Lady Bisons Capture First Conference Championship Overcoming inexperience in the oufield and lack of speed, the Lady Bisons captured the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference championship with an unblemished conference record, 3-0. Facing the fourth year for women's collegiate softball, Coach Ted Altman voiced only conservative optimism. "Our team is very strong on pitching and we have an average defense. OUT weak spot is that we have no proven outfielders. That's not to say that we don't have a talented outfield, - photo by Public Rela· Softball Team. Front row: Purrier, Hall, Barnett, Watson, Goodin, Kemp, Johnson. Back row: Altman-coach, Mason, Sweany, Tiner, Dowdy, Gahn, Phillips, Adams-assistant coach. - photo by Public Relations Office. 158 Softball it's just that they haven't had the opportunity to show what they can do. We also have some problems with not being fast enough," he said. The team which took the field in early spring contained an experienced infield. Junior Pam Tiner of Jackson, TN, returned to third base and senior Karen Kemp of Rockledge, Fla., returned to her position as shortstop. Linda Phillips, a sophomore from Royal Oak, Mich., and Karen Mason, a juniorfrom Tabernacle, N.J., split time at first base and the pitcher's mound. Amy Hall, sophomore form Burkburnett, Texas, completed the returning core of infielders. The remaining experience of the team lay in Louise Goodin at catcher. The remaining positions were filled by Lisa Barnett, Lyn Dowdy, Dawn Gann, Annie Johnson, Martha Purrier and Susie Sweany. The team played well as a whole and we did what we set out to do - win. - Susie Sweaney Along with the AIC Championship, the Lady Bisons also claimed nine of the positons on the AII-AIC softball team with players Kemp, Tiner, Hal, Phillips, Sweany, Watson, Gann, Goodin and Mason. Mason also earned the position of leading AIC pitcher. The AIC recognized Altman as Coach of the Year; he also received the NAIA District - 17 Coach of Year Award. Although 1984 marked only the second year for fast~pitch on the women's team, the ladies excelled in every area. "More people being experienced longer with the fast pitch, more people understanding the concept really played key roles in our championship win," Kemp stated. ~
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