Return
to the "POINTER VIEW"July 26, 2002
Return
to the "POINTER VIEW"
July
26, 2002
Junior hurler Ashlie Christian was elected by her teammates to provide the leadership for the Army softball team for the 2002-03 season. Christian, who helped lead Army to the Patriot League title and automatic NCAA bid in the spring, succeeds Nicki Robbins as the team captain.
Army’s "Rookie of the Year" in 2001, Christian blossomed into one of the top hurlers in the Patriot League this past spring. She ranked among the leaders throughout the year, tying with teammate Shauna Evans at season’s end for the lead in ERA with identical 1.24 marks. Excelling as well in the classroom, Christian was among Army’s 31 spring athletes named to the Patriot League honor roll.
The Idaho native, after jumping out to a 5-1 start, finished 7-5 on the year. She issued only 14 walks in 90.2 innings and was touched for just nine extra-base hits. She appeared in 22 games with 16 starts, including her first NCAA appearance in drawing the starting nod versus Arkansas at the NCAA Regional Tournament.
"I have a lot of confidence in her and feel she is up to the challenge," said coach Jim Flowers. "Ashlie always has a smile on her face and a positive attitude, even when things are not going well.
"Ashlie has fine leadership abilities, is open minded and can see the big picture. When you put all those things together, I feel she will be ready to meet the challenge and lead the team to many successes."
Christian is the third junior to captain the squad. The last to do so was Colleen McCabe in 1990.