Temple University Athletics
Softball Preps for Kajikawa Classic
2.14.08 | Softball
Feb. 14, 2008
PHILADELPHIA - Third-year head coach Casey Dickson and the Cherry and White are set to begin their 2008 season Friday afternoon at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. on the campus of Arizona State University.
The Owls begin the classic on Friday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. (EST) against Cal-Berkeley (2-3). They will then face Western Michigan (0-0) at 3:30 p.m. (EST). The Cherry and White then tangle with #25 Oregon State (2-3) on Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. (EST) followed by Idaho State (0-4) at 12:00 p.m. (EST). The Owls conclude action on Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. when they face Oklahoma State (3-2).
After a long winter of practice and preparation, Dickson feels that team is prepared and focused for the season opening event.
"We have been practicing twice a day for the last four weeks in order to prepare for this weekend," said Dickson. "We have been fortunate to have decent weather this winter and we have been able to practice outside which helps in preparation".
Dickson introduces a brand-new coaching staff this weekend with first-year assistants Heidi Freitager, Lynsey Grace and Dan DeMarco. Freitager, a 2001 graduate from Northern Iowa, will be in charge of the catching while Grace, a 2004 Temple alum, will lend her experience to the outfield. DeMarco, returning to Temple as a volunteer coach, will handle the pitching staff.
The Cherry and White return seven players from a team that went 18-21 overall and 7-9 in the Atlantic 10 last season, good for the Owls first postseason birth since 2004. Juniors Courtney Norene and Katie Burdeaux lead a power offensive attack for the Cherry and White. Norene batted .333 with eight home runs and 30 RBI last season while Burdeaux hit .329 with seven home runs and 24 RBI. Senior Brianna Diary will anchor the Owls' pitching staff after posting a 7-5 mark and a team best 3.08 ERA. Other key returns include sophomore Krystle Metzler (.298, 25 RBI) , SS/2B Anna Rico (.313, 11 RBI), and INF Natalie Wagner (.284, 9 home runs).
For the Cherry and White, the trip offers an excellent opportunity to play against some of the best competition in the nation, as well an opportunity to escape the Philadelphia winter and play outdoors.
"This weekend is going to give our team a chance to put to work everything we have learned in the off-season and the past month," said Norene. "By just being able to feel the sun, touch the dirt, and play against some great competition, it will help prepare us for our conference and give us that extra push to keep working".
