Kashow's crew looks for four more wins

Asha MaliakalAsha MaliakalThe Daily Pennsylvanian They started it off with their doubleheader split with La Salle and then sweeping Wednesday's double header against West Chester, Penn is working to keep that momentum going in their double headers against Division I, Delaware, Saturday and Rider at home Sunday. The Quakers this year are building and learning with each game. Looking forward from their doubleheader against Michigan State back in Florida, Penn has gained a lot of confidence that is helping it muster and regroup when tight bottom-of-the- seventh situations occur. "We need to learn to stay in a game," Penn coach Carol Kashow said. "And come back if somebody comes back and hang in there and have faith to do things when it counts. That is another step in the right direction." With a shutout score of 5-0, Penn was beaten by Delaware earlier this year during "fall-ball." "I think we have come a long way," senior tri-captain Jen Strawley said. "I think we were still getting acclimated to a new system and a new coach, and a lot of that has started to come together especially in the last two weeks. I think that we have taken a lot of strides and I am sure that they have improved. We have a lot of momentum going with us now." But the playing field was not completely level last fall, because Delaware was allowed more practices before the fall meeting. Ivy League rules dictate that only a certain number of practices, approximately one or two a week, can be held by teams within the pre-season. Delaware, on the other hand, has no such restrictions and is allowed to work their team five days a week. Delaware comes out of the competitive American East Conference and the Quakers are looking forward to some tough competition. "Delaware is a good team and they play in a pretty good conference," Strawley said. "I think that if we continue to play the way we have been playing, we'll be in the game and have a pretty good shot to take some from them." Kashow is particularly looking out for the Fightin' Blue Hens behind the plate. "They scored five runs on us, so they hit the ball well against us in the fall," said Kashow. "And I think that that will change a little bit again. Our pitchers have much more practice under their belts now." Kashow is also pushing her team to tighten its defense. She is looking to lower the average number of errors her team puts out each game. Kashow feels that her team is settling in as shown by the minimal number of errors in Wednesday's double header. She is hoping that through a tight field and a strong pitching staff, the team will be able to silent the Fightin' Blue Hens' bats. The Quakers, though, are starting to come alive at the plate, scoring 15 runs in their last three games. Kashow is working her team hard to be consistent and sure of their basics, from consistently putting them at the plate in practice and getting bunts down to getting their slides and steals under control. "They are working and working," Kashow continued. "And now they are putting it in the game. It is becoming second nature and they don't even have to think about it." With their current success, the Quakers are patting themselves on the back, but they are not letting it go to their heads. Continued hard work and some good solid softball this weekend should keep them where they want to be. "At this point in time we are very pleased," Kashow said. "Obviously we have a lot more to do, but we are walking where we need to go and the longest journey starts with a single step."