'Belles weather the storms, remain No 1 in Nation
By: Michael Whitson, Sports Editor
Issue date: 4/3/09 Section: Sports
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Eight games on last week's schedule resulted in only a single victory for the nation-leading Rambelles, with seven games being lost to inclement weather.
"It was really a disappointment with the way we were playing," Coach Travis Scott said. "We really needed to get back on the field."
Wednesday, March 25 the 'Belles were set to host a double header against Incarnate Word, but storms in San Angelo caused the cancellation of the games.
This past weekend's Lone Star Conference Crossover Tournament that was to be played in Durant, Okla., fell victim to storms as well, leaving the team with only one game played over the last two weeks.
The 'Belles took full advantage of the opportunity to play on Friday, beating the 25th-ranked Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M 7-3 in Tushka, Okla. before heading back to San Angelo.
The game was scheduled just hours before the teams took the field, after learning of the tournament's cancellation.
"It was snowing in Amarillo and they (West Texas A&M) couldn't go home anyway," Scott said. "Just north of Durant, they didn't get much rain at all... and they were able to accommodate us."
Junior Chelsea Nelson (18-2, 2.65 ERA) picked up her league leading 18th win of the season in the six-inning affair, striking out four without allowing a walk.
"I was surprised to be leading the LSC," Nelson said. "I wouldn't have half of those wins without the great hitting and defense that we are having this year."
Offensively, the 'Belles were led by junior Nicole Smith and freshman Sandy James, who both went 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs in the game.
One of Smith's three hits drove in a run to put ASU in front for good, while James added to her record-setting home run total with her 21st of the season.
In the 6th inning, the detection of lightning forced a forty-five minute delay and eventually caused the game to be called.
The No.1 ranked 'Belles return to action this weekend, weather permitting, to host 16th ranked Abilene Christian at the ASU Softball Complex.
"There is no love lost," Scott said. "I won't make any bones about it, they don't care for us and we don't care for them, typical Abilene Christian and Angelo State, it's a rival and they are going to come in here and give us everything they got."
The teams are scheduled to play a three-game series. Friday the first pitch is set for 7 p.m., with a double header on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.
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