Student-Athlete Journal

Editor's Note: Senior All-American 3B Lisa Gentilella of the Sea Gull softball team is providing an online journal during the 2003 season. Her entries will be posted weekly.  

The past two weeks have brought us much success as a team. Our greatest accomplishment in my eyes is the fact that we are currently ranked number one in the nation defensively. We have managed to bounce back from a split with Mary Washington to win seven straight games and are rolling full steam ahead into this weekend’s conference tournament.

Just when you think you have some time to relax there is yet another hectic week filled with more must win games. Tuesday we host a DH against VA Wesleyan. We defeated them earlier in the season, yet I can positively say they will be much improved and ready for revenge. These are two big region games that can give us more breathing room in regards to getting into the regional tournament, while improving our chances o f possibly hosting. We must come out ready to play and jump on them early. We have had some difficulty letting teams stay in the game too long. I think we need to be more focused at the start because one of these days a lackluster early inning is going to cost us. It is important to be extremely physically and mentally ready for these two. They are definitely two make or break type games for the rest of our week.

On Wednesday, we travel to Washington College for a school rivalry, which is always nice to win, however despite efforts to stay focused on the present and take things one day at a time, I can’t help but slightly look ahead to this weekend’s conference tournament. I am ready, excited, and like the rest of the team want that title really bad. That is why wins early this week will also help because it will provide us with the momentum we need going into the tournament.

We are currently 28-3-1 and playing some great softball. Like all teams we still need to improve in certain areas, but we are hitting that peak at the perfect time and I am anxious to see how far it will take us. And it is this time of year I love. I love playing big games, with tons of fans, wonderful weather and determined girls. I love being on the team that everyone hates to play, yet would love to beat. I love being on the team that every opponent brings her best stuff at. We are the team that everyone wants to see lose, but never expects it could possibly happen. We are the team that everyone wants to knock off and I think each player strives from that (for lack of a better word) pressure. And we are the team that denies most opponents of fulfilling their dreams and goals because we play with an attitude, poise, and determination of a champion.  

It is this that has made us successful in the past and what will continue to bring us success in the future. Those who played in the program before us created a winning tradition and we push each other to continue that tradition each and every day. Stay focused this week, keep playing hard, and seven victories will be ours. GOOD LUCK LADIES!!!

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I think at this point we are hitting full stride and things are definitely falling into place. Currently we are ranked 8th in the country, dropping one spot after losing to Emory (#1) in the East Coast Challenge over spring break. We finished that weekend nearly perfect, with a 6-1 record.

Game one was against Averett, a team we previously defeated by the 10-run rule. We decided to make very interesting. We barely recovered from a 4-1 deficit to win by one in the eighth. Lacey came up big in relief, striking out the last two batters of the inning.

In game two, we faced regional rival Emory. I honestly thought we had it, but unfortunately it is difficult to win games when you don’t start hitting until the sixth and seventh innings. This loss did do a few things for us. It definitely proved we are not the invincible team that can turn the on/off switch whenever we want and still be victorious. It taught us recovery, how to stay positive, and the importance of teamwork as well.

Our bats caught fire in games three and four (Emory and Henry, and York). We received huge efforts from all members of the team both offensively and defensively. Great team wins.

Game five on Sunday marked a big day. We were able to successfully execute late in the game to defeat Marietta. For some reason this game seemed to be an emotional one. We were fierce, intense, and determined. I know I wanted to win so bad my stomach hurt. Two big stars in the game; the first to Kate Garland, who had the game winning hit in the top of the eighth to put us up by three.

The second and slightly more impressive was the play by Katie Mullinix in the bottom of the seventh. With a runner on second and third and one out she was remarkable on the mound. Facing the meat of the order, she struck out both batters to send us to extra innings. It was the first time all season she had that fiery look in her eyes that said “try to hit my best pitch.” At one point it sent goose bumps down my spine because I knew we were going to win, no questions about it. I think this presence is something everyone should try to find within themselves. There is nothing more reassuring than having teammates who play and act like they can’t be beat. She demonstrated this perfectly with one of the gutsiest performances I have seen.

Monday we swept a double header at Bridgewater, and this past Tuesday won twice at Catholic to remain undefeated in the conference. We have been getting solid production from one through nine and the other eight girls off of the bench.

Overall I am so pleased, yet can’t help but feel slightly disappointed about the Emory loss. It is just frustrating when a team has your number and you know you can beat them. Yes, they are a really great ball club, but so are we. We still need to find that small bit of attitude out there, but other than that, things are moving in the right direction.  

This weekend we have games against conference rival Mary Washington and region opponent Chowan. Two wins are a must on Saturday. I will not settle for anything less and I can only hope my intensity motivates everyone else. The conference is ours for the taking; we just need to play our game. I think we are so confident at this point in time that the only thing that might slow us down is overconfidence, but I will definitely take my chances. Let’s come away with four this weekend. Play hard, stay focused and have fun.

