GOOD KNIGHT - LMC Softball

SOFTBALL
Good Knight
LMC Women Sweep Glen Oaks on a Pair of Shutouts

by Darren Phillips - Herald Palladium Sports Writer

Katie Knight has been to the top of Lake Michigan College as a player - now she wants to get there as a coach. Knight, the Indians' first year head coach, played for the LMC team that finished fourth nationally in 2000. She hopes to instill the confidence that such a run is possible in her team. "It helps to be able to say, 'I did it, you guys can do it,' " Knight said.

If the Indians are to make any kind of run, pitching should be a strong point. Lake Michigan College hurlers Mandi Rodriquez and Courtney Goldschmeding threw a pair of shutouts Thursday as the Indians blanked Glen Oaks 7-0 and 8-0. Rodriguez, a freshman from St. Joseph, threw a four-hitter and struck out 13 in the opener. Goldschmeding gave up four hits in the first two innings of the second game but stranded the four runners. After yielding a leadoff single in the third, she retired the Vikings' final nine batters. The game ended after five innings on the college softball eight-run mercy rule.

"That's how we usually work," Knight said. "Mandi will throw the first game and Courtney will throw the second. Mandi has speed and a good riseball I think that's what half her strikeouts were on. Her riseball is actually faster than her fastball because she pushes off harder on it. It's good to have a hard thrower and then come back with someone who doesn't throw as hard. Courtney hits the corners really well."

The matchup with Glen Oaks was an enjoyable one for Knight and the Indians in another way, as the Vikings are coached by LMC graduate Holly Seales. Knight and Seales both played for the Indians in 1999 for head coach Kathy Leitke, who now coaches at Western Michigan. "We were roommates too," Knight said. "We still have a great friendship." Seales was the first baseman for the Indians and Knight was the catcher.

The current Indians showed some strong hitting to support the pitching on Thursday. Loren Westlake drove doubles into the left-center field gap in both games and Jessica Frucci had six hits in six at-bats hitting in the No. 9 spot. "I have her down there for a reason," Knight said. "I would say we have a pretty solid lineup." Thursday's shutouts were the fourth and fifth of the season for the Indians, who improved to 10 and 8 and host Ancilla College on Saturday.

Knight, of course, will be there to guide the Indians, something she hopes to keep doing for a considerable time. "This is my dream job," Knight said. "I love it. Hopefully I'll be here for a while. I can't imagine doing anything else, and it's a good group of girls to coach. We only have 11 girls, and it helps that we gel together really well.