There’s a winning tradition here at NIU and it has nothing to do with Charlie Sadler’s winning record at Oklahoma.

The Huskie softball team opens its 1991-92 fall exhibition season at home Sunday against Indiana State, with very high expectations.

Having conquered the North Star Conference three out of the last four years, the Huskies aim to become the very last team in the record book to be named North Star champions.

“This is the last year of the (North Star) conference because it dissolves in June,” Abrahamson said. “Obviously our goal this year is to win the conference. I believe we have the people to do that.”

Despite it’s lofty goals, coach Dee Abrahamson’s squad has plenty of gaps to fill on the field. Only six players from last year’s team are returning: Stacy Paller at third base, shortstop Lori Reimer, Ree Zenner in center field and three starting pitchers: Kim Compton, Tracy Meade and Kristen Vandenhouten.

Although the Huskies will miss the fastball of Rachel Ortiz, due to an automobile accident in August, Abrahamson believes that the strength of her team will come from the pitching staff. “We’ll rely a lot on our pitching because that’s where our experience lies,” Abrahamson said. “We try and have pitchers that can each do different things.

“Kristen (Vandenhouton) is primarily a drop-ball pitcher. Tracy Meade throws the curve-ball. As far as Rachel (Ortiz), we depend a lot on her speed, so losing that key component will make it easier for our opposition to prepare for us. But injuries happen and we’re hopeful that she’ll recover.”

One of this year’s slated starters, junior Stacy Paller, reflects a strong feeling of optimism when she speaks of the Huskies chances for a championship season. “We have a good chance to win the conference. We’ve molded together very well so far,” Paller said. “The freshmen that have come in aren’t acting too nervous. Everyone that I’ve talked to on the team seems really positive. The attitude around here is that we’re going to win.”

Abrahamson’s careful recruiting has brought a decent blend of speed and power to this year’s club—two elements that she will be able to experiment with this fall. “I love it,” Abrahamson said about the fall exhibition schedule. “The fall gives us a chance to play new people and see what they can do and give them some opportunities to react under the pressure of a real-game situation.”

In short, it’s all about winning ballgames. The personnel and pitching experience assembled for the fall and next spring have Abrahamson and her players looking towards immediate success.