Armed with heated pitches and killer line drives, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College’s (SMWC) softball team is headed to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association’s (USCAA) 2012 National Softball Championships in Akron, Ohio’s Firestone Stadium on May 15-17.
“The softball team will be heading to nationals for the sixth consecutive year under Coach Rodgers,” said SMWC Athletic Director Deanna Bradley. “The team has made it to the championship title game the last 2 years, both times finishing runner-up.”
This year’s competition is fierce, including teams from Carlow University, Lindenwood University-Belleville, Spalding University, Briarcliffe College, St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn), Penn State University-Mont Alto and Penn State University-Beaver.
The challenge only further ignites the Pomeroy spirit. “This will make for great softball and SMWC is up to the challenge,” said infielder Elizabeth “Libby” Wright, an SMWC senior from Georgetown, Ind. “You can expect some great wins from our team!”
Pomeroy softball boasts three USCAA All-American athletes and a 26-20 overall record for the 2011-2012 season. “They have worked hard and long hours to qualify for this tournament,” said Coach Gary Rodgers. “I am very proud of our team and the progress we have made through the year.”
The Pomeroys have clocked several impressive wins this season. A recent 13-2 smashing against Principa University in St. Louis, Mo., closed out the regular season on a high that will carry the team all the way to Ohio.
“I’ve played softball my entire life and nationals is what it all comes down to,” said infielder Leah Miller, an SMWC senior from Jasper, Ind. “After so many years of playing ball, you don’t just play the game, you live it. Winning a national championship in my final season would be the cherry on top of my softball career!”
- Check out our coverage in the Terre Haute Tribune Star!