Ripping off a long winning streak in baseball or softball is probably more difficult than any other sport, given how one player -- a pitcher -- can shut down even the hottest of teams. Or how even one misplayed ball can turn a lead into a loss.
So what do you make of Central Oklahoma's 25-game winning streak on the softball diamond?
Well, amazing comes immediately to mind. Or mind-boggling. How about incredible?
Whatever word you want to use, it would probably fit. But since dropping a 4-2 decision to Central Missouri on Feb. 17 to fall to 2-3, the Bronchos have been simply unbeatable.
They've won mostly in blowouts, with 15 of those 25 wins by at least five runs -- including nine that have ended early on the eight-run mercy rule. But they've also won close games, having prevailed in five one-run decisions.
Now 27-3, UCO is ranked 12th and rising. Playing as an NCAA Division II independent this season while between conferences, the Bronchos can only qualify for the national tournament as an at-large entry and will need to continue their winning ways to make the playoffs.
That, however, shouldn't be much of a problem.
The Bronchos of veteran coach Genny Stidham feature an overpowering offensive attack that overwhelms opponents, though this team still has plenty of speed along with a pair of proven pitchers.
UCO is averaging 8.1 runs a game and ranks among the Division II national leaders in batting average (.375), runs (242), home runs (47) and runs batted in (229). The Bronchos have already broken the school single-season record for homers and will also shatter the marks for runs and RBI, since 18 regular-season games still remain.
Nathalie Timmermans, Kacie Edwards and Megan Whitmire lead UCO's big boppers. That trio has combined for 33 homers and 126 RBI, with Timmermans having tied the school record for homers (14) and Edwards having already surpassed the RBI record with 49.
Then there's Kayce Raines, batting a team-high .474 with an on-base percentage over .500. And Kaylee Brunson, hitting .417 as the lead-off with 16 stolen bases. And Brittany Weaver, with her .353 average and impeccable defense at second base.
Don't forget pitchers Amanda McClelland (14-1, 2.91 earned run average) and Rachael Steverson (13-2, 3.43).
Will the winning streak ever end? Probably so, given the sport, but this is a special team and they're on a special roll.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Coaching Giant
Long-time UCO wrestling coach David James reached a rare milestone last Saturday when the Bronchos downed Ouachita Baptist 25-12, which was acknowledged immediately after completion of the final match when many in the crowd stood and waved signs saying "350".
It was the 350th career win for the 30-year skipper, putting him in rare air indeed. He became just the 40th coach in college wrestling history to reach that number and only the fifth in NCAA Division II.
James, a four-time All-American and two-time national champion for the Bronchos during his days as a competitor, is now 350-125-5 at UCO. Among those 350 wins are 56 over Division I teams, including such heavyweights as Michigan, Michigan State and Boise State. And 76 of his losses -- nearly 61 percent -- are to Division I teams, including powerhouses Iowa, Iowa State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Penn State.
D.J. has coached 12 national championship teams at UCO and been a seven-time national Coach of the Year honoree. He's had 45 individual national champions and 169 All-Americans. He's had more than 50 former wrestlers go on to become wrestling coaches themselves, many directing some of the best high school programs in Oklahoma and Texas.
In other words, Coach James is one of the coaching giants of his sport. Of any sport, really. And he deserves to be in the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.
• Two other UCO coaches have had milestone wins this year, with soccer head man Mike Cook and men's basketball mentor Terry Evans both reaching the 200-win plateau.
Cook did it early last fall with a 4-0 home shutout of Southwest Baptist to kick-start a school-record 15-game winning streak that earned the Bronchos their eighth national tournament appearance since 2000. Mike came to Edmond from Southern Nazarene -- his alma mater -- to start the UCO program in 1998 and is now a tidy 214-72-16 with the Bronchos.
Evans got to 200 wins in his 10th year at UCO, reaching that mark in December with a 79-68 victory over Arkansas Tech. Terry has had the two winningest seasons in school history (28 in 2007-08, 30 in 2010-11) and taken the Bronchos to the national tournament seven times in compiling a nifty 205-89 record with three games remaining this year.
It was the 350th career win for the 30-year skipper, putting him in rare air indeed. He became just the 40th coach in college wrestling history to reach that number and only the fifth in NCAA Division II.
James, a four-time All-American and two-time national champion for the Bronchos during his days as a competitor, is now 350-125-5 at UCO. Among those 350 wins are 56 over Division I teams, including such heavyweights as Michigan, Michigan State and Boise State. And 76 of his losses -- nearly 61 percent -- are to Division I teams, including powerhouses Iowa, Iowa State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Penn State.
D.J. has coached 12 national championship teams at UCO and been a seven-time national Coach of the Year honoree. He's had 45 individual national champions and 169 All-Americans. He's had more than 50 former wrestlers go on to become wrestling coaches themselves, many directing some of the best high school programs in Oklahoma and Texas.
