By Kelly Stuart

The Lady Apaches have been practicing for an exciting softball season.

"Going into the season I am very optimistic about our team this year although the majority are exclusively all freshmen with the exception of two individuals," said coach Cory Tomasson.

There are a total of 12 girls on the team this season with no returning players. The roster includes freshmen Sara Bernabei, La Salle-Peru Township High school, outfielder; Tahnee Cochran, Illini Bluffs, pitcher and second base; Jen Dischler, Ottawa High School, outfielder; Lana Gambiani, Hall High School, third and pitcher; Lindsay Hammers, L-P, designated hitter and catcher; Melissa Konrath, Serena High School, second; Casey Novotney, Streator, shortstop; Megan Rowe, L-P, first base; Brooke Schneider, Marquette, outfielder; Christina Youngsma, Ottawa, catcher; and Elizabeth Zemann, St. Bede, designated hitter and first base; and sophomore Jamie Schwarz, Ottawa, pitcher.

"I think that their past experience, their desire to play the game and their knowledge of the game will be very beneficial," said Tomasson.

The Lady Apaches have been practicing in the upper gym of IVCC or, when weather permits, on the softball field.

"They are a very talented group of players and within practice they demonstrated the ability to come together as a team," the coach said

The Lady Apaches started off the season competing in five games at the Disney World Spring Training in Orlando, Fla.

The team played games Monday, March 6, two games March 7 and one game March 8. Practices were within the facilities. There are four diamonds and batting tunnels in Disney World.

Tomasson replaced Bill Forrest, who resigned at the end of the 1999 season.

He gained his coaching experience as an assistant softball coach for a women’s softball team in Princeville and also worked with IVCC’s softball teams in the past. He umpired both American Softball Association and Illinois High School Association games for five years.

Tomasson played baseball for four years at Mid-County High School (currently Midland).