So long sunshine

It's been a fantastic week in sunny Tucson, AZ.  The Blugolds ended the week 8-2.  The two losses were tough ones, as the team fell short once to North Central College of Illinois and once to St. Olaf.  Still, these ladies showed so many great things in each game.  Every player had an opportunity to play, making this week a true Blugold team effort.

Here are a few highlights from the past week:

• Team total of 5 home runs, credit to Baumgartner, Bergquist, and Freagon
• Visits to the desert and mountains of Arizona
• Going to watch the University of Arizona Women's Fastpitch team play Cal State Northridge (winning 8-0 in 5 innings)
• Close plays at the plate and executed pick-offs...thanks to Bromelkamp
• 7 strikeouts by LC (Lauren Carlson) against Hastings
• Haluska coming through in clutch situation with a 2 RBI double in the 8th inning vs. Hastings
• Hours spent in the sun by the pool
• Complete game pitched by freshman "Ruegy" over St. Kate's
• Diving catches by Williams, Baumgartner, Haluska
• Harper coming through with a big base hit after struggling with an injury
• Speedy wheels and amazing base running by Jenny Hess
• Dominant pitching by Meinen, Wishau, and Hegseth
• Hits coming into the games by "Charles," Houle, Preston, and Acker 
• Lots of pretty raspberries after finally sliding in the DIRT
• Haluska diving to catch the home run ball at the U of AZ game, getting a bloody knee, of course staining her jeans
• MUCH MUCH MORE...

The coaches did a great job of coaching.  A big thanks to Steph 'Salter' Sturgis to helping this first half of the spring season and for all her hard work and positive energy brought to the team.  Also, thanks to Jessa Pfenning, Amber Dohlman, Tim Husted, and Sarah Fern for all their work this week.  Thanks to Student Athletic Trainer Christine Dickinson for patching up all the cuts and raspberries and looking out for the Blugolds.

Great job to Coach and Robin...as always, for coaching their hearts out, organizing the trip, and keeping everything and everyone in line!  ALSO, congrats to Coach Huntington for becoming the 4th All-Time Winningest WIAC Softball coach.  What a great accomplishment, and an honor to be a part of this program with such a great staff and such amazing players.

And who could forget Tim & Sue Rogge for all their contributions this week? They were such great supporters and helpers throughout the week, making sure we're all doing well and are fed.  Thanks to the Rogges!

Also, thanks to the parents, for supporting their daughters and joining in on the fun down in Arizona.  Thanks to Dayle and Dallas for their astounding support and treating us to dinner on the trip!

Now, we must say farewell to sunshine.  Us students have classes to get back to apparently.  This spring break has been such a great launch to what will be a great regular season of Blugold softball.  We are scheduled to play Luther College this coming weekend, if weather allows.  For some reason, the snow decided to fall and fall and fall while we were away, so we shall assess what this weekend will bring based on the snowfall.  

Signing out for one last time from Tucson....

Karen Hansen, Student Manager