Thursday and Saturday, the Oles split two doubleheaders with MIAC bottom-dwellers Carleton and Augsburg. Sunday, they completed an April 22nd game against St. Ben's that had been suspended in the second inning. However, St. Olaf fell 8-2 in the resumed game.

The Oles finished up the season in eighth place in the MIAC with an 8-14 conference record. In 2006, they finished in 9th place in the conference with the same 8-14 record. Hurt by a slow start to the non-conference season, their overall record was 10-23. However, St. Olaf coach Ruthie Neuger was pleased with the season.

"We came from behind in many games, which shows desire and determination and is always a pleasant thing for a coach to see," Neuger said. "First-year Ali Berens had at least four game-winning hits for us including a grand slam against Augsburg last weekend."

Neuger also credited centerfielder Paige Olson ‘'10 and shortstop Jess Magnuson '09 for their defensive leadership. As the team's sole senior, Christina Sampson contributed "heads-up play" in right field, according to Neuger.

On offense, Berens led the way statistically and literally, hitting .351 from the lead-off spot, with three homers and 21 RBIs. Olson posted homer and RBI totals identical to Berens', while Emily Hennig '08 had three homeruns and led the team with 23 RBIs.

"We have an outstanding crop of first years and we will only lose one senior so things look good for next year," Neuger said.

Neuger is excited about next year's recruiting class and appears confident that they can pick up where this year's young nucleus left off. It has now been nine seasons since the Oles finished with a winning conference record.

Printer friendly version | Email this | Write the editors | More articles by Eric Monek Anderson