2008 Woodie Awards
Softball sizzles in doubleheader sweep of Bowie St.
By Brandon Fox
Rocket Sports Editor
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Sports
There is an old saying in sports: "Offense wins games, but defense wins championships."
Over the past few seasons, the Slippery Rock University softball team has won a lot of games, thanks in large part to their offensive prowess.
But they haven't won any championships.
This year however, Head Coach Vashion Johnson's squad is looking for a title, and if they are going to find it, they are doing it through defense.
"Our offense has gotten us to the door the past few years," Johnson said. "But this year people are going to see a different team. In the past we tried to beat people by 10 runs, but this year, you are going to see lower, more softball-like scores."
A quick glance at statistics for the Rock (12-2 overall) will show that it has been the offense that has been doing a lot of the damage, as the team has outscored its opponents 94-33 in 14 games.
But what that glance may not reveal is the Rock's 37 stolen bases in 47 attempts, putting them almost halfway to their 2007 total of 77.
"We are being more aggressive this year on the base paths," Johnson said. "You don't really see a lot of speed in the PSAC."
Last Thursday the Green & White split a double-header against Division I opponent Howard University (4-9), winning the first game 2-1 before being shut out in game two, 8-0.
Leading the way for the Rock was starting pitcher Lisa Getgen, who held the Bison to three hits and one earned run while going the distance.
Jessica Kortz had a hand in both runs for the Rock, smacking a solo home run in the third and drawing a bases-loaded walk in the sixth that snapped a 1-1 tie.
The solo blast was Kortz's fifth of the year, putting her one ahead of teammate Stacey Rhoades, who has four on the year.
Kortz, a sophomore, is currently tied for second in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in homers.
"It is good to have to people in the lineup that you know can step up and produce a hit when you need it," Johnson said. "They are my Manny (Ramirez) and Big Papi."
Over the past few seasons, the Slippery Rock University softball team has won a lot of games, thanks in large part to their offensive prowess.
But they haven't won any championships.
This year however, Head Coach Vashion Johnson's squad is looking for a title, and if they are going to find it, they are doing it through defense.
"Our offense has gotten us to the door the past few years," Johnson said. "But this year people are going to see a different team. In the past we tried to beat people by 10 runs, but this year, you are going to see lower, more softball-like scores."
A quick glance at statistics for the Rock (12-2 overall) will show that it has been the offense that has been doing a lot of the damage, as the team has outscored its opponents 94-33 in 14 games.
But what that glance may not reveal is the Rock's 37 stolen bases in 47 attempts, putting them almost halfway to their 2007 total of 77.
"We are being more aggressive this year on the base paths," Johnson said. "You don't really see a lot of speed in the PSAC."
Last Thursday the Green & White split a double-header against Division I opponent Howard University (4-9), winning the first game 2-1 before being shut out in game two, 8-0.
Leading the way for the Rock was starting pitcher Lisa Getgen, who held the Bison to three hits and one earned run while going the distance.
Jessica Kortz had a hand in both runs for the Rock, smacking a solo home run in the third and drawing a bases-loaded walk in the sixth that snapped a 1-1 tie.
The solo blast was Kortz's fifth of the year, putting her one ahead of teammate Stacey Rhoades, who has four on the year.
Kortz, a sophomore, is currently tied for second in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in homers.
"It is good to have to people in the lineup that you know can step up and produce a hit when you need it," Johnson said. "They are my Manny (Ramirez) and Big Papi."
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