Q&A With Linda Kalafatis – Ohio State Buckeyes
5/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 18, 2006
You went from playing in rain and temperatures in the high 40s last week in Evanston to temperatures in the mid-90s this week. Any concern there?
“I think our kids are looking forward to it. From a physiological standout we have to keep them hydrated, so we are stressing that, but I think we’re looking forward to the heat.”
Of all the teams that have to travel a long distance, at least Ohio State is in a region where quite a few of its players are from. Does that help?
“Certainly it gives us the ability to have a nice little family atmosphere. In that way it helps us. Travel always comes into play. We’re still in school, though, so it makes it tough because we have to leave earlier. I get the sense that our kids are focused here and looking forward to the opportunity to represent the Big Ten and Ohio State and a bunch of them are excited that their families gets to come and watch them.”
The Big Ten has six teams in the NCAA tournament but has had only two in the national polls the last two months of the season. Do you look at this as a chance for the conference to make a statement?
“I think the Big Ten has prepared us to face anyone, both from a pitching perspective and from the hitters we have faced. We have a lot of respect for the SEC and of course the Pac-10, and in addition to Arizona being No. 1, Auburn has been nationally ranked all year too – I think as high as No. 17. Those are media polls, though, and I don’t know who does the voting but maybe they don’t see a whole lot of Big Ten games.”
Arizona moved back up to No. 1 in the national poll Tuesday. Along with No. 24 Auburn and MAAC champ Marist, do you think OSU is perhaps one of the toughest regions?
“All the regions have really good teams, so our focus just has to be getting past Auburn in game-one. Arizona is who they are. It helps that we have played them this year so there is some familiarity there. They have a strong fan base, as well. We have to make sure we take care of business on the field as best we can. What’s on paper never won any games.
“The Big Ten has prepared us and we deserve to be here. We always step up against our better opponents. At this point in the year, we are who we are. We don’t always play great defense and we aren’t always as consistent in the circle as I would like, but our bats pick us up. It’s been said that you win with your strengths and lose with your weaknesses, so I hope our strengths carry us this weekend.”
### Go Bucks! ###
