Mission statement helps unite softball team

by Terry Cipollini staff writer

With a chill in the air and snow on the ground the Cabrini softball team has begun practicing for the new season.

On any given day you can find 15 players and their two coaches going through drills in the Dixon Center.

While most of the college is relaxing during spring break, the softball team will be participating in the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic.

The team will leave for Fort Myers, Fla. on Saturday, Feb. 26 and their first game will be Sunday, Feb. 27. The team will play two games per day for five days before returning home.

Bridget Baxter, coordinator of student activities and head softball coach, believes that even though Cabrini is a young team they should have a good season.

The team consists of many strong players from past seasons and the addition of six first-year students.

"This is the top recrniting class since i've been here," Baxter said. Baxter also gives credit to the team captain senior Linda Costello.

"Linda is doing a great job as a senior leader," Baxter said.

The team put together a strong mission statement prior to the start of the sea<;on.

Each student prepared a separate list of goals and steps toward those goals. As a team they combined their goals and steps to guide them through the season. Baxter wants

Michelle Gabriel, Katie Vallone and Meghan Merkel take a break from a softball team's practice. the team to know the steps, respect each other, work hard and have fun.

"The mission statement will help each player gel as a team," Baxter said.

The team also sees the benefit of the mission statement.

"It was a very good idea, it brought everyone together," Costello said.

"It got everyone on the same page where we will stay throughout the season," sophomore Megan Johnston said.

Another new addition this year is Karen Pelkey, athletic administrative assistant and assistant softball coach. According to Baxter, Pelkey brings with her a ton of knowledge and experience.

"She will serve as a great role model," Baxter said The team is learning a lot from Pelkey.

"She brings a lot of good drills and knows what she's talking about," Johnston said.

"Karen is very committed and a hard worker;· Costello said.

The season will continue with the first home game on Thursday, March 9, at 3 p.m. This game will be a double header against Alvernia College. According to Baxter, the hardest competition for the sea;on will probably come from Wesley and Misericordia.

Wesley College won the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference last year. Misericordia College is the top winner for the region. However, Baxter firmly believes that Cabrini will win the regular season.

"I think we're going to be good" Baxter said The individual goals and expectations are all very similar.

"Our goal is to win the PAC,"said Costello. Johnston followed up with, "Our goal is to win the PAC and go to nationals."