Posted on April 2, 2007
As they begin the grind of conference play, the JMU softball team has momentum in its favor, and senior leadership to work with.
One key ingredient to Madison’s (17-13) early success and run at unseating Colonial Athletic Association five-time defending champion, Hofstra, has come in the form of 5-foot-8 senior shortstop Katie George.
George has elevated her game in her final season as a Duke to lead or share the lead in batting average, runs scored, hits, doubles, triples, total basesand stolen bases. Sixth-year head coach Katie Flynn knows that George is going to need to do more than hit softballs to help guide JMU to a CAA title.
“Probably the biggest area we’re pleased with is her leadership,” Flynn said. “Her commitment level and desire is displayed every day and it’s contagious.”
Since her freshman season, George has been anchoring the infield, but much has changed since the first time she donned the purple and gold.
In her first year, George excelled with a supporting cast that included her older sister Liz George, a former CAA player of the year. The younger sister was CAA player of the year. The younger sister was named All-CAA second-team as a shortstop and was twice honored as CAA Player of the Week.
“My most memorable moments were my freshman and sophomore years when my sister was here,” George said. “We’re really close, definitely one of the reasons I came here.”
But without her older sister, George and the Dukes faltered last season, going 24-38 and missing the conference tournament. George is looking to turn things around this year by taking after the example Liz gave her.
“She always gave 100 percent because she didn’t get much playing time her freshman and sophomore years,” George said. “She could’ve quit, so I definitely would want her work ethic.”
Another person that George gives credit to for helping her get where she is today is Flynn.
“She’s taught me to be mentally tough,” George said. “There are games I’ve played poorly on defense and she’s kept me in there and forced me to work through it.”
The confidence Flynn instilled in her star shortstop has allowed George to overcome her troubles with defense, allowing her to stay in the game and provide her steady batting at the lead-off spot.
Prior to this weekend’s series with Georgia State, George had 13 errors, the second highest total on the team.
“I got off to a rough start, about half of my errors came in the first two tournaments,” George said. “I was used to being indoors [because of weather] and the bounces are faster.”
Overcoming her early season mistakes has helped George instill confidence in her teammates when they find themselves in a rut.
“I definitely look for her leadership when mistakes are made,” sophomore pitcher Meredith Felts said. “If I’m not doing as well on the mound, she’s the first to come settle me down and give me confidence.”
In addition to her positive outlook, George’s overall play at the plate makes her stand out. She has led the team to third in the CAA in batting average this year, after finishing sixth last season.
The team is 2-3 in conference play through Saturday’s doubleheader, but Flynn is still confident that when the games are close George will be there to step up and turn those games into victories.
“I’m very comfortable she’ll swing at good pitches, and battle and challenge the other pitcher,” Flynn said. “If she continues on the pace she’s on, there’s no question she’ll make it [all-conference]. She’s one of the best players in the conference.”
The pitching staff agrees is just as confident in their captain as Flynn and find relief, knowing she’s behind them.
“It helps a lot knowing if you give up a run that she’s a good hitter and fielder as well,” Felts said.”Its good to know that her bat’s behind you.”
Before this weekend’s series George had the twelfth best batting average in the CAA.