In other words, Coach James is one of the coaching giants of his sport. Of any sport, really. And he deserves to be in the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.
• Two other UCO coaches have had milestone wins this year, with soccer head man Mike Cook and men's basketball mentor Terry Evans both reaching the 200-win plateau.
Cook did it early last fall with a 4-0 home shutout of Southwest Baptist to kick-start a school-record 15-game winning streak that earned the Bronchos their eighth national tournament appearance since 2000. Mike came to Edmond from Southern Nazarene -- his alma mater -- to start the UCO program in 1998 and is now a tidy 214-72-16 with the Bronchos.
Evans got to 200 wins in his 10th year at UCO, reaching that mark in December with a 79-68 victory over Arkansas Tech. Terry has had the two winningest seasons in school history (28 in 2007-08, 30 in 2010-11) and taken the Bronchos to the national tournament seven times in compiling a nifty 205-89 record with three games remaining this year.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Marching On
Take a glance at the bench before any UCO women's basketball game and what do you see? Head coach Guy Hardaker and assistant Bill Shaw busying themselves with last-minute game preparations. Nine players looking forward to the game, most looking relaxed and laughing.
But what else do you notice?
Well, there's the sweet-shooting Courtney Allen and do-everything Alyssa Fuxa, returning starters from last year's 22-10 team that made it to the Sweet 16. But they're not suited up. Neither is Tarrington Oakes, a key reserve at point guard last season.
Oh, and there's Kasey Tweed. Steady senior veteran, starter of the first nine games this season, but now in street clothes. And then you see Paiten Taylor, a potent inside force with her rebounding and scoring who started the first 12 games. Nope, she's not in uniform either.
And finally there's Britney Morgan. Started every game as a rookie last year and the first 19 games this winter at the point, running the UCO attack. She's in sweats, a bulky brace covering one knee.
Yep, that's six - seven counting Alex Richardson, who is also out - players sidelined by season-ending injury.
But what happened on this Saturday afternoon, when the Bronchos went against a Northeastern State team ranked sixth in the country with a 17-1 record and an 11-game winning streak? A UCO victory of course, 77-71 in overtime.
Never mind that five potential starters were on the bench. Forget that the Bronchos have had to constantly revamp their style of play, with players having to take on different roles than they're used to. Don't worry about freshmen being brought along slowly who all of a sudden are expected to play in crucial situations.
It's simply mind-boggling the amount of injuries the Bronchos have endured this year. It was bad last season, when Tweed, Taylor, Jill Bryan and Rachel New had to sit out, with Oakes going down midway through and Allen toward the end. But nothing like this season.
And still the Bronchos found a way to knock off the No. 6 team in the country. Amazing, to say the least. UCO is 13-8 with five games remaining, which I think is incredible, given what's happened this year.
Kudos to the Coach Hardaker and his staff for being positive, creating ways to stay competitive, not offering excuses. A big tip of the hat to Heather Davis and Savannah Hamilton and Jill Bryan and Rachel New and Autumn Huffman and Courtney Harper and Chelsea Robinson and Paige Locke and Chelsi Dennis, the players who come to the gym every day ready to work.
Those nine players know things would be different if their teammates were suited up with them. They know the record would be better, the playing time were be distributed differently, the roles they play on the court wouldn't be the same.
But that doesn't matter. They show up for the games and leave everything on the court, usually with a smile. And how cool is that?
But what else do you notice?
Well, there's the sweet-shooting Courtney Allen and do-everything Alyssa Fuxa, returning starters from last year's 22-10 team that made it to the Sweet 16. But they're not suited up. Neither is Tarrington Oakes, a key reserve at point guard last season.
Oh, and there's Kasey Tweed. Steady senior veteran, starter of the first nine games this season, but now in street clothes. And then you see Paiten Taylor, a potent inside force with her rebounding and scoring who started the first 12 games. Nope, she's not in uniform either.
And finally there's Britney Morgan. Started every game as a rookie last year and the first 19 games this winter at the point, running the UCO attack. She's in sweats, a bulky brace covering one knee.
Yep, that's six - seven counting Alex Richardson, who is also out - players sidelined by season-ending injury.
But what happened on this Saturday afternoon, when the Bronchos went against a Northeastern State team ranked sixth in the country with a 17-1 record and an 11-game winning streak? A UCO victory of course, 77-71 in overtime.
Never mind that five potential starters were on the bench. Forget that the Bronchos have had to constantly revamp their style of play, with players having to take on different roles than they're used to. Don't worry about freshmen being brought along slowly who all of a sudden are expected to play in crucial situations.
It's simply mind-boggling the amount of injuries the Bronchos have endured this year. It was bad last season, when Tweed, Taylor, Jill Bryan and Rachel New had to sit out, with Oakes going down midway through and Allen toward the end. But nothing like this season.
