Softball freshmen now key contributors

Coming into the 2009 college softball season with the youngest team in the country, Georgia coach Lu Harris-Champer knew she could count on two established seniors and five sophomores who exhibited potential in 2008.

But with nine freshmen on the opening day roster, Harris-Champer also knew she'd have to rely on newcomers this spring, and three months later, four first-year players - catcher Kristyn Sandberg, second baseman Ashley Pauly, outfielder Lisaira Daniels and designated player Tori Moody - played key roles in the Bulldogs (44-10) earning the program's first visit to the Women's College World Series.

"They've been ballplayers their whole life and they're coming in playing ball the way they know how to play, and I'm really proud of the contribution they've made," Harris-Champer said of the freshman contributions. "They play well, they play hard and they play for the team. That's what you've got to love about them. They're all about the team."

Georgia's veteran coach simplifies the situation, but it's often difficult for first-year players to make any impact in college softball. The Bulldogs' freshman four, however, have started a combined 189 games this season, so thinking of them as rookies is a bit outdated.

"I went through the season and worked hard with my team," said Sandberg, who totaled eight home runs and 23 RBIs in 53 starts. "I don't think that I ever felt like a freshman. When I stepped on to that field, it was to play ball."

"The good thing about it is, we're not looked at as freshmen," said Daniels, who has a .306 batting average and 33 runs scored in 48 starts. "We're looked at as a teammate, a player, a best friend, a sister. We trust each other 100 percent and we have each other's backs through thick and thin. That's what I love about this team."

The younger players assent that reaching the sport's premier event in their first year is daunting and deserved.

"We're living in the moment, having fun and playing softball," said Moody, who in 39 starts has 29 RBIs and five home runs, including a big blast in last weekend's Athens Super Regional. "Getting to the World Series has been the goal. I knew we had all the potential in the world."

"We fight so hard every day in practice to do what we have to do," Daniels said. "We don't look too far into the future - we take it day by day and practice by practice, pitch by pitch and game by game. We deserve it. We worked so hard to get this far and I'm glad to be with this team. We're not done yet. We're going to keep fighting."

Besides Moody's home run in Georgia's 7-6 series-clinching win last weekend over Ohio State, the Bulldogs' other three freshmen made critical contributions. In the first game, a come-from-behind 6-4 win, Sandberg posted a hit and a run and Pauly added an RBI. In the second game, Daniels had a hit and a run.

And with the World Series set to begin, several players admitted to feeling some nerves.

"I'm a little nervous," said Pauly, who has scored 17 runs and driven in 18 runs in 49 starts. "Just thinking about it gets nerve-racking, but it's a great feeling to know that not many people get to go to the Women's College World Series, and as a freshman, I get to go out and do it."

"Of course I'm nervous," Daniels agreed. "Having a little nervousness helps you throughout the game. That's what makes you better, if you use it right. There are a few butterflies."

Sandberg, however, is taking a slightly different approach.

"I'm really not nervous - this is the extended season," she said. "We're going out there to do our best and hopefully bring home a national championship."

College Softball World Series Glance

At ASA Hall of Fame Stadium, Oklahoma City

Double Elimination

Thursday

Game 1 - Washington (46-11) vs. Georgia (44-10), 1 p.m. (ESPN)

Game 2 - Missouri (50-10) vs. Arizona State (46-17), 3 p.m.

Game 3 - Alabama (52-9) vs. Michigan (46-10), 7 p.m.

Game 4 - Arizona (46-15) vs. Florida (60-3), 9 p.m.

Friday

Game 5 - Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 7 p.m.

Game 6 - Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 9 p.m.

Saturday

Game 7 - Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser, Noon

Game 8 - Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 2 p.m.

Game 9 - Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 loser, 7 p.m.

Game 10 - Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 loser, 9 p.m.

Sunday

Game 11 - Game 6 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 1 p.m.

Game 12 - Game 8 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 3 p.m.

Game 13 - Game 11 winner vs. Game 11 loser, 7 p.m., if necessary

Game 14 - Game 12 winner vs. Game 12 loser, 9 p.m., if necessary

Championship Series (Best-of-3)

Monday: Game 1, 8 p.m.

Tuesday: Game 2, 8 p.m.

Wednesday: Game 3, 8 p.m., if necessary

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