They arrived as four freshmen with a goal.
They had played softball for many years through club teams and high school. When they chose to attend Oregon, softball slipped on their list of priorities; academics and life on a large campus took greater importance.
But the Oregon softball team’s open
tryouts last week offered them an opportunity to continue playing the sport they love.
Although Oregon coach Kathy Arendsen deemed none of the freshmen trying out worthy of Pacific-10 Conference competition, she praised the group, including Suni Dillard, Kaela Grytness, Amanda Scott and Courtney Ludwig.
“I thought this group was the best softball players we’ve had in a walkon tryout,” Arendsen said. “We are not going to keep any of them on our team, but we are offering Suni a role within our program to help us out with some catching.”
Softball is a partially funded NCAA sport and as such, has only 12 scholarships for a roster of 16 to 20 players.
“We rely on walkons to give us depth and provide roles that we’re somehow missing,” Arendsen said.
Walkons have emerged as starters and
others have earned scholarships through
their play.
“We pride ourselves on finding sleeper players,” Arendsen said.
Arendsen cited sophomore Melissa Rice as an example. Rice hails from Colville High in Colbert, Wash., and emerged as Oregon’s ace last season with an 8-5 record and a 2.60 ERA in 113 innings pitched.
“We saw her along the way, got to know her and opened an opportunity here but I don’t think Melissa would have had a Pac-10
opportunity,” Arendsen said. “I’m not sure she would’ve gotten a college opportunity.”
Dillard has the chance to help Oregon
in practices with the Ducks’ pitchers.
She played four years of varsity softball
for Nooksack Valley High in Everson, Wash. She had opportunities to play softball at
the Division II level, only to place academics before her athletic pursuits in choosing a college.
By trying out, Dillard said she had an opportunity to do both. The new role allows her to stay in shape and let coaches get
to know her should she decide to try out again next year, she said.
“I just wanted to keep playing,” she said.
The same went for Grytness, a right-handed pitcher from Bandon High. Grytness, who attended an Oregon softball camp years ago, tried out at first base.
“I just thought I might as well give it a try ’cause I didn’t really have much to lose,” Grytness said.
Scott, who is from Oregon City, Ore., came to Oregon for the large-school atmosphere and decided to give softball another try.
Ludwig has played softball for many years and after coming Oregon from San Diego she wanted to see if she could continue playing at the Division I level.
The coaches placed most of their emphasis on throwing, hitting and fielding mechanics, Arendsen said. The coaches timed the players running from home to first, and assistant coach Mick Hokanson hit ground balls and fly balls to test their fielding skills.
Ludwig, who chose Oregon for its sports marketing program, found the school on a whim through an Internet search engine. It was the only school to which she applied.
“Softball just seemed like a plus,” Ludwig said. “It didn’t hurt to try out. It was worth a try.”
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Tryouts give players second chance
Daily Emerald
October 4, 2006
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