2008 Woodie Awards
Coach not worried about slow start for young softball players
Luke Nichols
Issue date: 2/20/08 Section: Sports
Don't panic.
That's Nebraska softball Coach Rhonda Revelle's message to Cornhusker fans worried about the teams first weekend of action in Tempe, Ariz. The Huskers played five games in three days this weekend and finished 1-4.
With freshmen dominating the lineup and trying to gain experience, the Huskers failed to hit their stride. Revelle's philosophy is much the same as it was before the tournament.
"We're on a road to being a better team when conference comes around," Revelle said.
With the Big 12 Conference schedule a month away, NU has plenty of time to right the ship.
The Huskers hope to get a big boost when junior pitcher - and ace of the staff - Molly Hill returns to the team possibly as early as this Sunday. Hill has been sidelined because of a meniscus injury in her knee.
Revelle said last weekend was about learning, and it all starts with pitching. The Huskers gave up 33 runs in the five games combined. Revelle used NU freshman pitcher Tori Tyson as an example of someone who went through some difficult times but improved as the weekend went along.
In her second career start, Tyson had to face nationally-ranked Arizona State, and she gave up nine runs in four innings.
Revelle said locating pitches is key, and Tyson learned when you face a good team, "If you leave the ball on the plate, it's going to get hit. But, if you leave it off the plate, you'll be giving free passes."
Revelle said Tyson settled down the following day and pitched a much better game, despite walking a few more batters than the NU coach wanted .
The Husker offense showed some ups and downs as well. NU was able to scratch together five runs against Idaho State and six runs against Northwestern, but they were blanked against Arizona State and only mustered one run against California. Arizona State's pitcher struck out 12 of the 15 Huskers that came to the plate on Saturday. NU junior first baseman Crystal Carwile said the left-handed ASU pitcher was tough, but someone they'd be able to hit once they get some more games under their belt.
"She's a great pitcher," Carwile said. "She has some really great movement and was moving the ball pretty well. We haven't seen much pitching like that so far, but I think if you give it to us in a couple of weeks, we'd be ready for it."
Revelle said she isn't worried about the Husker offense. She said being outside for the first time this season and having to face top-notch pitching is a tough combination to deal with.
Revelle said the past few years, the Huskers have been able to get away with scoring two runs a game and still winning because of great pitching. The NU coach said she expects more runs this year.
"Even when our pitchers do hit their stride, we still need to be more offensive minded," Revelle said. "I think - actually I know - we're going to be a better offensive team than last year."
Revelle said there were some things she was pleased with such as the defensive play and how the Huskers bounced back on Sunday and played well after having a rough Saturday.
Nebraska's next action will be in the Cardinal Classic on Friday through Sunday in Louisville, Ky.
Revelle refuses to say that 2008 is a rebuilding year for the Huskers.
"I feel like we're better," Revelle said. "By the end of the year, this will be a really good softball team."
lukenichols@dailynebraskan.com
That's Nebraska softball Coach Rhonda Revelle's message to Cornhusker fans worried about the teams first weekend of action in Tempe, Ariz. The Huskers played five games in three days this weekend and finished 1-4.
With freshmen dominating the lineup and trying to gain experience, the Huskers failed to hit their stride. Revelle's philosophy is much the same as it was before the tournament.
"We're on a road to being a better team when conference comes around," Revelle said.
With the Big 12 Conference schedule a month away, NU has plenty of time to right the ship.
The Huskers hope to get a big boost when junior pitcher - and ace of the staff - Molly Hill returns to the team possibly as early as this Sunday. Hill has been sidelined because of a meniscus injury in her knee.
Revelle said last weekend was about learning, and it all starts with pitching. The Huskers gave up 33 runs in the five games combined. Revelle used NU freshman pitcher Tori Tyson as an example of someone who went through some difficult times but improved as the weekend went along.
In her second career start, Tyson had to face nationally-ranked Arizona State, and she gave up nine runs in four innings.
Revelle said locating pitches is key, and Tyson learned when you face a good team, "If you leave the ball on the plate, it's going to get hit. But, if you leave it off the plate, you'll be giving free passes."
Revelle said Tyson settled down the following day and pitched a much better game, despite walking a few more batters than the NU coach wanted .
The Husker offense showed some ups and downs as well. NU was able to scratch together five runs against Idaho State and six runs against Northwestern, but they were blanked against Arizona State and only mustered one run against California. Arizona State's pitcher struck out 12 of the 15 Huskers that came to the plate on Saturday. NU junior first baseman Crystal Carwile said the left-handed ASU pitcher was tough, but someone they'd be able to hit once they get some more games under their belt.
"She's a great pitcher," Carwile said. "She has some really great movement and was moving the ball pretty well. We haven't seen much pitching like that so far, but I think if you give it to us in a couple of weeks, we'd be ready for it."
Revelle said she isn't worried about the Husker offense. She said being outside for the first time this season and having to face top-notch pitching is a tough combination to deal with.
Revelle said the past few years, the Huskers have been able to get away with scoring two runs a game and still winning because of great pitching. The NU coach said she expects more runs this year.
"Even when our pitchers do hit their stride, we still need to be more offensive minded," Revelle said. "I think - actually I know - we're going to be a better offensive team than last year."
Revelle said there were some things she was pleased with such as the defensive play and how the Huskers bounced back on Sunday and played well after having a rough Saturday.
Nebraska's next action will be in the Cardinal Classic on Friday through Sunday in Louisville, Ky.
Revelle refuses to say that 2008 is a rebuilding year for the Huskers.
"I feel like we're better," Revelle said. "By the end of the year, this will be a really good softball team."
lukenichols@dailynebraskan.com
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