Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Thursday, April 10, 2008
Newcomers carry UW-L, Viterbo softball teams to split
Combine the stats of freshmen Betsy Ward and Rachel Weyer this season and you get a .441 batting average with 11 home runs and 50 RBI.
That adds up to a promising future for the Viterbo and UW-La Crosse softball team’s young standouts, who each led their team to a victory Wednesday in the Wells Fargo Diamond Cup at the Viterbo Outdoor Athletic Complex.
It was the fourth straight year that Viterbo and UW-L split their annual doubleheader.
Ward hit a grand slam in the first game to lead the V-Hawks to a 6-2 win. Weyer sparked the Eagles with a two-run homer in an 11-3 six-inning victory in the second game.
“Mainly, I came in looking for playing time and wanting to make a difference in any way I can,” said Ward, summing up her approach upon joining the team. Ward could have been speaking for Weyer, too.
Last spring, Viterbo went 10-33 while UW-L didn’t fare much better at 12-26. In response,
V-Hawks coach Ryan DeLong and Eagles coach Chris Helixon went out looking for recruits who could help immediately.
Enter Ward, a catcher/first baseman from River Falls, Wis., and Weyer, an outfielder from Loyal, Wis., who lead strong incoming classes. Viterbo (7-19) used five freshmen in its starting lineups Wednesday; UW-L (15-8) put in four.
Ward has been hitting well all season. She has started all 26 games and came out of the doubleheader batting .405 with four homers and 28 RBI.
“I guess I’m pleasantly surprised,” Ward said. “This is the best I’ve played in all my years. (It’s because of) my teammates. They bring out the best in everybody.”
Ward, who was named MCC Player of the Week on Tuesday, jolted her team to life early in the first game, turning on an inside fastball from Eagles starter Shelly Monahan and sending it high over the left field wall for a grand slam.
“I’m seeing better pitches and building my confidence,” Ward said. “And (DeLong) has been messing with my swing. In a good way.”
Said DeLong: “Betsy has made a good adjustment to the speed of the college game and she’s compacted her swing and is really hitting the ball well now. She’s also really tough behind the plate. She’s the complete package for us.”
V-Hawks starter Marissa Rathbun took care of the rest following Ward’s slam. The sophomore held the Eagles to six hits with two strikeouts and a walk.
Weyer and the UW-L offense came to life in the second game. With the Eagles holding a 1-0 lead, Weyer and senior Sarah Pfeifer each hit a two-run home run off Viterbo pitcher Jen Pintz in the third inning for a 5-0 lead.
UW-L has 26 homers in 23 games this season and has cruised past the previous school record of 18 homers (2001).
Weyer went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in the second game. She’s batting .471 with seven homers, 22 RBI and seven stolen bases in 23 games.
“I don’t get nervous anymore,” Weyer said of playing as a freshman. “I feel like even though I’m young, as the leadoff batter I’m one of the team’s leaders and I’m supposed to help keep a positive attitude.”
For Helixon, there was no hesitation in giving Weyer a starting job.
“For her, I didn’t have to think real deeply,” Helixon said. “She’s lightning-fast, has a cannon for an arm and hits the ball hard. She’s an amazing talent.”
Joel Badzinski can be reached at (608) 791-8402 or joel.badzinski@lee.net
All stories copyright 2000 - 2006 La Crosse Tribune and other attributed sources.