MVL won't be pushed around in 2001

By BOB VARMETTE

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- There's a new attitude at Minnesota Valley Lutheran and new coach Jim Buboltz wants everyone to know the Chargers are going to be a different team -- a team that opponents can't assume a win from, a team that opponents can't 10-run every game.

Buboltz, who also is the Chargers' football coach, plans to bring a little bit of a football mentality to the Chargers for 2001. He said the first step toward becoming a competitive team starts with attitude.

"The attitude of the girls is the first thing I've had to change," Buboltz said. "When I mentioned one game I'd seen, I believe it was a 42-6 loss ... a couple of the girls, I even saw smiles on their faces. And I said, 'That's not funny. You're laughing at yourself.'

"It starts with us. Pride first and pride in the program, and I believe I've been able to instill that pride in the program in them."

The new attitude was seconded by sophomore pitcher Jennie Burt.

"I'm excited," Burt said. "It seems like things are going good for us. Last year was disappointing. It was very discouraging because we'd have one bad game and then it seemed it just went into another and another."

Buboltz and the Chargers, who went 3-17 in 2000, have no illusions, though. They play in the notoriously tough Tomahawk Conference -- a conference that has two of its members ranked in the Top 10 of the Minnesota Fastpitch Coaches Association preseason poll (Wabasso No. 2 and New Ulm Cathedral No. 10).

They want to be competitive -- no more 20- and 30-run defeats. Buboltz is not so much interested in the final win-loss record.

"Our goal, and it's general, it's the same goal that we used for football," Buboltz said. "We're going to compete. People are going to have to start saying, 'Hey, you know, they might be better this year. It's not going to be like we walk in and this one's a 20-runner.' We want people to start recognizing the program."

There are no illusions, but there is optimism.

"Coach (Buboltz) is so motivational," senior third baseman Kim Heldt said. "He's so encouraging. He's really helped us out a lot and now we feel good about this season."

Still, all the optimism aside, it's a tough road ahead for the Chargers. And it starts at 4:30 p.m. today with a conference matchup at Sleepy Eye High, field conditions and weather permitting.

Burt will get the start for the Chargers. As a freshman, Burt went 3-11 with an 8.05 ERA.

In 80 innings, she gave up 109 hits and struck out 48 while issuing 44 walks. Buboltz said the sophomore right-hander has been looking impressive in preseason practices.

"She's going to be doing the majority of our pitching," Buboltz said. "She looks real good right now. She's been keeping the ball down, locating the ball real nicely."

Burt, who spent some of the off-season working on her pitching, also began working in earnest just before the season. Also expected to see some time at pitcher for the Chargers is Rachel Lokken, a junior who pitched for the MVL junior varsity last season.

The Chargers have six returning starters from last season. In addition to Burt and Heldt, senior Becky Bruns returns in left field, Gretta Nelson at catcher and in the outfield, senior Hannah Gronholz at second base and junior Becca Kramer at first base and in the outfield.

The Chargers have a pair of additions Buboltz thinks can make an impact. Janelle Fischer is a sophomore slated at shortstop and Meghan Braam is a junior catcher.

Defensively, the Chargers hope to be better. Quickness is a part of that.

That quickness is also expected to aid MVL's offensive production. Offense was a weak spot for the Chargers in 2000 and Buboltz expects that will change this year.

"That's going to come along," he said. "It's not only the line drives; it's putting the ball in play. You've got to have good bunters ... We've got a lot more speed this year. We're going to be putting the ball in play with these slap hits and bunts."

Heldt is MVL's best hitter, Buboltz said, and Burt and Fischer have also looked good hitting off the machine. Buboltz said those three will be looked to provide much of the Chargers' offense this season.

"We're definitely going to be more competitive than last year," Heldt said. "I'm really looking forward to this season. We're really excited. It's a whole new feeling in softball."