University of Tennessee Athletics
LADY VOL SOFTBALL DIARIES - KATHERINE CARD
March 22, 2004 | Softball
March 22, 2004
Sophomore Katherine Card (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.) recaps the Lady Vols' successful road trip to Starkville in which they claimed all three games from Mississippi State. The outfielder certainly did her part, batting .455 in the series and knocking in the winning run in the finale on Sunday.
Friday, March 19, 2004
It seems like just yesterday we were rolling back in from Tuscaloosa, but here we are again sitting behind Stokely waiting to load up the bus for our ride to Starkville, Mississippi, where we'll take on the Lady Bulldogs. Everyone loaded up their gear, grabbed their sandwich, settled into their seats and prepared for Don, our bus driver, to put down his lead foot. Since we had seven hours to kill, we started out the trip with the classic movie "My Girl." Some people chose to sleep, but there was no way I was going to pass up this movie. All I know is no matter how many times I see the film, I can't help but crying at the end. I tried to fight it until I looked around the bus and caught a few of my teammates, who will remain nameless, wiping away some tears as well.
After the movie, we were informed that it was time for study hall. After two grueling hours trying to concentrate on a swaying bus, it was time to put away the books and select another film. Luckily, it was one of my favorite movies of all time, "Dirty Dancing." It was probably the thousandth time I had seen it, but I still got chills at the end when Patrick Swayze crinkles his nose. If you don't know what I mean, run to Blockbuster and pick it up.
By the time the movie ended, we were just rolling into Applebee's to eat. It seems like all we do on the road is eat, eat, and eat some more! After diner we checked into the hotel. Before we went to sleep, Amber Rhinehart, my really, really ridiculously funny roommate, and I talked about how this was going to be a great weekend for our team.
Saturday, March 20, 2004
I was so excited to walk out of the hotel and not have to wear a coat. The weather was beautiful, and best of all, we got to wear shorts! I know that may not seem like a big deal to most people, but then again, you probably haven't had to fit into ball pants after a workout with Colin Schlosser, our strength coach. Anyway, the team definitely came out swinging. Once we got the offense started at the plate, there was no stopping us.
We won the opener, 10-1, and the highlights for me were getting my first SEC hit of the season, Kristi Durant's homer and base-clearing double, and a stellar hitting performance by Ellisha Humphrey. Even in game two, we kept on rolling. We answered every time Mississippi State scored and pulled out the win Lady Vol-style. I wish everyone could have been there to see Lauren Mattox dive to tag out a runner attempting to steal home on a wild pitch. It was for sure the defensive play of the game, and really pumped up our team. After the two W's, it was time to EAT!
The coaches took us to a great steakhouse, and it had to be my favorite restaurant of the year. If you're ever in Starkville, make sure to eat at Cappe's Steakhouse. Once we got back to the hotel after a stop at Baskin Robbins for ice cream, we finally had time to relax. A bunch of us headed down to Mandie Fishback and Monica Abbott's room to watch Gothika. I have seen this movie three times, but still scream during all the scary scenes. Hopefully I'll be able to sleep tonight!!
Sunday, March 21, 2004
I guess everyone brought their brooms with them this weekend, because it was a sweep! Mississippi State is a really scrappy team, and they took it to us every inning this afternoon. This was our weekend though, and we worked too hard last week in practice to go home without another win. Although they tied up the game in the fifth and sixth innings, we managed to come through with several clutch hits in the eighth inning to win the game, 5-3. It was a huge win for us and it feels like we are finally coming together as a team. I think it's safe to say this is going to be a great ride home! I hope somebody has some more movies...
