By By Austin Bishop / EMG Regional Sports Director
May 14, 2002
There is not a lot of experience on the chartered bus that left Meridian Community College early this morning headed for the 2002 NJCAA National Women's Fast-Pitch Softball Tournament in Kissimmee, Fla.
And that's just fine with veteran MCC head coach Robert Eakins.
While Eakins' Lady Eagles, who won the District O Championship and a spot in the 16-team, double-elimination tournament with a win over Central Alabama on Saturday, only have four sophomores, he says they bring a key ingredient to the table.
The Lady Eagles were eliminated from the National Tournament in two straight games in 2000, and won two after losing the opener in 2001.
Eakins said he would like to see what his team could do if they could win their opener against Briarcliffe (N.Y.) College at 1 p.m. (CST) on Thursday.
Win or lose unless bad weather crops up all 16 teams will play twice on Thursday, so four teams will be gone before the first day is out.
The first-day losers' bracket games are set for 5 p.m. (CST), while the winners' bracket games are at 7 p.m. The championship game is set for Saturday.
Meridian Community College, which went 35-27 this season, has been playing fast-pitch for five seasons, and has reached the National Tournament three of those.