EMORY, Va. (March 23, 2009) -- Emory & Henry softball coach Kristen Diamond is hoping six days without a competition will help her softball team recharge itself as it looks to snap a 10-game losing streak.
The challenge may be a steep one given the team's recent struggles and the strength of the competition in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, but Diamond says the team remains optimistic.
"I think one of the biggest things we have going for us right now is that we are not getting down. Yes, we are losing, but the team as a whole is staying positive and still working hard to improve during every practice and every game," Diamond said.
There are signs of improvement -- and reasons for optimism. Megan Evans, a junior pitcher has begun picking up her game. During her time on the mound Saturday against Lynchburg, she held the opponents to one run. "She is determined to get better every day," Diamond said.
The coach is also seeing general improvement on both offense and defense. "If we keep hitting and playing the 'D,' hopefully everything else will fall into place. We just have to keep our heads up and keep fighting."
Over the weekend, the Wasps lost in double headers to Lynchburg and Randolph colleges. As the four games progressed, the E&H scores improved, going from 0 to 3 against Lynchburg and then from 3 to 5 points in the double header against Randolph.
The team's next contest is a double-header against Eastern Mennonite Saturday, March 28.
"We have about a week off, so hopefully some of our weak points that we have had in the last couple of games will become our strong points in upcoming games," Diamond said.