Miami Ohio University Athletics
Captains' Corner
3/15/2012 12:00:00 AM | General
March 15, 2012
Captains' Corner is a weekly update from a captain or leader of one of the RedHawks' 19 teams that will run every other Thursday throughout the academic year. Today's update is from softball's Jordan McElroy, a senior from Marion, Arkansas, who prepped at Marion High School and majors in health education and health performance.
We Softballers just came back from sunny Clearwater, Florida after soaking up the sun and playing 11 games over the week. A lot of exciting things have been happening for us. We are coming off a HUGE win, beating University of South Florida 2-1 who was ranked 23rd nationally. This was one of the most exciting games I have experienced in my four years at Miami. It's crazy because in our sport you need everyone to win, including the bench and the USF game definitely showed what our team is capable of if all 20 girls are 100 percent in.
We are 11-9 so far this season with a lot of softball still left to play. Our team has been relying on sophomore Paige Myers who is 5-1 on the mound. Paige was a key part to beating USF by only allowing two hits until she was replaced by senior Jessica Simpson who finished out the game for Paige. I am so proud of Paige; she has worked extremely hard in the off season by not only getting physically, but also mentally stronger in order to prepare for this season. Her hard work has defiantly paid off posting a 1.13 ERA so far this season. Overall, the pitchers have done an amazing job shutting down opposing teams. We look to them to set the tone each and every game.
For this season we have five seniors who are determined to not only win a MAC championship, but to make a name for ourselves in the region. We have had nothing but success over four years, but simply having a 30-plus win season isn't going to be good enough in our eyes. We want it all and I personally believe we have one of the best teams we have had in four years.
In the preseason coaches' poll we are picked to win the MAC East Division, and we are using this as motivation to compete and win each and every game. In a few weeks, we start conference play and look forward to making a name for ourselves in our conference. My freshman year, we made history by becoming the first Miami softball team to win a game in the regionals and this year we strive to get back to regionals and really make a name for ourselves. We have the talent and heart to do big things this season, and I am really looking forward to see how far this very gifted group of girls goes.
We wouldn't be where we are today without the dedication and support of our family and friends who travel the country with us to watch us play. We have some of the greatest fans I have ever seen and we really look forward to represent them and the rest of the Miami family at our first home game on March 16!
Love and Honor,
Jordan McElroy
