Softball Returns To The Field For Fall Ball

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Syracuse, N.Y. – Success in the spring begins with preparation in the fall – an ideal the Orange softball team has embraced as it takes to the field for practice Tuesday afternoon. The Orange laced up the cleats Monday for its first session of fall ball.

"The team has been doing a lot of work on its own before we even started," said head coach Leigh Ross. "It's really exciting to get them out here as a team and see what they can do.

"Yesterday's practice, the energy was just fantastic. The things we talk about as a team – hard work, positive attitude, hustle, encouraging your teammates – they come out and did such a great job yesterday. It was day one, but they all felt pretty excited and every day we need to come back with that same attitude."

Although SU's regular season does not begin for a few months, the Orange will be competing this weekend at Binghamton.

"Fall ball is just an opportunity for everybody to get in and get a little bit game experience," Ross said. "We don't have as many tournaments scheduled this fall because we knew we have a young team. We're working right now on hitting our fundamentals and working as much as we can outside. Once we're done with this weekend in Binghamton, we'll just be hammering the fundamentals."

A new comer to the 2007-08 squad is junior transfer Jamie Kelling (Davanport, Iowa), who is excited to be representing the Orange.

"It's great to be here and to be wearing the SU uniform," Kelling said. "We have a good thing going on the first couple of days. We have been working hard in the weight room and we are ready to go."

The optimism the team is very apparent as the team believes it can be a threat in the upcoming season.

"Our expectations are always high," said junior Lindsay Wasek (Newtown, Pa.). "We always want to go out and beat everybody. Our expectations are pretty much as high as they can be."

Syracuse University Athletics

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