2008 Season Outlook

High hopes and expectations surround the 2007-2008 MidAmerica Nazarene University Softball Program as they anxiously wait to suit up for their first game February 22nd at the MidAmerica Invitational. The MNU Lady Pioneers are coming off of another prolific softball campaign with an outstanding second place finish in the Heart of America Athletic Conference and the third straight Regional Appearance.

When asked about last year's season and his expectations for this year, Head Coach Steve Babinski responded, "The last few years have been amazing! This year has all the same potential but with a lot of different faces." Look for MNU to throw up some numbers on the scoreboard this spring. Babinski is returning top hitters Sam Juarez, Kim Russell, and Kassy Cole. Some newcomers that you need to keep your eyes on will be Jara Mori, Margaret Lear, Sylina Santell, Liz Seybert, and Darreika Dick - all transfer girls with amazing college success. Continuing on down the list is a slue of freshmen that will try to make their presence known.

In the circle this year will showcase many different names, but not much experience. The Pioneers return Melissa Rupert and Ashley Adams. They gain transfers Talia Bodine, Courtney Bailey and Doreen Dodson and freshman Ashley Fischer. Although you count six names, there's only 5 years of college softball experience represented. Coach Babinski commented, "Our pitching is young, but the hitters and the defense that will surround them will be the biggest support system the Pioneers have ever seen. It's the perfect situation for a young staff. We do have a strong core of returnees, but the key will be how everyone plays as a team. Now that we're in season, there is no difference from newcomer or returner. Everyone is working together for the same prize. Everyone is going to be called on to step up and produce!"

The MNU Softball program has pieced together another tough schedule that will stretch this new squad and test how good they can really be. February will start their season off by hosting two invitationals. Of the opponents represented, some of the top are Grand View (IA), Bethel (IN) and Ottawa (KS). All the teams have either recently gone to the National tournament or were top 25 recently. They then compete in a tournament at Hastings College that will lead them back home to one of the most important dates of the season: March 13th against Evangel University. The last 2 years Evangel has been #1 and MidAmerica #2 by the slightest of margins. The Pioneers grab their bags and fly out to California for their spring break to play southern California teams, including headliner Point Loma Nazarene University. Other then being MidAmerica's sister school, Point Loma is always ranked top 5 nationally and finished the last two years second at the National Tournament. The rest of the season is the tough opponents of the Heart of America Conference sprinkled in with a few more non-conference games. Although it is non-conference, another notable weekend will be the Oklahoma City Tournament held by top-5 team Oklahoma City. Other then being a great tournament we get to play on the nicest fields in the nation, the Hall of Fame Fields. The Hall of fame Stadium fields are immaculate and they house numerous tournaments including the Big Twelve's conference tournament and the NCAA Division I World Series.

Playing top 25 teams is Coach Babinski's M.O.! This years schedule has MidAmerica up against pre-season #22 Evangel (MO), #20 McKendree (IL), #19 Biola (CA), #16 Bethel (IN), #3 Point Loma (CA), and last seasons National Champions #1 Oklahoma City (OK). This will mark the 3rd time in 4 years that Coach Babinski has faced the #1 team in the nation. "The schedule was meant to be tough. We need to see what national caliber teams look like if we want to become a perennial national contender. Last year we had 17 losses to top 25 teams, each year I want to lessen the loses and increase the wins until we are the team to beat!" In fact, 35 of Coach Babinski's 52 loses in the last three years have been to top 25 teams. Good luck Coach Babinski and the Lady Pioneers!

Coach Babinski is starting his fourth season as head coach at MidAmerica. He has compiled a 92-52 (.639) record and 40-20 (.667) HAAC record. Prior to MidAmerica he spent 3 years as an assistant; 1 at NAIA Grace College and 2 at NCAA DI Bowling Green State University.