Jennifer Harrigan

Past Entries

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April 26, 2004

Well, the regular season officially came to an end last Sunday with a beautiful Senior Day celebration and two solid victories against Maryville.

The entire ballpark was decked out in its finest blue and gold, thanks to the tireless work of Angie Duprey, the Sports Marketing and Promotions Coordinator for the Athletics and Recreation Department. Thanks to her and her staff, we were able to celebrate Kids Day, too, with a cookout, face painting, drawing, a scavenger hunt, remote-control car races and a raffle for free enrollment in an Emory Softball Summer Camp.

Many of our best fans--that is, our parents--were able to be in town to see this dazzling finish of our regular season. Most importantly, the parents of our two graduating seniors were here with their daughters for the ceremony before the games. Liz Hampson was joined at home plate by her parents and brother, and Nicole Kovski stood with her mom and dad as the team lined up behind them holding the gifts that would soon be presented.

Coach said a few words about the amazing athletic contributions of each of these fantastic ballplayers and then turned the microphone over to two of the junior captains. Christine O'Brien spoke about her friend, Liz, and how much she has given of herself to this program. Mary's speech to "Ski" made us all laugh, of course, as that dynamic duo has been the team's comic relief for the past three years.

We laughed, but the good old gold uniforms of No. 15 and No. 6 definitely had a few wet spots on them. From the time Liz got to the locker room (she's almost always the first one there) and saw her locker decorated with balloons and streamers, to the hugs after the speeches and gifts, the water works were on.

Ali Bouknight and Sarah Morse put together a beautiful scrapbook for each of the seniors, which included a page specially decorated by every player. Katie Donovan helped me present two bouquets to each senior--one of balloons and one of flowers. The helium-filled smiley face bobbed in the wind as we handed over a bouquet of blue delphiniums, gold mums and four white roses to symbolize each year they gave to Emory Softball.

We hope that these games won't be the last for these two wonderful women. We're all keeping our fingers crossed for a bid to the NCAA national tournament. The team experienced a crescendo towards the end of the season. In the last fifteen games, we only had one loss.

Notably, though, we really came together as a team during this past week. From the bonding over the fundraisers for next year's winter trip to sifting through the dirt around home plate for Ali's missing earring (Thanks for "saving an argument," G-wack!), the love and friendship we have been developing all season for each other showed on the field of play. I know I will never forget the 2004 Emory softball team and our season together. I can't wait to see where we go from here!

Jennifer Harrigan is a junior from Indian Harbour Beach, Fla. She would love to answer e-mail questions from Emory recruits and fans.