bleedCrimson.net will be conducting weekly interviews with Aggie women's softball head coach Kathy Rodolph throughout the 2008 season as the Aggies take aim at the WAC title. In this week's interview Coach Rodolph talks about this past weekend's series win over Cal State-Bakersfield and talks about her seniors as this weekend is their final home games of their careers.
bleedCrimson.net: Talk a little bit about this past weekend's games against Cal State-Bakersfield.
Kathy Rodolph: I felt like we started kind of getting our feet back under us against Bakersfield. They're a quality, solid ballclub. I felt like we did the little things to help us come out on top of Bakersfield. I was very pleased with last weekend.
bc.net: The first game against them was another one of those close games you've had, talk a little bit about that game and being able to bounce back in the second game of the doubleheader.
KR: I feel like because we've had so many close games and come up short many times this season, I think it's taken it's toll on us. I was real proud of the kids, after falling in game one by two late that we were able to rebound and come from behind and secure the win in the next game. I feel like we're still making that climb, just a little bit shaky.
bc.net: In the game on Sunday you scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh, talk a little bit about that game.
KR: To be able to come from behind, for somebody to get a late lead on us in the fifth, sixth or seventh inning, it's been difficult for us all year to come back, to rebound and come from behind. It showed me that the kids are still fighting and definitely in it. We've just gotta sharpen up and reduce our errors and play solid defense and continue to attack.
bc.net: This weekend you have a series against San Jose State at home, your final home series of the season. You also have a very good shot at moving into third place with a good showing this weekend. Talk a little bit about that and the importance of this weekend.
KR: The kids over the last month have been battling between fear and confidence and I feel like it's a fine line and you have to have the courage to battle regardless of whether you're going to get the outcome that you want. San Jose is going to come in here and be a tough opponent. They have lost some tough games but they are an outstanding ballclub. In order for us to take care of business and be able to move into third, it's going to take a collective team effort and the courage to battle whether you think you know the outcome or not.
bc.net: With this being senior weekend, talk about the seniors you have and what they've contributed to your program.
KR: It's been a very difficult season without having Ashley Roszkos in our lineup. She was the true warrior on the team. Not having her really hurt us in the middle of the lineup and anchoring our pitching staff but at the same time Ashley is still going to graduate in time in May. I think that speaks a lot to her character. Steph [Hererra] and Colleen [Kimbro] are two seniors that have led the way for us this year. Colleen got hurt at Utah State and hurt her shoulder and has been out of late. I think she'll be back for this weekend and I'm hoping that's the case with this being senior weekend.
Steph Hererra is someone that has been here for four years that has seen the rebounding of the program and the ups and downs that come with that and done a great job. She's been a good utility player for us throughout her career here playing in left, third, short, second and right. Steph is doing the little things that we need to help get us to that goal to win a WAC championship.
Editorial Note: We also talked with Coach Rodolph about this week's loss at New Mexico, however, due to some technical issues that portion of the interview was unavailable for transcript and the following portion is a summary of her thoughts. The Aggies had a very eventful trip up to Albuquerque on Tuesday, experiencing issues with the air conditioning on the bus and dealt with a 90-plus degree cabin. While not wanting to use that as an excuse, Coach Rodolph mentioned that she felt that the rough trip had some effect on her team and also felt that her kids came out a little flat in Tuesday's 9-1 loss.
