Freshmen Eberhardt, Linert bring power to plate, mound respectively
By Matt PetersenSports Editor, The VOICE
"I'm going to be depending on my freshmen to contribute a lot," coach Rebecca Schweitzer confessed before the 2009 season opened.
"Dependable" doesn't begin to do justice when describing their contributions.
Second baseman Jennifer Eberhardt leads the team with a .508 batting average. Her 63 hits on the year rank fifth in the conference.
The former Peoria High School standout's reasons for choosing Glendale Community College were simple and unambiguous.
"I wanted to stay close to home, and they seemed like they had a pretty good softball team."
Her goals for the season are more ambitious.
"I want to keep my batting average above .500 and keep getting on base," Eberhardt said.
Pitcher/right fielder Kirsten Linert has made an equally impressive splash coming on for the Gauchos this year.
Two starts, two wins, and 26 strikeouts and a no-hitter made up a dominant stretch for the Idaho St. transfer student last week. Linert is third in the conference with 119 strikeouts so far this season.
Linert's success at Glendale is a welcome relief after finding out that Idaho St. wasn't where she wanted to be.
"I didn't think it was for me. I wasn't happy, and I didn't think I was going to get anwhere there."
While her reasons for transferring may have been caused by unhappiness, Schweitzer is ecstatic to have her in a Gaucho uniform.
Eberhardt and Linert have share a common affection for one of the team's greatest strengths: chemistry.
"We all get along no matter what," Linert said. "I think it's a really close team, and that's really hard to find when you put different people together all at once."
As impressive as their impact has been in their first season with Glendale, Schweitzer isn't necessarily surprised.
"They've met my expectations. I don't think they've surprised me. I always expect a lot out of everyone."
Please send comments to mnpetersen@gccvoice.com
