AROUND the HORN with Allison McClain
AROUND the HORN with Allison McClain
Guten Tag fans! It's my usual Tuesday edition of Around the Horn. Welcome back!
It's been two weeks since we've played a game at home. Traveling can at times be fun, though other times, it definitely can be exhausting.
We met University of Arkansas for a single game last week at Sherwood Park in front of over 1,000 fans. The Centenary Alumni Chapter of Little Rock came out and supported our team, which was a nice surprise.
It was great to talk with past Centenary grads and meet the young girls who shared an interest in college softball. After the game, we set around and signed team photographs for the young players.
The next morning we flew out of Little Rock and headed to Detroit, where we would meet Oakland for a three game series. We ate our usual restaurant, bd's Mongolian Barbeque.
After sweeping our last two conference series against South Dakota State and IUPUI, we had high expectations to come to Oakland and take all three games from the Grizzlies.
Game one ended on a high note for us, taking a 4-1 win. We were able to execute with clutch hitting as well as dominate in the pitching circle.
Though with a good first win, game two didn't end in our favor. Inconsistency as a team at the plate was our downfall as we struggled to adjust quickly at the plate.
For us, it's again, all about the process. Yes, the end result didn't happen to go our way, but in this case, the process is what ultimately hurt us. We managed to hand Oakland that win.
Saturday's single game began with a tribute to Oakland's five seniors along with our three. Myself, Emerald, and Leslie were all reminded of the amazing experience we have had while playing the sport we love so much these past four years. I have to admit, I got a little emotional and it wasn't even our senior day.
Game three began and ended both with questionable calls and plays. As players of this game, we were reminded how hard it is to play a team at their home field as well play a team vying for a spot in the conference tournament just like we are.
Moving on past that series, we flew out Sunday morning and made it home early enough to enjoy a little break before classes started back up Monday.
Two more series remain for us, Southern Utah at home this weekend and North Dakota State, away next weekend. All six games are extremely important and we understand that playing hard and consistent is what we have to do to compete competitively in The Summit League tournament in a few weeks.
Before I leave you this week, I would like to introduce two more of my teammates. First up is a pitcher with a very competitive personality. She is dominant and will very confident...I bring to you...
Jessica Bock #22
Sophomore
Pitcher
Cabot, Arkansas
Jacksonville HS/BPCC
AM: Major/Minor?
JB: Elementary Education
AM: I find myself daydreaming about...
JB: Hot Guys!! lol ;)
AM: Favorite professional athlete of any sport?
JB: Kevin Garnett....Boston Celtics!!
AM: After a win, I...
JB: Thank GOD and call my pitching coach, which happens to be my mommy!!
AM: 3 words to describe yourself?
JB: Blunt, Outgoing, and Determined
AM: On road trips...
JB: I take two Dramamines and pass out!!
AM: Centenary softball...
JB: Our motto is sisters/family
AM: If I could sing a duet with any musician, it would be...
JB: Lil Wayne...loves him!!
AM: A food I can't live without...
JB: Twizzlers
AM: Favorite movie?
JB: A Walk to Remember
AM: No one knows, I...
JB: That I am very OCD and I absolutely HATE dirt!!
AM: Dream vacation...
JB: To go to Germany
AM: When I need to laugh the hardest, I turn to...
JB: My best friend Somer Dawn Grimes....she always knows what to say!! :)
AM: Favorite softball moment this season?
JB: Having my first no hitter as a D1 college athlete against IPFW on my birthday!!
AM: Favorite quote?
JB: "Pitchers are like poets they're born not made." �-Cy Young
And next up, an outfielder from Texas. She shares an outgoing personality and swings an aggressive bat.
Freshman
Outfield
The Woodlands, Texas
College Park HS
AM: Major/Minor?
KM: Business
AM: Favorite color?
KM: YELLOW!!!
AM: I am most happy when...
KM: I am playing softball and hanging out with the people that mean the most to me in my life.
AM: I never expected Centenary to be...
KM: so controversial and life changing.
AM: Life these days...
KM: is hard, but only the strong survive.
AM: If I could be sisters with anyone on the team, it would be...
KM: Lindsey because we fight like sisters, but I know that I can always depend on her when I need her the most.
AM: A place I hope to visit one day...
KM: is Fiji because I hate cold weather and anything tropical would be first on my list!
AM: A secret most people don't know about me...
KM: is that I can sew like a grandmother!
AM: I would definitely sing _______________ at karaoke night.
KM: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!
AM: Centenary softball...
KM: has been quite the experience. No regrets, just lessons learned.
