February 7, 2007 SYCAMORES PICKED TO FINISH SIXTH IN MVC, WOOD ON PRESEASON TEAM TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Coming off one of the most successful seasons in its history, finishing 25-26 (12-15 MVC), the Sycamore Softball team was picked 6th in the annual pre-season softball coaches poll released by the league office. Sycamore ace Junior Darcy Wood (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove) was also selected to the 2007 Preseason All-Valley Softball Team. The Sycamores received 47 total points in the voting; just seven points shy of 5th place Creighton. Indiana State returns 13 letterwinners and eight starters from the 2006 squad. The 2007 Sycamores feature nine newcomers to add to a great mix of veteran talent. Wood had another outstanding season in 2006 earning All-MVC First Team honors, and was named the MVC pitcher of the week on two occasions (April 10, March 28). The former Indiana Miss Softball and Gatorade Player of the Year also posted a 1.56 ERA, 3rd best in the conference, while winning 21 games in 2006. She pitched 242.2 total innings and set the school record for strikeouts with (264), beating her 2005 record of (203). Those (264) strikeouts were also tops in the conference. She has won the MVC player of the week award more than any player in Sycamore history (3). Indiana State opens the 2007 season with a two-day tournament starting on February 18th in Martin, Tenn. hosted by the University of Tennessee-Martin. The Sycamores will kick off play with an 11 a.m. game against Ball State on that Sunday morning and will also play Saint Louis and SE Missouri in the two-day tournament. |