ORIGINALLY WRITTEN ERIC CLARK
Last season it took the Tabor softball team almost 40 games before they won seven. This season, coach Donovan Nelson and his team have equaled last season’s win total in almost half the time.
Along the way, the Bluejays finished fourth among 10 teams at the Sterling College Tournament this past weekend. Nelson said Tabor’s winning ways are a direct reflection of his players’ attitudes and work ethic.
“I think we’re realizing it’s time to start stepping up,” Nelson said, “because we’ve realized that we’ve already done what we did last year. Now it’s time to take that next step.”
The Bluejays did exactly that by rattling off three wins in the first day of the tournament.
Tabor picked up a 5-0 win over Hesston College, a 15-1 victory over Oklahoma Wesleyan, and an 8-0 win over Central Christian.
Tabor lost Saturday’s semifinal matchup with Sterling, 7-4. The Jays then lost to Haskell in the third-place game, 2-0.
“I was pleased with the way the tournament went,” Nelson said.
The play of juniors Misty Collins and Jennie Ewertt has been key for the Bluejays. Collins, a third baseman, was named “Co-player of the Week” by the KCAC for the first week of the season and Ewertt was named the KCAC’s “Pitcher of the Week.”
Collins and Ewertt received sole honors for their respective positions in the second week of play as well.
Saint Mary-Tabor Split games with KCAC powerhouse Saint Mary College last Wednesday in Leavenworth.
The Bluejays won the first game of the doubleheader, 1-0, then lost the second game, 5-2.
Coming-The Bluejays are 1-1 in the KCAC and 7-12 overall.
Tabor hosts Ottawa University today at 4 p.m.m then travels to Bartlesville, Okla., next Tuesday to battle Bartlesville Wesleyan.