Sports
 

UH's first softball class, now seniors, prepares to lead Cougars to C-USA glory

By Bridget Brown
The Daily Cougar

In 2001, six players dug their cleats into the fresh soil of UH's new softball program. The wide-eyed freshmen planted the foundations of a squad that established its roots deep in the school and even deeper into the unity they share on and off the diamond. 

After four seasons of heart, sweat and friendship, the inaugural signing class -- Jamie Falco, Arelis Ferreris, Jenny Johnson, Lindsey Durham, Candis Turnbo and Melissa Lynch -- are entering their final season with a team of underdogs eager to win a national championship. 

"I feel like we have made all the necessary steps and taken all the bumps and bruises. We are on the right track," head coach Kyla Holas said. "In the first year we lost some games we shouldn't have, and we have had conference realignments. It's one of those learning processes and steps that you take along the way."

Coming off a 36-win season in 2003, UH was ranked third in the 2004 Conference USA preseason poll. Falco, catcher Ferreris, infielder Kristen Glowacz and infielder Jenilee Skender were recognized as members of the preseason All-C-USA first team. If the rankings are correct, South Florida and DePaul will be Houston's toughest competition.

"We should be No.1. We only lost one player and we gained two, so I think we're really strong," Skender said. "Naturally we want to be conference champs. We're just going to take one game at a time. Our main goal this year is to make it to the (College World Series)."

The players' naturally competitive nature, 

which sophomore pitcher Crystal Briscoe pitcher characterized as "psycho-aggressive," will assist the team at bat this year and in ultimately winning C-USA. The "offensive-minded" team last year boasted 149 extra-base hits ? 59 of which came from homeruns and 79 from doubles.

Skender hit six home runs, and finished 2003 with a .504 slugging percentage and the third-highest batting average on the team (.333). A First-Team All C-USA player in 2003, Ferreris led the team in home runs (18) and RBI (74). Glowacz, a fellow first-teamer, was the team's most consistent offensive player in 2003 with a batting average of.364.

"I think you can always expect big things from Kristen Glowacz. Arelis Ferreris has been a leader on an off the field and is always very consistent," Holas said. "We had a motto last year, that is ‘offense wins games and defense wins championships.' We are definitely offensive-minded, but we put effort toward our defense to make sure it all happens smoothly."

Backed by Glowacz and 2003 C-USA All Freshman performer Jaci Gonzalez, and with the return of junior Michelle Keith at first base, the Cougar infield looks to have its strongest year since the program began. Johnson should do some "surprising things on the mound this season," Holas said. 

UH's outfield will stay intact from last season with Turnbo, Durham, sophomore Brooke Johnson and sophomore Brandi Clark all rotating positions, along with junior captain Kim Nesloney.

"We need to have a mental toughness in defense. The defense needs confidence. I would put money that our outfield is one of the best in the country. The infield needs the confidence too," Ferreris said.

The Cougars know the importance of fan support to the team's success.

"It's terrible when other schools come here and they bring more fans with them than we have at our own games. We need more school pride," Briscoe said. "We definitely need some fans. I think it helps and pumps us up. It makes the game so much more intense."

The team opens the 2004 home schedule with the Hilton Plaza Invitational this weekend at the Cougar Softball Complex. The first game is 5 p.m. Friday against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

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