Nov. 30, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Each week heading into the 2007 Samford softball season, a different player will be highlighted in an edition of "Bulldog Talk", a question-and-answer session with one of this year's players. This week's featured player is senior shortstop Liz Pearse.

The Samford softball team will begin play in its 2007 season Feb. 9-11 at the prestigious Florida State Tournament. The opening date is roughly 11 weeks away and each of Samford's 15 softball players will have their turn to be featured in the inaugural edition of "Bulldog Talk".

Pearse, a native of Cary, N.C., is the fifth Samford softball player to be featured this season. She will be a four-year starter at shortstop and has been a staple in the Bulldogs' lineup since her freshman campaign. Last year, she started 55 of the team's 58 games and finished the season with 35 hits, 19 RBI, 11 runs and eight stolen bases.

The following is a transcript from Pearse's edition of "Bulldog Talk".

How is the team looking this year?
"We are looking very strong and we should be a big contender for the OVC championship. I think we have a lot of talent and a lot of experience. The junior class has really stepped up this fall and has filled some big shoes. I honestly think this will be the start of a program that expects nothing less than a championship every year."

Unfortunately, you weren't able to play a lot during the fall, how has that helped you?
"I really worked on my mental game this fall, which is something that I needed to get under control before beginning my physical game. More than anything, I've really just been able to step back and see the game for what it is. I can see what it means to lay everything out on the line, to walk away from the field with no regrets. This doesn't necessarily mean you played a perfect game, but it means that you played with everything God has given you that day. Winning or losing, you know that you maximized the talents God blessed you with."

What are you looking forward to the most this year?
"May 12, 2007! That's the day that the Samford softball team will win its first of many OVC championships! Besides that being the highlight of the season, I'm just looking forward to playing with my teammates. I enjoy walking onto the field with the same mission and walking off the field with a family."

What gets you more excited: a great defensive play or getting an extra-base hit?
"Defensive play! I've always considered myself a defensive player. I love extending my body to the limit to where you didn't think it could go. The best sound in the game is hearing the quiet echoes from the opposing dugout after making a great play that they know they can't do anything about. They have no excuses; they just know you made a great play."

What does Samford University mean to you?
"A place for opportunity. Samford has been more than a place to grow on the field but also in the classroom and beyond. I'm getting an amazing education while playing a sport I love. Samford has also blessed me with a community that allows me to be vulnerable and grow as a person. I've extended my family here, both on the field and off."

What would be the picture-perfect ending to this year?
"ESPN announcer, `Bottom of the seventh, runner on first and the Bulldogs are down by a run. This small school is now living a big dream here in Oklahoma City. Samford has been the underdog this entire series and they keep surprising us. The pitch . . . she connects . . . it's going . . . it looks like it might . . . yes! They did it! They won the college world series! The Bulldogs are on top of the nation!' That would be perfect, or just walking off the field for the last time with that much enthusiasm and energy."

Check out next week's edition of "Bulldog Talk", as Samford softball's featured player will be junior outfielder Jeslyn Metcalf.

Metcalf is one of the fastest players on Samford's team and finished last season with the Bulldogs' third-highest batting average. She also ended the year with 10 stolen bases and 17 hits.