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“If You Are Not Tough Enough, Someone Else Is”

Well the streak is finally over. We played well at our home tournament. The first time in the four years I have been here we were able to not only win it, but also have a record above .500 at the infamous Wicomico Tournament. We finished with a perfect record of 4-0, with huge wins against regional opponents Moravian, Wilkes, Virginia Wesleyan, and Cabrini.

There was something different about the way we played this past weekend. We looked and acted like we were on a mission; a mission to win. Each time we stepped on the field it seemed as though everyone knew were going to win and each of us made sure no one thought losing was a possibility. I think it was the first time all season that our opponents feared us before a pitch was even thrown. We were able to do it all, execute offensively with powerful hitting and aggressive base running, plus play solid, routine defense, shutting out our opponents in all four games. This success continued on Sunday with another two victories over Bates College.

Throughout this past weekend many people were able to emerge from slow starts and we got a lot of production all through the line-up. It is also wonderful to see certain people step up big. Rosie (Aley) has been so clutch for us this year and her being on a roll has taken a lot of pressure off the meat of the order. She has really handled herself well and is definitely a true leader on this team. The girl has my vote for National Player of the Week.  Kimmy (Rementer) is also producing consistently and along with Rosie is leading the team with a very impressive .500 batting average.                

After a very slow offensive start, I have managed to slowly find myself getting out of my usual March slump. It felt good to be able to contribute not only on defense this weekend, but offensively as well. Surprisingly, although some may not even realize it, I have been able to deal with my struggles better. Definitely not perfect yet, but better. What makes it so much easier for me to let my faults go is the fact that I know someone else will pick me up. It is very rare that someone in our line-up is not producing above and beyond the call of duty, making my imperfections slip under the cracks unnoticed. I am just so happy that we are getting tallies in the “W” column.

Pitching has been consistent as usual. Katie (Mullinix), Lacey (Lister), and Kara (Shunk) are really dominating on the mound. It is hard to even think that defeat is possible with players like that in control of the game. They demonstrate such poise and domination it is sometimes freighting.

We are just rolling. The freshmen are playing like veterans and our veterans are playing like they have another four seasons left to their college careers.  This weekend we are heading to Salem, VA for another tournament. We will be playing seven games in four days. Big test for us, like all our games. We play Emory on Friday and a win against them will really help our national ranking and in-region winning percentage. We are also set to possibly meet up with Roanoke again on Saturday. We will conclude the trip with a double header against Bridgewater on Monday. It is an important weekend and a chance to see where we stand against some of the top teams in the nation. Stay mentally tough ladies!!!

There is only one word to describe our play this weekend against Gallaudet and Wesley…DOMINATION. In two days we managed to rack up four wins, four shutouts, a no-hitter, a perfect game, and several multiple hit performances.

Saturday we opened up with Gallaudet and I honestly thought that some of us, especially the freshman, would have some opening day jitters. I was definitely wrong on that prediction. We marched right out and scored about seven runs in the first inning and just kept going and going. It felt as though no matter where the ball was thrown we were somehow getting a bat on it. Same thing happened on Sunday. At one point in time I thought I might never see a ball put in play because Katie and Lacey were just overwhelming our opponents. I have never played in four games where the pitchers recorded that many strikeouts. They were nearly perfect three times and Katie was actually flawless in Sunday’s first half of the double header, with a little help from a remarkable over the shoulder catch from Leslie in centerfield and a nice grab up the middle from Kate.

Starting 4-0 is exactly the start we needed. I feel as though it not only sends a message to the rest of the teams out there, but also proves what most of us have been thinking all along: the fact that this team is something special. But similar to any undefeated team, there are occasionally some disadvantages. It is important for the upperclassman to lead by example, letting the newcomers know that things get tougher from here, definitely not easier. There is no time to let up and enjoy these wins anymore. We need to now move on to the next ones.

This weekend, that tough road begins. We have a huge game against powerhouse Roanoke, a very fundamentally sound and unbelievable team. It is really important that we come away with victories this weekend so that our in-region winning percentage stays high. In addition to Roanoke on Friday, we also face Averett, Ferrum, and Emory & Henry. We managed to beat these three teams last year and I am almost positive that they will bring their “A” game against us. We have to be ready.

As long as we stay focused on our game plans, execute both offensively and defensively, and stay together we should have no problem this weekend. Hopefully we can come away with four more wins this weekend. Great start everyone, keep up the good work!

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“To Achieve All That Is Possible, We Must Attempt The Impossible. To Be As Much As We Can Be, We Must Dream Of Being More.”

