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Sports

Cougars show optimism for ‘05 season

By Loudres Castillo
The Daily Cougar

The Cougars, picked No. 2 by Conference USA, looked forward to opening the new season facing some of the top ranked teams. They feel ready to take on the challenge with new faces, new captains and a new game.

"Texas is going to be a tough one; it will be pretty interesting for us, but I think that we still have a pretty good shot at C-USA," sophomore Carla Kennimer said. 

Leading the way are five seniors, including top player infielder Kristen Glowacz. A C-USA Hitter of the Week (May 10, 2004), 2004 All-C-USA First Team, and 2004 All-South Region Second Team, Glowacz will be a critical player for the Cougars this season. 

"Our biggest challenge will be all the ranked teams we'll be playing, but in order to be the best we have to beat the best," Glowacz said.

Junior Crystal Briscoe, possibly the No. 1 pitcher, has C-USA All-Tournament Team pitching honors, started 21 of 28 games played for the Cougars, finished No. 6 in C-USA for strike-outs with 134 and started in the Cougar's first NCAA Tournament game against Seton Hall. 

"I think that our strengths and what has been motivating us all along this season are that we are all really excited and we had a really good end of the season last year," Briscoe said.

In her first year as a Cougar, Kennimer had the sixth best ERA in C-USA, No. 1 in conference for fewest hits allowed and runs allowed and No. 2 in HR allowed. 

Recruited freshmen include outfield Courtney Spittler, shortstop Jennifer Walsh, catcher Christa Raley, pitcher Angel Shamblin, second base Dru Daniels and pitcher Barbie Love. All Cougars look forward adapting to their beginning college athletic career as part of a good team seeking its way up to being the best team.

"I feel that I'm in the right spot and the girls have really accepted me and encouraged me to be positive," Spittler said. "The expectations are high so I just plan on doing the best I can everyday in practice and the weight room."

Senior second base/DP Jeanie Davis, co-captain seniors first base Michelle Keith and outfielder Kim Nesloney, first base/catcher Jenilee Skender, shortstop/second base Jamie Adams, outfield Brandi Clark, shortstop Jaci Gonzalez, outfield Brooke Johnson, and catcher Lindsay Vanover will also be important players as the Cougars look forward a great 2005 season.
 

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