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| Appalachian adds Hurley to pitching
lineup, looks for season improvement |
Jennifer Brannock
Sports Beat |
“Hurling”
a large, rock-hard collaboration of cork and leather past a mystified
batter may seem like a challenge to most, but to Appalachian State
University’s newest softball pitcher, it’s all in a day’s
work.
Jennifer Hurley, a 5-foot-4-inch sophomore from
Asheboro, joined Appalachian’s softball program last month
following her transfer from Liberty University after only one year.
While at Liberty, Hurley started in 33 games and
boasted an earned run average of 2.93. Despite a 14-19 record, Hurley
struck out 140 batters in 229 and one-third innings and played 20
complete games.
Hurley garnered two Tri-County 3A Conference Player-of-the-Year
awards in 1999 and 2001 while playing at Southwestern Randolph High
School. Hurley was also named area player of the year in 2001 after
leading her team to victory in the state championships during her
senior year.
“It’s the thrill of wanting to be the best at something
and working really hard at it,” said Hurley regarding her success
in softball.
Hurley’s pitching skills are concentrated in movement of the
ball and not necessarily speed. Hurley will concentrate solely on
pitching and will not play in any other position.
Head coach Willie Rucker feels Hurley will prove to be an outstanding
addition to the Mountaineer softball team.
“She’s a very talented pitcher,” said Rucker. “She’s
very consistent and very supportive of the team even when she’s
not in the game. She always gives 100 percent.”
Rucker made a previous attempt to recruit Hurley while she was still
in high school, but Hurley had already committed to play at Liberty
the following year. At the end of her first year at Liberty, Hurley
chose to make the move to the mountains after not feeling a connection
with the school.
“I didn’t like it at Liberty,” said Hurley. “It
didn’t feel too homey to me. I didn’t feel like it clicked
with me.”
Hurley first began playing softball early on when she discovered
a love of athletics and a particular knack for the sport.
“I just wanted to be involved in something, so I just started
playing softball,” said Hurley. “It seemed to be one of
my best sports, and so I just wanted to excel in that one and do
the best I can.”
Hurley began playing fast-pitch softball in high school and found
it to be more enjoyable and faster paced than slow-pitch softball.
“Fast-pitch is more like baseball,” said Hurley. “It’s
not so slow, and it’s just more exciting.”
While playing for Liberty, Hurley was not given the opportunity
to participate in the batting order due to her being one of only
two pitchers on the staff. Early in the season, Hurley was the only
pitcher for Liberty, while the team’s only other pitcher recovered
from surgery.
Rucker is uncertain as to if or when Hurley will hit but wants to
extend the opportunity to her before appointing a designated hitter
to bat in her place. Hurley is excited about the prospect of hitting
in the lineup and said she missed that aspect of the game while
at Liberty.
Hurley is one of four pitchers highlighting the Mountaineer’s
roster this year. Hurley joins sophomore Jordan Arnold, freshman
Heather Bradbury and recent transfer from Radford University, freshman
Marie Watson.
Hurley knows she will not see as much game time at Appalachian due
to the abundance of pitchers, but feels the periods of rest will
prove beneficial in resting her arm. Rucker is uncertain as to where
Hurley will fit into the pitching rotation and plans to observe
her interaction with the team throughout training.
Rucker feels confident the team’s 11-45 record last season
will only improve this year, and the addition of Hurley will aid
the team in their quest for a winning season.
“We’re really hopeful that we’re going to turn that
record around this year,” said Rucker. “We now have three
years under our belt. We have a core group of juniors and with the
addition of Jennifer [Hurley], I expect we’ll be very competitive
next year.”
Hurley and the Mountaineer softball team will play in their first
tournament in Boone on Oct. 6 at Watauga High School. |
| Mountaineers adapt to life without
senior quarterback Joe Burchette |
Jennifer Brannock
Staff Writer |
Despite the temporary loss
of starting quarterback senior Joe Burchette, Appalachian State
University head football coach Jerry Moore is optimistic about
his team’s performance this season.
Obvious concern has been voiced regarding the
momentary absence of Burchette, who is recovering from recent
back surgery, and how his injury will affect the team. Burchette
is a fifth year senior who has started at quarterback since mid-season
in 2000 and has led the Mountaineers to a 4-2 record in the I-AA
playoffs.
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