June 9, 2008

From the moment they stepped on the University of Dayton campus in the fall, first-year head coach Cara Clark and assistant coach Christine Steines wasted no time in implementing a new vision and fostering a positive, winning attitude. Under this new direction the 2008 Flyer softball squad generated plenty of highlights.

After finishing 11-30 a year ago, the new staff immediately put the pieces in place for a long-term gain. The result was the Flyers achieving their first 20-win season in three years and more than doubling their Atlantic 10 win total from a season ago. In addition, Clark's 20 wins was the most by any first-year head coach at UD.

The most significant stepping stone for the program was it had a chance on the final day of the regular season to advance to the Atlantic 10 Softball Tournament, a feat that hasn't been accomplished since the 2000 campaign.

One of the reasons for the team's optimism was a significant change in the program's culture. Clark described changing the Dayton culture as making a commitment to excellence, making a commitment to winning.

A quick head-to-head comparison from 2007 to 2008 showed that commitment. A vast majority of the team numbers improved from batting average and runs scored to fielding percentage and sacrifices.

At first it looked like the 2008 season would be a repeat of 2007. Dayton lost its first six games before picking up an 8-1 victory over Tennessee State.

Then the Flyers got on a roll thanks to a strong showing at the Orlando Rebel Games in which UD found their groove thanks to timely hitting and clutch pitching performances. The Flyers won nine of its next 10 games and enjoyed a season-best, six-game winning streak.

UD went 14-8 during the month of March and during that stretch the Flyers enjoyed a couple of spectacular moments that saved not only the game, but boosted the team's confidence during the season.

Molly Meyer came up with an over-the-wall catch in a win against Wagner, a diving play at the plate to get the tying runner in the seventh inning by Laura Matthews and Eva Rappe collecting a program-best three saves and a win on the mound.

When UD began the conference season, the Flyers slid once again with three consecutive defeats. After a 7-0 win over Temple and a 3-0 defeat to St. Joseph's in game one, it took another heroic effort to keep UD on track.

That moment was provided by Megan Lee who smacked a two-run, two-out homer to lift Dayton to a 2-1 triumph. The homer sparked the Flyers to stay in contention through conference play going 4-4 in their next eight games.

In late April UD needed another memorable moment to keep their season alive. After Dayton lost game one 5-0 to St. Bonaventure, the Flyers were once again on the brink of elimination with two outs in the seventh inning of game two.

At that moment, second baseman Katie Jordan cranked out her first collegiate home run to tie the game at 3-3. Meyer eventually won the game in the 10th with a two-run blast that kept UD's postseason hopes alive and added to a series of memorable moments.

In the final doubleheader of the regular season, Dayton's run eventually ended with a sweep against the Saint Louis Billikens. The disappointment of missing the Atlantic 10 Tournament was not forgotten, but seemed increasingly distant after stepping back and viewing all of the team's accomplishments on-and-off the field.

One of the most significant accomplishments came after the season when Matthews earned a second-team selection on the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Softball Team. The senior catcher became the 76th Academic All-American overall and 29th in the last seven years at UD.

The honors didn't stop there as Matthews and pitcher Erin Lafayette were selected members of the Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference team and ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Softball selections.

Freshman shortstop Emily Stegeman received a spot on the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team and Meyer picked up an Honorable Mention selection.

The Flyers believe the pieces and hard-working mentality are in place to snap the postseason funk. With at least six starters returning and a strong recruiting class on the way, hopes are high for another season of accomplishments, memorable moments and more importantly - victories.