simply the best! - Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

coming on a Jennifer Miller two-out
double, scoring Angie Wright and
Gina Rizzardi.
“This was such a team effort,”
said Tschida, whose team closed out
the season winning 16 straight and
27 of their last 28 to finish with a 40-
6 overall record. “We had a complete
team of 19 players, all of whom
came through at different times during
the season. We didn’t have to
rely on one or two players to carry
us — everyone carried each other.
“How does it feel?” Tschida continued.
“That’s hard to put into
words.”
“Unbelievable” works.
So does “unreal, incredible” and
“a dream come true.” ≠
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Smith also took turns at the podium,
and the team recited an Army-drillstyle
song it came up with to sing
while running through the hills during
practice.
Smith, who was named to the
all-tournament team after going 4-0
with a 1.04 ERA, called the past
week “unbelievable’’ for herself and
the team.
“We set our goal for this, and to
accomplish that goal, it’s so satisfying,’’
said Smith, who carried the
championship trophy into the gym.
“We put our heart and soul into
everything. Every day, everybody
just went out and competed.”
“This hasn’t been a dream, it’s
been more of a goal,’’ said senior
second baseman Kateri Eddy, who
assisted on the final out of the
championship game. “It’s overwhelming
to realize how much work
went into this.”
The usually stoic Tschida was
smiling and high-fiving for much of
the ceremony.
“It’s not easy to play for me and
it’s not easy to be national champions,’’
Tschida said. “They made a lot
of commitments and had to do what
a lot of other people didn’t do, but
now they can stand as national champions.”
Tschida said the most gratifying
moment for him was celebrating
after the game Sunday.
“Obviously, it’s a proud moment
seeing our ladies afterwards,’’ he said.
“Not only that we won, but that they
played with pride and confidence.We
talk about taking the bull by the
horns and they went down there and
did that and it was fun to see.”
The ceremony was also a goodbye
to the Cardinals’ four seniors —
Smith, Eddy, Jessica Truhlar and
Angie Wright.
“It’s kind of a coincidence,’’
Eddy said. “I think it leads to a challenge
to the underclassmen to do it
again, three or four times for the
freshmen. We want the program to
stay strong after we’re gone.”
Eddy should get her wish. Next
season, SMU brings back all-tournament
players Jennifer Miller, Jackie
Huegel, Laura Miller and Jennifer
Meyer, as well as All-American Jill
Hocking.
Coach John Tschida and the women’s softball team thank
the welcome-home crowd for the rousing reception May 23.
SUMMER 2000 23