Opening Day

EAST PEORIA — The Spring Equinox on March 20 was the official transition from winter to the spring season, this coming just two days before the home opener for the Illinois Central College Softball Team (8-7).

Presenting the assumption that the sun’s bright rays would be shining down upon the Cougars and their opponent Spoon River College. However for all of us native Illinoisans, assumptions about the weather only seem to validate the old saying of what assuming does to “you and me.”

Therefore, the Cougars home opener was postponed due to Mother Nature’s serious symptoms of an attachment disorder with Jack Frost. Rather than thrilling games and statistics being the headline for the Cougars, “postponed and cancellations” are stealing the spotlight. Their cancellation total increased to eight games, after canceling yet another home game on March 27 against Indian Hills Community College. This is obviously causing quite a scheduling crisis for the Cougars.

Even though this winter was harsher than others, it wasn’t the first time that cold weather has caused cancellation issues. Luckily, athletic director Sue Sinclair takes these weather precautions into consideration and schedules a handful of games in southern states where the weather permits. The first of those games for the Cougars began with the JUCO Kickoff Round Robin Tournament in Clearwater, Fla. Sadly the Cougars didn’t fare too well losing their first three games against southern opponents who have the advantage of practicing year round. The Cougars didn’t leave Florida empty handed, as they managed to shutout Georgia Perimeter 3-0 in their final game.

That confidence boost carried over to their next tournament Feb. 15 at St. Ambrose College in the chilly temperatures of Davenport, Iowa. It seemed that the Cougars were well equipped for cold-weather games winning both scheduled games and extending their win streak to three games. First against Augustana’s JV squad 12-2 followed with a win directly after that against Kirkwood Community College 6-1.

Unfortunately, the Cougars winning-streak was snapped the following weekend as they dropped back-to-back losses at Jones County. The Cougars have yet to find a consistent rhythm so far this season and their 8-7 record reflects it. With 11 new freshmen recruits on the Cougars roster, a slow start is to understandable. But the returning sophomores help eliminate the inexperience, such as catcher Brittany Miller and 1st baseman Dani Smith who both are great leaders that know what it takes to lead by example.

There is still a copious amount of time for these talented freshmen to shake the nervous jitters off and help the Cougars rise to the greatness that the team is capable of.