A number of changes have taken place since my last entry and most are not very pleasant. The latest and the greatest has been the untimely departure of left fielder Kareem Falcon. Kareem, who is a member of the US Army Reserve, received notice last week that she will be sent to serve our country in Iraq. Talk about a shock and also a huge reality check. I really had no idea how to react. Of course I was upset, we would be losing not only a large asset to our team, but also a friend. Yet still I had no idea what I say to her. Honestly nothing in my daily life seemed important anymore knowing that the girl standing across from me was about to leave everything she knows for a world of unknowns. It is frightening to think that while I am here enjoying my senior season she is out there fighting for her life and the lives of others. Talk about having guts. There is now a huge gap to fill, but everyone on the team seems to be stepping up to the challenge.

In addition to Kareem leaving we also found out the other day that sophomore Gretchen Karcesky is also out for the season with an ACL tear. Although Gretchen will be strongly missed on the field, it is at least comforting to know she will still be with us everyday helping Coach with the inner workings of the team. Her surgery is scheduled for the week of spring break and everyone is hoping for a speedy and successful recovery. Good Luck Gretchen. Get Well Soon!!!  

As sad as this may sound, I think that these two misfortunes will really add something to my game this year. Yes I will be competitive and want to win, but at the end of the day it is all just a game. When I began playing this sport 13 years ago that is exactly what it was…a game. Don’t get me wrong, I have fun and enjoy myself and have never thought of softball as a job, but I haven’t in a long time thought of it as just a game. With all that is going on around me, I feel, at this point in my life, it is time to change my views slightly. 

When I am between those lines I will be focused and thinking only about softball (as always), but when I leave that field after practice or a game, I am going to leave that attitude, that personality, the events that happened, all on the field. I am going to start appreciating the other aspects of my life that I once overlooked because my mind was clouded by things in my past that I couldn’t control. I am just grateful that I have the opportunity to step on the field everyday and do something I love with people I truly care about. I think combining this attitude with the competitive attitude I also possess will make me not only a better athlete, but also a better person.

On a happier and more positive note, Saturday we play Gallaudet in our home, conference, and season opener. Getting off to a good start is the key to success in my opinion. In addition to Saturday’s double-header, we also meet up with Wesley at home on Sunday. I think this team is ready and really anticipating the start of the season. Pre-season seems like it is lasting forever, especially since all the other spring sports are already played their first game. 

There are still a few positions to fill and I am anxious to see how the pieces will come together. Fundamentally we are looking very sound and each player is developing her own niche on the team. We seem to be improving and I think we are finally seeing for ourselves the potential this unit of athletes has. Confidence is the key to success and fearing nothing will only help us accomplish everything. Lets get off to a good start ladies. Good luck this weekend.

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  It is truly amazing how fast college goes by. I can remember as if it were yesterday, stepping onto a collegiate field. Having that feeling like I was on top of the world, untouchable, invincible, finally a college athlete. Yet two and a half weeks ago when I joined the rest of my teammates for the first week of practice the same feelings of excitement, anxiety, and anticipation existed, however for the first time in three years it seemed much more overwhelming. I can’t really explain why. Perhaps it is related to this being my last season or the fact that we are coming off a very impressive 2002, but anyway you look at we are one of the top teams to beat in the country and I am assuming that a little bit of pressure comes with that. I am not overly concerned with it because if any team can handle adversity and pressure it is this team. We have a strange way of thriving off things that normally push teams down. If anything, being the team that everyone wants to beat will just make us want it more. I think at times we hate losing more than we like winning and because of this, we accept nothing but the best from each other and ourselves.

The team returns eight of its nine starters from last year’s CAC championship, Mid-Atlantic Region champion, and World Series qualifying team. With only six newcomers aboard, the team found it very easy to come together. We are learning to listen, trust, and be team players everyday. Coaches and upperclassmen are doing a great job focusing on teamwork and the importance of staying in between the lines. We have to stay focused on Salisbury and not what the rest of our conference, our region, or what the nation is doing. Thus far all 18 players are doing just that. 

I can honestly say 15 days into the season that this is a remarkable team with talent coming from each position at all class levels. Not to sound too cliché but the only way we lose this season is if we beat ourselves. The talent is there, the right attitude is there, and the rest of the pieces continue to fall into place. This has the makings of being a record breaking season for the Gulls.

The weather has really plagued us all pre-season. Frozen outfields, flooded diamonds, and a recent blizzard have kept us inside for most of the month. When we have made it outside, tundra like temperatures have not been easy to handle. We have managed however not to get too discouraged, especially since the rest of our East Coast opponents are dealing with the same conditions, if not worse.

Technically, we are very sound. The defense looks sharp, pitching consistent, and the offensive attack continues to come around nicely. Every member of the team is really working hard and from my perspective the camaraderie is getting stronger and stronger. 

Time will tell our fate and I pray everyday that success will be in our future. Like any other senior from any sport to come before me, there is nothing I want more that to win and make the most of my last opportunity to be a part of such a special and unique experience. Luckily for me, I think this program is on track to make my dreams come true. Keep up the good work ladies. Only two weeks till opening day.

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