By: by Scott Lipsky
KENNESAW, Ga. – Despite frigid temperatures and remnants of snow covering campus, the feel of spring was in the air as the Kennesaw State softball team hit the field for their first practice of the season on Monday afternoon.
The 2010 version of the Owls took the field at Bailey Park at 2:00 p.m. and practiced with the prospect of NCAA Division I postseason competition looming in front of them for the first time in program history. The Owls are eligible for the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament as well as the NCAA Division I Championship tournament beginning this season, as KSU successfully completed its four-year reclassification from Division II to Division I last summer.
The afternoon temperatures crept above the freezing mark as the Owls took the field for a two-hour session. The Black and Gold went through the rigors of the season’s first gathering, participating in stretching and throwing exercises, as well as fielding and batting practice.
“Today we are going to shake it out, take some swings and see where we are,” head coach Scott Whitlock said prior to the practice session. “I expect everyone to be in fairly decent shape, but I know we have some work to do before the seasons starts.”
The Owls will open up the season on Feb. 13 when they play Wright State in the KSU Classic in Woodstock, Ga. The opening weekend will also see the Black and Gold playing South Dakota State, Indiana and Jacksonville State.
