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Date Posted: 23:27:41 05/10/02 Fri
Author: Jon Ralston
Subject: Cindy Ball

Originally Published Friday, May 10, 2002
------------------------------------------------------------------------

The belle of the Ball

Senior pitcher Cindy Ball prepares for her final bow at Pacific

By Bob Highfill

Record Staff Writer

Cindy Ball might be the only student at University of the Pacific who is glad to be studying for final exams.

Schoolwork has helped the senior standout avoid dwelling on her last games today and Saturday at Bill Simoni Field.

''I'm not really thinking about it,'' said Ball, the Tigers' senior record-setting pitcher. ''I have a lot of homework. I'm not trying to think about it.''

Pacific (40-14, 19-2), ranked 17th nationally, would earn its first Big West championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with a sweep, while the Matadors (26-21, 11-10) have a possible at-large berth riding on their performance. The teams will play a doubleheader at 1 p.m. today and a single game at noon Saturday.

''I'm kind of content with how well I've played (at Pacific) and what I've accomplished and the teams I've played on,'' Ball said. ''I don't know how I'm going to react to this weekend, yet. I just won't look at my parents.''

Ball said about 20 relatives and close friends, some from her hometown of Camarillo, will see her play this weekend. She will be the lone senior honored before Saturday's regular-season finale.

''She's been maybe the best ambassador for our program since I've been here,'' said Brian Kolze, the Tigers' 10th-year coach. ''It's been a tremendous pleasure to coach her and watch her grow the last four years.''

As a freshman, Ball was the Tigers' starting first baseman and the second option in the pitcher's circle behind then-senior All-American Brandee McArthur. Ball hit .282 with 20 RBI and was 9-4 with a 1.43 ERA, and the Tigers reached the NCAA Regionals.

''My freshman year went by really fast,'' Ball said. ''I didn't have as many chances as I would have liked to pitch, but if I came in and was the No. 1 pitcher right away, I don't think I would have grown.''

Ball worked hard to become the Tigers' ace. She hit the weight room, played softball in the offseason and used what she learned from McArthur. In her sophomore season, she was 21-12 with a 1.29 ERA, but the Tigers were denied an invitation to the NCAA Tournament.

Last season, Ball was the top gun on a senior-ladened team. She won 33 of 42 decisions with a 1.31 ERA and 222 strikeouts. She was named the Big West pitcher of the year and earned All-America and All-Region honors. The Tigers set a single-season school record with 50 wins, took second in the Big West, and fell one game short of reaching the College World Series.

This season has been tough, yet rewarding for Ball as the team's only senior. She has set an example with her work ethic and controlled her emotions on and off the field.

''I've learned a lot from her,'' sophomore pitcher Jennifer Dacre said. ''I love pitching with her and being part of the staff with her. We all like to work together and support each other and help each other out. I'm sure it's going to be different next year, but we'll be fine.''

Ball is in the midst of her best all-around season. She's 25-9 with a 0.77 ERA and 248 strikeouts, and is hitting .372 with 11 home runs and 45 RBI -- the most RBI in one season in school history.

For her career, she owns school records with 88 wins, 718 strikeouts, 43

shutouts and 10 saves. She is second in the Big West in career wins and needs seven strikeouts for the conference record.

She is Pacific's career record-holder with 110 RBI and is third on the school's all-time home runs list with 19. She's seventh in Big West history in career homers and ninth on the career RBI list.

Ball said her record for wins is the most satisfying.

''I think winning is a very good accomplishment because it's not just me, it's the team,'' Ball said. ''It represents the teams I've played for. Maybe I can shut them out, but the team has to score runs and play defense behind me for us to win. That just goes to show how good the teams have been that I've played on.''

Ball hopes she and the Tigers reach the College World Series. That would complete her brilliant career at Pacific.

* To reach reporter Bob Highfill, phone 546-8299 or e-mail bhighfil@recordnet.com

Strong season

Cindy Ball's 2002 numbers:

* Pitching

25-9 record

248 strikeouts

0.79 earned-run average

* Batting

.372 average

11 home runs

45 runs batted in

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