting statistics.
"I've been trying to enjoy every minute of the game and have fun with it," Gossein said.
Gossein will return to Trinity in the fall for the Masters in Accounting program but has used up her four years of athletic eligibility.
"I'll always be a supporter and a fan," Gossein said.
Smith, who played on the team from 1998-2001 under the surname Dickson, reminisced about her days as an athlete and the finality of playing that last game in front of a home crowd.
"It's one of those things that gets your adrenaline going, it's exciting," Smith said. "It's a feeling that stays with you for the rest of your life."
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