BIG RAPIDS - Kayle Stevenson has been on quite a journey since her prep days as a student-athlete at West Ottawa High School in Holland.
A crafty lefty pitcher by trade, Stevenson began her career at Hillsdale Col
lege before she transferred to her current softball home: Ferris State University. As is the case with any college athletics career, Stevenson has had her share of ups and downs. But, as she embarks on her final season of college softball, she is hopeful to end what she started on a high note marked by team success for head coach Keri Becker's softball squad in the face of a challenging schedule.
As snow falls outdoors, Stevenson and her teammates continue preparation for their spring softball campaign indoors inside the Ewigleben Sports Complex. Conditions are hardly ideal, but over the years the conditions have in many ways toughened up these Bulldogs and made them particularly hungry to take their game outdoors as weather permits. Even with the early challenges, Stevenson thinks practice has been positive to this point.
"Practice is going well so far," said Stevenson, who was 12-1 last season with a 0.91 earned run average and 60 strikeouts as part of a banner 2009 spring season that witnessed her named second-team All-GLIAC. "We've been indoors which is difficult and we've had a few injuries in the preseason, but players should be healthy and coming back soon so we will be at full strength pretty quickly."
Hopes are running high for this team in 2010.
This year, as a senior, leadership duties fall largely on the shoulders of experienced players like Stevenson - players who understand what it takes to be successful against top-notch Division II opposition. Stevenson expects to show her leadership by example, but she also can be vocal when she needs to and likely will as this season continues for the Bulldogs.
"It is definitely a challenge, but it's an exciting one. Having people that look up to you," said Stevenson, who played her freshman year (2006) at Hillsdale, transferred to Ferris, sat out in 2007 and resumed her playing career in 2008. "You have to be a good role model, work hard and practice hard. You hope that when people see that from you then they will do the same."
By nature, softball clearly is an outdoor sport. But, the necessity for teams from cold-weather regions to begin their seasons indoors is a test of patience, creative practicing and more.
"A little changes when we come inside," said Stevenson, who batted .269 last season with seven hits in 19 games. "We get more back to basics and a lot of repetition with grounders, hitting off tees and making sure everything is intact so we're ready to go when we finally get outdoors."
Ferris is scheduled to begin its season earlier than usual as it heads south for the Alabama-Huntsville Charger Chillout. The tournament is scheduled for Feb. 19-21 in Decatur, Ala. and is hosted by the University of North Alabama (one of the premier Division II programs in the nation). The Bulldogs are scheduled to face tough competition with games against North Alabama and regional rival Indianapolis (to name two).
Expect some fired-up Bulldogs the minute they can play outdoors.
"It will be awesome to get outside, finally," said Stevenson, who ranks 18th among FSU's career pitching leaders in strikeouts (104), 20th in appearances (35) and 21st in wins (15). "It takes a toll on you when you're inside because of this weather. But, we're really excited to go to Alabama and get a few games under our belt and see what we still need to work on and see a glimpse of what we can be this season."
The fall was a perfect opportunity for the veteran Bulldogs to get to know the new teammates a little better. While Ferris does have its share of experience returning, led by its senior class (Stevenson, Amanda Harrington, Rhea Flores and Rachel Wade) it also has a good-sized group of freshmen (Liz Hamming, Lainee Clay, Morgan Kramerich and Dana Bowler).
"Our underclassmen have come a long way since the fall," Stevenson said. "They've stepped into their roles and things are looking good."
A crafty lefty pitcher by trade, Stevenson began her career at Hillsdale Col
lege before she transferred to her current softball home: Ferris State University. As is the case with any college athletics career, Stevenson has had her share of ups and downs. But, as she embarks on her final season of college softball, she is hopeful to end what she started on a high note marked by team success for head coach Keri Becker's softball squad in the face of a challenging schedule.As snow falls outdoors, Stevenson and her teammates continue preparation for their spring softball campaign indoors inside the Ewigleben Sports Complex. Conditions are hardly ideal, but over the years the conditions have in many ways toughened up these Bulldogs and made them particularly hungry to take their game outdoors as weather permits. Even with the early challenges, Stevenson thinks practice has been positive to this point.
"Practice is going well so far," said Stevenson, who was 12-1 last season with a 0.91 earned run average and 60 strikeouts as part of a banner 2009 spring season that witnessed her named second-team All-GLIAC. "We've been indoors which is difficult and we've had a few injuries in the preseason, but players should be healthy and coming back soon so we will be at full strength pretty quickly."
Hopes are running high for this team in 2010.
This year, as a senior, leadership duties fall largely on the shoulders of experienced players like Stevenson - players who understand what it takes to be successful against top-notch Division II opposition. Stevenson expects to show her leadership by example, but she also can be vocal when she needs to and likely will as this season continues for the Bulldogs.
"It is definitely a challenge, but it's an exciting one. Having people that look up to you," said Stevenson, who played her freshman year (2006) at Hillsdale, transferred to Ferris, sat out in 2007 and resumed her playing career in 2008. "You have to be a good role model, work hard and practice hard. You hope that when people see that from you then they will do the same."
By nature, softball clearly is an outdoor sport. But, the necessity for teams from cold-weather regions to begin their seasons indoors is a test of patience, creative practicing and more.
"A little changes when we come inside," said Stevenson, who batted .269 last season with seven hits in 19 games. "We get more back to basics and a lot of repetition with grounders, hitting off tees and making sure everything is intact so we're ready to go when we finally get outdoors."
Ferris is scheduled to begin its season earlier than usual as it heads south for the Alabama-Huntsville Charger Chillout. The tournament is scheduled for Feb. 19-21 in Decatur, Ala. and is hosted by the University of North Alabama (one of the premier Division II programs in the nation). The Bulldogs are scheduled to face tough competition with games against North Alabama and regional rival Indianapolis (to name two).
Expect some fired-up Bulldogs the minute they can play outdoors.
"It will be awesome to get outside, finally," said Stevenson, who ranks 18th among FSU's career pitching leaders in strikeouts (104), 20th in appearances (35) and 21st in wins (15). "It takes a toll on you when you're inside because of this weather. But, we're really excited to go to Alabama and get a few games under our belt and see what we still need to work on and see a glimpse of what we can be this season."
The fall was a perfect opportunity for the veteran Bulldogs to get to know the new teammates a little better. While Ferris does have its share of experience returning, led by its senior class (Stevenson, Amanda Harrington, Rhea Flores and Rachel Wade) it also has a good-sized group of freshmen (Liz Hamming, Lainee Clay, Morgan Kramerich and Dana Bowler).
"Our underclassmen have come a long way since the fall," Stevenson said. "They've stepped into their roles and things are looking good."
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