2008 Woodie Awards
The Daily OrangeSB | Kelley listens to freshman, goes on torrid hitting streak
By Michael Bonner
Posted: 4/3/08, 11:48 PM EST Section: Sports
"It's more just being comfortable," Kelley said. "And just knowing no matter what they are going to bring, it's being selective. That's the big thing, waiting for that pitch that's going to come and getting the best possible chance for yourself."
Gibbs wasn't the only one trying to help out Kelley. Syracuse head coach Leigh Ross projected Kelley as the team's future cleanup hitter, so she knew the third-year player had great offensive ability. Ross saw Kelley's defensive swings and told her not to be afraid stepping to the plate, there's a strong possibility the pitcher is much more intimidated.
"My gosh, the size of the kid. I mean, pitchers when she walks up there, she's 6-foot-1, (I said) you're a strong athlete," Ross said. "People do not want to throw to you. They somehow have to get a ball past this 17-inch plate and past you. And that's tough, when you're taking up of that batter's box. You're just intimidating to look at. So start playing that way."
Kelley did and has propelled herself to the top of the team's batting statistics, including average (.346), home runs (six), slugging percentage, (.615), and on-base percentage (.414). She not only leads those categories but has a distinct advantage over the second-best players.
Kelley leads by 19 points in batting average, doubles the next player in line in home runs and leads slugging percentage by a staggering 165 points.
Ask Kelley, though, and she may not even realize all the success she is having. She's dominating offensively, but the statistical side of softball isn't why she plays.
Kelly may have no problem producing those statistics, though, it's just calculating them which can be a problem - so she keeps it easy.
"Stats I don't (get into), I mean people say stuff but I don't," Kelley said. "I don't follow. I was just asking (Nicole Miller) what slugging percentage is. I don't know how they calculate that. It's pretty much just set a goal for myself. You know just get one hit a game."
mibonner@syr.edu
Gibbs wasn't the only one trying to help out Kelley. Syracuse head coach Leigh Ross projected Kelley as the team's future cleanup hitter, so she knew the third-year player had great offensive ability. Ross saw Kelley's defensive swings and told her not to be afraid stepping to the plate, there's a strong possibility the pitcher is much more intimidated.
"My gosh, the size of the kid. I mean, pitchers when she walks up there, she's 6-foot-1, (I said) you're a strong athlete," Ross said. "People do not want to throw to you. They somehow have to get a ball past this 17-inch plate and past you. And that's tough, when you're taking up of that batter's box. You're just intimidating to look at. So start playing that way."
Kelley did and has propelled herself to the top of the team's batting statistics, including average (.346), home runs (six), slugging percentage, (.615), and on-base percentage (.414). She not only leads those categories but has a distinct advantage over the second-best players.
Kelley leads by 19 points in batting average, doubles the next player in line in home runs and leads slugging percentage by a staggering 165 points.
Ask Kelley, though, and she may not even realize all the success she is having. She's dominating offensively, but the statistical side of softball isn't why she plays.
Kelly may have no problem producing those statistics, though, it's just calculating them which can be a problem - so she keeps it easy.
"Stats I don't (get into), I mean people say stuff but I don't," Kelley said. "I don't follow. I was just asking (Nicole Miller) what slugging percentage is. I don't know how they calculate that. It's pretty much just set a goal for myself. You know just get one hit a game."
mibonner@syr.edu
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