The Gamecocks waited for three hours to get back onto the field of Sewell-Thomas Stadium to face host University of Alabama. While the Crimson Tide had their locker rooms to go into and relax, Jacksonville State waited and waited in the dugout, staring at the falling rain.
With the lights visible from anywhere on campus, the ding of aluminum bats ringing in the air and the girlsŐ chanting audible from across the field, it is obvious that Gamecock Softball is ready to begin their journey of the 2007 season. The Gamecocks finished last season 43-15 overall and 21-5 in the Ohio Valley Conference.
People typically believe that baseball is a sport only played in the spring. For many, however, as soon as one season ends, preparation for the next year begins. Putting in long hours to perfect what spectators view as an effortless talent is nothing new for JSU's number one starting pitcher, junior business major Donovan Hand.
Who starts 116 straight games, breaks the home run record, leads the Ohio Valley Conference in batting (.392), hits (74), doubles (21), walks (29), maintains a 4.0 for back-to-back semesters, and still finds time to hang out with friends and enjoy free time? That would be none other than senior outfielder, Daniela Pappano.
After taking a huge hit versus Eastern Illinois, Coach LaPlante had to regroup and get his team back on track. LaPlante had hoped the last possession games were out of sight, but Saturday, Feb. 3 was another chapter added to the final shot theme of the season.
Head Coach Becky Geyer has shown improvements throughout the season, but Saturday, Feb. 3 was a step back she was not expecting. "We've been playing much better than this," said Geyer. "They're a really good team, but we didn't step up across the board." Led by sophomore guard LaTonya McKinney's 14 points, the Gamecocks (7-17, 4-11 OVC) attempted to stay in contention with the Racers (14-7, 10-4 OVC).
If there was any indication to how many fans will be present for Friday's home opener, then the JSU softball team can expect a packed house thanks to their 2007 Fan Day. "We had a great turnout, and we look forward to this Friday's game," said softball head coach Jana McGinnis.
The Jacksonville State University Rifle team completed their regular season this past weekend with a win in the NCAA Sectionals Saturday afternoon. Shooting a smallbore score of 2304 and an Air Rifle score of 2348, giving them an aggragate of 4652, JSU topped OVC foe Murray State for the ninth time this season and the dominant Univeristy of Kentucky.
Many may have doubted, but the young ladies of Jacksonville State Softball continued to win in convincing fashion this past weekend as they swept the Hornets of Alabama State on Sunday afternoon. Head coach Jana McGinnis stated at fan day that the newcomers were going to have to make an impact immediately, and they did just that.
Another last possession game, another last possession win. Jacksonville State leaned on the starting five, and they proved why in the final 24 seconds of the game. Guard Nick Smith pulled a trey from the right corner but missed the shot. However, he was fouled by Eagles guard Amadi McKenzie, sending Smith to the charity stripe to shoot three shots.
Carmelo Anthony, Ron Artest, Kobe Bryant, Ricky Williams, Sammy Sosa. What do each of these sports figures have in common? Each of them is an all-star in their sport, and each one has done something either on the field or off to bring a negative light on them and their team.
Ok, so Ron Artest shouldn't have entered the stands in what is now known as the "Malice at the Palace," but some good punches came out of it (nice right, Stephen Jackson). And Sammy Sosa knew what was he was doing with the corked bat. As for Ricky Williams, his addiction can't be fixed inside or outside the United States.
Starting a game in a 9-0 hole is not the way to win, and missing the first six team shots is not adding to the winning cause. The Gamecocks learned the hard way en route to an 85-69 defeat against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles on Thursday, Feb. 8. After an Ashley Boykin 3-pointer, JSU found a way to get back in the game.