In the Dugout: Seniors Look to Make Their Mark
1/25/2011 2:30:59 PM | Softball
It's no secret that Syracuse softball, the defending BIG EAST Champion, has come a long way in the past three years. Improving their record from 21-32 in 2008 to 32-26 in 2010, the squad can attribute much of its success to the class of 2011, a group of three hard working individuals looking to give everything they've got for their senior seasons.
“Well, the senior class this year was actually my first recruiting class, so obviously that's kind of a special class because it's the first one that you go out and search for,” head coach Leigh Ross said of third baseman Hallie Gibbs, left fielder Rachel Helman, and pitcher Angie Sagnelli.
“When they first came in as freshmen I remember telling them, I need you guys to realize that you're going to set the tone for the type of program that we're going to be, so we're going to make sure that I'm watching you a little bit closer than anybody else because you're going to be here for four years.”
All three of this year's seniors stuck through some tough times with the evolving Syracuse program in order to help make Coach Ross' vision a reality.
“It was very difficult with what they've been through because they've seen a lot of changes in the last four years,” Ross explained. “I think it's pretty neat for them to be on the really good side of those changes because it was very difficult at first.”
Although this year's three seniors are not feeling any added pressure to be leaders for their team, they have all enjoyed a great sense of responsibility to fulfill their individual roles.
“I believe that we set the bar and standard for what [Coach Ross] expects her players to act like. It feels nice to know I can help represent what my coach expects her players to play and act like,” said Helman, a native of Miami, Fla.
“I am a seasoned player looking forward to sharing and using my previous experience to help guide this team,” added Gibbs, the first and only player to date in program history to hit a home run in her first collegiate at bat. “My goal for the season is to make sure we are focused from the first to the last pitch every single game.”
Besides helping the team grow and flourish, this year's seniors have matured greatly since joining the Orange and will continue to carry certain things that they have learned with them long after their playing days are over.
“I have definitely become more selfless, as naturally occurs when on a college team … I now have a deep embedded sense of loyalty in me that has grown throughout my four years because I have 20 other sisters to look out for and have their back,” commented Helman, who studied abroad in London last semester.
I have become much more of a team player caring less about personal statistics and more about the team as a whole.” Gibbs said. “I have learned more than I could have ever imagined about softball. I'm proud to have played for the Syracuse Orange.”
While none of the seniors' plans for the immediate future include softball, they have all appreciated their time here and are sad to see it come to an end.
“I am not looking forward to senior year at all for the sole fact that I have to think about graduating and leaving my girls! I am going to miss them so much,” Helman explained.
Sagnelli, however, was able to help her fellow seniors find something positive about coming to the end of this chapter in athletic careers.
“I am especially looking forward to this season as a senior because it's the culmination of my collegiate softball career and my last chance to go out with a bang,” said the three-time BIG EAST All-Academic team honoree.
“My goal is to leave it all out on the field every game because it's my last chance to play competitive college ball.”
