UMassHoops.com

Berkman · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 10:11 pm Post subject: 2011 Softball starts

Softball started practice on Monday. At least we have something positive to look forward to.

http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/011111aaa.html

sasso72 · Junior Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 289

It is truly amazing the job Coach Sortino has done with the UMass softball program. Here it is January in New England, two feet of snow on the ground and she has her nationally ranked Minutewomen in Boyden gymnasium while other programs are outdoors and have been practically playing all year round. Here is a coach who has 1100 wins, all at UMass, ranks 5th nationally in all-time wins and has been inducted into the women's softball Hall of Fame. How has she accomplished so much with all the obstacles she has to face? I think the answer is WIN, WIN, WIN. She understands that winning is the only way to build a successful program and she found a way to win consistently and now she reaps the rewards of being able to recruit softball players from California and Oregon and the cream of the crop in New Englnad. There have been a handful of coaches,that I remember, at UMass that understood this concept of winning, Coach Garber, Calipari, Ford and Sowry come to mind. I wish more coaches had this intensity and desire to win but I guess it's a gift, not something one can learn. Anyway, enough ranting, Kudos to Coach Sortino and her program and best of luck in the upcoming season.
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"Rocks bands will come and rock bands will go but rock and roll will go on forever."- Ray Davies

Swampy · Hall of Fame Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 2446

Jack Leaman was a pretty intense guy, just sayin'.

sasso72 · Junior Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 289

Swampy, you're right Jack should definitely be on that list.
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"Rocks bands will come and rock bands will go but rock and roll will go on forever."- Ray Davies

Old Cage · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 1:57 pm Post subject:

Top of my "intense" list - Mad Matt Zunic. Good enough of a coach to get us to The Dance in 1962, a minor miracle.

Loved and respected by his players - not so much. Smile

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"Jack didn’t have any envy in him," Calipari said. "He was the greatest coach to ever coach here."

Berkman · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 5:04 pm Post subject:

Didn't get to see Mad Matt Zunic because Jack was the coach when I went to my first game. However my friend who I had season tickets with starting with the 69-70 season told me some tales. He said that in one game Zunic got so upset after arguing with a ref at one game, probably got "T'D', and he went over to the scorers table and flipped it over. Obviously he got run out of the game. Had to be early 60's as my friend graduated in 62. I am sure that some of you old timers can confirm that episode. They both belong on that list.

NDIrishUMassFan · Sophomore Joined: 16 Dec 2006 Posts: 219 Location: Amherst

For softball fans, I stumbled upon this
http://atlantic10softball.blogspot.com/

And we should contribute to the poll asking who will win the A10 it is heavily skewed towards Fordham right now

InnervisionsUMASS · Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 6:16 pm Post subject:

haha, 11 people have voted! Razz

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Stop waiting for UMass to do something big and help UMass do something big. - Shades

MassMan06 · Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 6:42 pm Post subject:

Interesting that Fordham was picked higher in both national polls.

Old Cage · Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:09 pm Post subject:

It's all about the pitching:

http://www.fordham.edu/campus_resources/enewsroom/inside_fordham/april_19_2010/sports_75087.asp
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"Jack didn’t have any envy in him," Calipari said. "He was the greatest coach to ever coach here."

NDIrishUMassFan · Sophomore Joined: 16 Dec 2006 Posts: 219 Location: Amherst

NDIrishUMassFan · Sophomore Joined: 16 Dec 2006 Posts: 219 Location: Amherst

A10 didn't do so hot this weekend
http://atlantic10softball.blogspot.com/2011/02/season-preview-umass.html
http://atlantic10softball.blogspot.com/2011/02/sunday-results.html

Swampy · Hall of Fame Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 2446

UMass gets Fordham right in the middle of a long homestand at the end of April. Nice scheduling, after the 20th they are home except for one short trip to Rhody.

Received my ticket application in the mail last week. With the mounds of snow and ice I can't believe they'll be playing on campus in six weeks!

Berkman · Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 12:27 pm Post subject:

Off to a great start. Lead Penn St. 2-0 after the first half inning. Sarah is pitching for us.

Berkman · Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 1:06 pm Post subject:

We are up 4-0 after 3 1/2.