By Tara Sowle
UWRF Sports Information

Senior third baseman Emily Evans is the big hitter for the 2005 Falcon softball team.

In her second year with the Falcons in 2004 she had a .300 batting average with 25 hits and four runs scored. Evans had three doubles and led the team with three homers. Evans finished the year with 17 RBIs. She earned honorable mention to the All-WIAC team at the end of the season. Evans was named the team's Player of the Week on May 3 and April 12.

She has held a very steady average. In 2003 she batted .301 and had 33 hits and four runs. She finished with 12 RBIs, five doubles and a triple. She was named the team's Most Dedicated Player in 2003.

The expectations for Evans this year are pretty high and she is well on her way to reaching them.

In 20 games played as of April 8, Evans is at a .300 batting average and has a .350 slugging percentage. She has had 18 hits, scored four runs and has nine RBIs.

"Emily is one of the few of our hitters who can hit the ball over the fence," Falcon Coach Faye Perkins said. Evans holds the number four clean up spot in the batting order and rightfully so. "The number four spot goes to the power hitter, and she obviously has a lot of power in her swing, but at the same time she can put down a bunt if asked," said Perkins. Evans is fourth on the team in sacrifices with three.

Evans gets a lot of time at the plate. She is second on the team with 60 official at bats and she hasn't missed her starting spotin any of the 20 games so far this season.

Evans plays a key role on the Falcon team on the defensive side also. She plays third base, but she can also pitch too. "I've pitched since 9th grade, and sometimes pitch hitting practice," said Evans. But her first love is third base though. "It's my favorite, and I like having the ball come so fast you just react instinctively."

Her instincts have been on point this season. Her fielding percentage is .929 and she has had 36 assists and only five errors. "She is an aggressive player who is not afraid of anything," said Perkins. Evans is not afraid to creep up on bunts. Perkins also said that her quick reaction time makes her tough at the corner.

Evan's contribution to her team doesn't end on the field. "Emily is a player that is always there to help her teammates - she would do anything for them," said Perkins. Perkins described Evans as a giving player.

She started playing fast pitch when she was in 8th grade and had her heart set on playing for River Falls
because her family grew up in the area and she went to clinics here and loved it.

Her outlook for the season is good. "Our strongest points are in our hitting. In Michigan, half of our hits were doubles. Our team chemistry is good too."

The mental game is the only place where Evans believes her team could use some work, "Our only problem is players knowing their roles on the field. We need to be more confident."

Evans also played hockey at White Bear Lake, Minn., High School and wanted to play for UWRF, but
decided she would put all her efforts into one sport. She is also an active member of intervarsity. She writes scripts once a month and was a co-leader at one time.

Emily Evans