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June 2009

Now that the ECU Softball Season has come to an end, I would like to share some final thoughts.

 
To begin with, I am not sure what the NCAA committee of 10 was thinking not inviting ECU to its party, but it is done.  This is not the first time this has happened, but hopefully it will be the last.  I am sure the committee chairman, David Batson,Texas A&M University would love to hear from you. 
 
This year the Pirates took charge and had their best showing in CUSA winning all but one series, winning 19 games and leading the conference for most of the season. 
Congratulations to Coach Tracey Kee for being named Coach of the Year and Toni Paisley for being named Pitcher of the Year. Also congratulations to Jessica Johnson who was named first team all-conference and Cristen Aona, Kaui Tom, and Jessica Johnson for being named to CUSA All-Academic Team.
To end the regular season the Pirates according to the NCAA stats were #5 in fielding%, #11 in ERA, #23 stolen bases per game, and #27 W-L %. 
 
I am proud to say that during the season, the team remained focus on their academics as well, receiving many awards.  If you go to www.blackbeardsballers.com you will see a list and as you browse the website, you will also see pictures and links to more information.
You will also find links on the front page to the 2009 Seniors who really stepped up their last year.  Each one has their own page with the "In the Dugout interview".  They will make great Forever Pirates.
Congratulations also to Brooke Swann who graduated this semester. 
 
Fans of the blogs, thanks for reading them..  Tiff Shaw did the last one for the season yesterday.  Once again, if you have not read these BLOGS, you missed a treat.  I want to thank each of you girls that took time to share with us what life is like for a student-athlete.  It is always and eye-opening experience.
 
I want to also tell the families of these players how much I enjoyed having you in our Pirate family.  I know many of you have had to travel almost as much as the team, but you found a way to be here to support your daughter and the team even when your daughter was not playing.  I also want to thank you for allowing me to be part of your softball family.  It has been a pleasure, and it makes me appreciate ECU softball even more. 
 
To all of the families, fans and former players, thank you for making Blackbeard's Ballers a real success. I send emails to almost 300 people, have had over 16,000 hits on the web site, and sold online over $500 worth of merchandise, all of this going directly to softball.  (Let me know your suggestions for next year, please. I would love to be able to turn over a check for $1000.)
 
Finally I would like to thank the Coaches, Tracey Kee, Natalie Kozlowski, and graduate assistant, Keli Harrell for the long hours dedicated to preparing these student athletes for the life ahead of them.  I know that the job is never easy, and sometimes there are disappointments, but in the end, the rewards are abundant. I truly appreciate them for all they do.
 
Very soon East Carolina will have the ground breaking for the new softball stadium to be opened and ready for play in the spring of 2010.  Hopefully, I will be there to see this happen, take some pictures, and keep each of you updated on the progress.
 
As good as it has been, I believe the best is yet to come for our East Carolina University Softball Team, and I can't wait!!!
 
Thank you for everything, have a great summer, and see you in September except to pass on any updates or breaking news of course :-).
{Please forward this to parents, other family members, fans, and friends so that I can add them to our newsletter list.}
God speed to all of you,
Jane Reel

 
GO PIRATES!
Once a PIRATE, always a PIRATE.