And still the Bronchos found a way to knock off the No. 6 team in the country. Amazing, to say the least. UCO is 13-8 with five games remaining, which I think is incredible, given what's happened this year.
Kudos to the Coach Hardaker and his staff for being positive, creating ways to stay competitive, not offering excuses. A big tip of the hat to Heather Davis and Savannah Hamilton and Jill Bryan and Rachel New and Autumn Huffman and Courtney Harper and Chelsea Robinson and Paige Locke and Chelsi Dennis, the players who come to the gym every day ready to work.
Those nine players know things would be different if their teammates were suited up with them. They know the record would be better, the playing time were be distributed differently, the roles they play on the court wouldn't be the same.
But that doesn't matter. They show up for the games and leave everything on the court, usually with a smile. And how cool is that?
Thursday, January 5, 2012
A New Beginning
To use a baseball term in reference to a football hiring, I'd say UCO hit a home run with Wednesday's announcement that former Broncho fullback Nick Bobeck would take over as the school's new head football coach. A two-out, bottom-of-the-ninth, walk-off grand slam at that.
Not to put any undue pressure on Nick, but this is the guy who can get the Bronchos back where they belong. And where UCO football belongs is among the NCAA Division II elite.
The Bronchos should field a team that annually competes with the best of the best in the rugged Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. UCO should be in the running for a playoff berth virtually every year. Nick Bobeck is the guy who can get those things done.
He can't do it alone and it won't happen overnight, but the history and tradition of the program -- nearly 600 wins, two national titles, 31 conference/division crowns -- demands that the Bronchos be successful.
It was an exciting time during Wednesday's press conference in the Wantland Stadium suites. The place was overflowing with school administrators and coaches, fans and media and -- most noteably -- former players. Guys who played with Nick when he wore No. 45 for the Bronchos from 1999-02 and others who were giddy with the thought of one of their own taking over the reigns of the program.
Guys like Buck Irwin, who played for the Bronchos in the late 1980s. And Max Tuepker, a four-year letterman from the mid-1970s. And Aaron Chester, whose career ended a year before Nick came to UCO. Teammates like Jess Loepp and Brandon Whiteley and John Fitzgerald and Tyler Griffin and B.J. Bender. Former athletic administrators like Skip Wagnon and Jeff McKibbin and Chuck Bailey.
All watching as the poised and polished Bobeck -- looking like he could still suit up and knock down a linebacker or two -- talked with great honesty and humility about his love for UCO and his excitement of getting back to his alma mater. How the university helped shape him as a man and a coach. How he's committed to getting the Bronchos back where they belong. How much he loves to teach and coach and mentor young men, to turn them not only into great football players but responsible members of society.
All waited as Nick went through various one-on-one media interviews following the press conference, wanting to share a handshake and a hug with the man they know will bring the Broncho family back together, with the wins to soon follow.
It was a scene I'll not soon forget. Watching a guy trot around the bases after knocking the ball out of the park to win the game is always something to savor.
Not to put any undue pressure on Nick, but this is the guy who can get the Bronchos back where they belong. And where UCO football belongs is among the NCAA Division II elite.
The Bronchos should field a team that annually competes with the best of the best in the rugged Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. UCO should be in the running for a playoff berth virtually every year. Nick Bobeck is the guy who can get those things done.
He can't do it alone and it won't happen overnight, but the history and tradition of the program -- nearly 600 wins, two national titles, 31 conference/division crowns -- demands that the Bronchos be successful.
It was an exciting time during Wednesday's press conference in the Wantland Stadium suites. The place was overflowing with school administrators and coaches, fans and media and -- most noteably -- former players. Guys who played with Nick when he wore No. 45 for the Bronchos from 1999-02 and others who were giddy with the thought of one of their own taking over the reigns of the program.
Guys like Buck Irwin, who played for the Bronchos in the late 1980s. And Max Tuepker, a four-year letterman from the mid-1970s. And Aaron Chester, whose career ended a year before Nick came to UCO. Teammates like Jess Loepp and Brandon Whiteley and John Fitzgerald and Tyler Griffin and B.J. Bender. Former athletic administrators like Skip Wagnon and Jeff McKibbin and Chuck Bailey.
All watching as the poised and polished Bobeck -- looking like he could still suit up and knock down a linebacker or two -- talked with great honesty and humility about his love for UCO and his excitement of getting back to his alma mater. How the university helped shape him as a man and a coach. How he's committed to getting the Bronchos back where they belong. How much he loves to teach and coach and mentor young men, to turn them not only into great football players but responsible members of society.
All waited as Nick went through various one-on-one media interviews following the press conference, wanting to share a handshake and a hug with the man they know will bring the Broncho family back together, with the wins to soon follow.
It was a scene I'll not soon forget. Watching a guy trot around the bases after knocking the ball out of the park to win the game is always something to savor.
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