Quickness and power

Story by Don Meckley

Wi ith the loss of five starters from the previous year's squad, the outlook on the 1983 season was apprehensive, but positive

The team ended the season with thesecond best record (20-14-1) since Coach Barb Dearing began coaching four years ago.

The outfield was probably the quickest of any ever fielded at LBC

"The hitting was probably stronger this season than last,"said Dearing. This was proved by the caliber of schools the Lady Flames knocked off They placed fourthin the Penn State Invitational by beating Colgate University,5-4;and the Lady Lionsof Penn State, TO. They were undefeated in their own tournament, defeating Virginia Commonwealth University, 11-5; Niagara University, 3-2; and the University ofMaryland, 9-2 The Lady Flames then went on to take first place in the Radford Invitational Tournament by defeating Roanoke College, 8-6; Eastern Mennonite, 10-0; and Radford,8-6

JuniorDee Galarneau from Verona,N.Y., getsone of her eighthits during the LBC Lady Flames Invitational Tournament. Galarneau'seighthits included two doubles and a grand slam home run.

Putting power into her swing.

"With a schedule composed of mostly Division I and Division II schools,the kids knew a lot of games would be one-run games," said Coach Dearing "They knew itwas sink or swim."

Leading the Lady Flames offensively were junior Dee Galarneau from Verona, N.Y., with a .380battingaverage,including 11 doubles and 19 RBI's, and sophomore Michele Agnew. The Pembroke,Mass., native had a .550 batting average (54 for 98 atthe plate),17 RBI's,sixtriples,11 stolen (continued on page 96)

Quickness ond power

(continued from page 95) bases, .978% field average, and a 1.89 ERA proved shecould very well be theteam's most valuable player. Inno way, though, was theteam a one-act show.

"It took teamwork and intensity to win the games we won," commented Dearing

"The consistency of intensity was affected by the absence ofa constant team leader.Each game someone would rise to the occasion,andtake the lead, andpull off the victory."

The "vets" included senior Gail Keith from Newcastle, Del.,who hasplayedall the infield positions Junior Tuesday Van Engen from Lynchburg, Va., has also turned in consistent performances each year, both at the plate and third base. These two, along with Agnew and Galarneau were often the ones whowould initiate theaction during a game.

On a team that hadeight first-yearplayers, the accomplishment of a second consecutive 20-win season would seem to have been enough But theFlames were also third inthe South region ofthe NCAA Division IIbehind the firstand third-ranked teams inthe nation.

Failure to reach thepreseason goal of winning 30games was not only the team's fault.

"We were rained outofseven games and played quite a fewmore in the rain orwe would have metour goal andShelly probably would have had 20 wins again this year," Dearing said

The bright spot ofnext year will be experience. Eight ofthe starting nine willbe returning. With the teamwork, intensity, and experience expected from next year's squad,they will begoing fora berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs which hadonly 12 positions available this year

"We cando it Ithink we're capableof obtaining that goal," said Dearing.

WOMEN'S

Rosa Woodson, Manager, Marlene Alexander, Michele Agnew, Carol Barnes,Tammy Simpson, DollyHarvey, Tuesday

Van Engen, Gail Keith, Jim Angel, Assistant Coach; (back row) Mitch Hughes, Student Coach; Leslie Williamson, Phyllis Narron, Bonny Bandara, De'ette Galarneau, Ann Bulwalda, Lisa Whitaker, Leslie Byrne, Tersa Vest, trainer; Cami Coulter, statistician; BarbaraDearing, Head Coach.

1982-83 Women's Softball Team

Won

Junior

The Flames baseball team had