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c I ;; ; Op Wednesday, July 15,1998 Softball recri contribute ir sports editor BRYAH JOHNSTON The University of South Carolina's softball - team entered the 1998 season with high hopes and expectations. And with good reason. Coming off an SEC ChamnionshiD and a triD to the Women's College World Series in 1997, the Lady Gamecocks had dreams of repeating both feats. , But after suffering through numerous injuries and a 36-21 record, Carolina was left in need of solutions?and quickly. In 1998, The Lady Gamecocks were hindered most by a lack of pitching and timely hitting. So the additions of Samantha Russian, Debralee Troesh and Megan Matthews look to fill in the gaps needed for Carolina to return to national prominence. "These three recruits are going to bring in a lot of versatility," Carolina Head Coach Joyce Compton said. "All three of them bring in pretty good experience and pretty good high school seasons." Russian is a riseball pitcher from Manassas, Va.. who led her hiph srhnnl team to a Northwest. Region title and a pair of appearances in the Group AAA state tournament. As a sophomore at Stonewall Jackson High, Russian's pitching heroics, she didn't allow an earned run in six appearances, carried the Raiders to their first Northwest title in the school's 33-year history in 1996. And as a junior, her 0.88 ERA and .351 batting average helped Stonewall to its second straight appearance in the state tournament. In her senior season, Russian went 17-3 with an ERA of 0.56 and 185 strikeouts. At the plate, she hit .370. Russian was named the Virginia High School Softball Player of the Year by Gatorade. Fifty schools began what was dubbed the "Russian Sweepstakes" by Northern Virginia newspapers, with six to eight coaches calling every night. In the end, it was down to Carolina and Virginia Tech. Russian said the difference maker was the total narkacrp Smith f!ar olina brought to the table. "I liked the school a lot, and the weather was real good," Russian said. "The team and coaches were also nice. I just hope to help out a little and bring some more winning spirit to the team." Russian said her strengths are hitting the corners and her rise ball, but she needs to work on her curves and getting her drop ball down. "Sam is going to do a lot of throwing for us and she's got a lot of experience," Compton said. "I see her getting a lot of playing time. She's also got a very good bat, so we can work her into the DP role when she's not pitching." Matthews, a pitcher/outfielder from Greer, S.C., was named the Gatorade Southern Region Softball Player of the Year and The State High School Softball Player of the Year. A graduate of Riverside High School, Matthews finished this season with a 15-3 record, a 0.40 ERA and a .600 batting average. But her career stats stick out even more. She finished her six years with a 0.82 ERA and three state championships and three perfect games. Three times Matthews struck out 20 batters in one game, a state record, and finished with 25 career no-hitters, a state record, eighth in the QRTS The Gamecock Page 7 rits expect to omediately nation. Her 100 career victories is second in the state, and her 1,239 career strikeouts is a state record and ranks ninth in the nation. She also finished with a .500 career batting average with 239 career RBI, a state record, second in the nation and 258 career hits, a state record, second in the nation. "Megan's a versatile athlete who's going to have the opportunity to pitch," Compton said. "She's been throwing well this summer. She'll also get some work in the outfield and possibly some work at first base. She's another good hitter so both of the pitchers we're bringing in are going to be able to hit for us when they're not throwing." Matthews first played softball in fifth grade and made the varsity team as a seventh grader. Matthews said when Carolina watched her play, she wasn't pitching her best, so they recruited her as a utility player with a chance to show what she can do on the mound. "They were looking at me playing in the outfield and at my bat," Matthews said. "I have to prove I can hold the pitching position. I think if I get out there and work hard and play my game, I think that may be enough." Troesh is the sister of Leanna, Carolina's current first baseman. The catcher from Santa Maria, Calif., was named to the All-Area Santa Barbara Team, All-County Team, All-Northern League Team, All-CIF Southern Section Team and was given Righetti High's Defensive Player of the Year. "Defensively, she's got a great arm, knows the game well and knows how to call a game," Compton said. "Debralee's played against some of the top competition out in California. She will add a lot offensively for us and has a lot of pop with her bat." Troesh is expected to battle Adrienne Genovese for time behind the plate. The Lady Gamecocks will enter the 1)9 season with a plethora of returning talent. All four infielders, 3B Sondra Hall, SS Kendra McCutcheon, 2B Kim Schultze and Troesh, return. McCutcheon is recovering from ankle ouigcij cuici uicoiuiig a uunc ui tuc iiidt game of the season. On the mound, Nikki Beers, who left midway through the season because of medical reasons, and Joyce McMillin are back. In the outfield, two-time All-SEC member Kim Retro returns at center field. Jamie Williams is back and Megan Donohoo, who filled in for McCutcheon at shortstop, will return to her natural position of left field. Heather Culver, who was redshirted as a freshman last year, should see a lot of time on the mound. With 10 letterwinners coming back, and a talprtprl orrnnn nf in/>nmin(r fVncKmon Pnmntnn WHVUVVW gtVVi|/ VI UlVVllUllg I1VDIUUU11) VUIUptUil and the Lady Gamecocks are looking to return to the top of the conference and the nation. 1 a ^ f % I'M ^ Ld V \ ..-v#" ' $ '"- , * ? + ^ Serving > lunch 8c dinn< mon. - sat. 11 IM Ml W? FVFR even '% \ ^Sfsss^ # '%& ?\,%S 4^ ^*?Xxw*& 920 LAD U U LII ^2! 5i ^5' _ N/ce^ fe' ttfififi i m iTUESDAY s Jr ^ Y STREET IMBIA 0042 $ <z&.' aw^sx&v. &. 9