01:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Carolyn Thornton: Hello everyone. This is Carolyn Thornton and I am here in the Journal newsroom with Toll Gate senior tri-captains Stephanie Robinson, Casey Miserandino and Katelyn Revens. They're ready to start answering your questions, so fire away.

jetergirl999: How does this year's team compare to last year's team?

Titans: Last year's team had played together for many years and were extremely close. With new girls this year, we are working on achieving the closeness we had last year.

Carolyn Thornton: Your team seemed to make a pretty seamless transition from slow-pitch to fast-pitch. Can you talk about that transition and why you were able to make the switch so easily?

Titans: JV went fast-pitch the season before the Varsity switched and it gave us a year of experience playing together. We also worked on our own time in other leagues to develop our skills.

Carolyn Thornton: You've gotten the new season off to a great start with a 3-1 record. Can you size up Division II this year? Who do think will be competing for the top spot?

Titans: We think our team has the potential to be one of the top teams in Division II this year. From the teams we have seen so far we think Smithfield will be one of the top teams as well, but we have yet to face some of the other teams.

Carolyn Thornton: So how much fast-pitch had you played before the high school team switched? How difficult was it for the players to accept having to leave slow-pitch, especially considering how much success your team has had in that league?

Titans: Steph:...none!! Casey: I played a few years in a fast-pitch fall league. Katelyn: none!! All: For some players it was more difficult to make the transition because they had never played fast-pitch before, but I think everyone has adjusted well and seems to enjoy it.

Carolyn Thornton: As players who have played both slow-pitch and fast-pitch, can you compare the two games? If you had a choice, which would you prefer playing?

Titans: Casey: I enjoy fast-pitch more because it is more challenging. Steph: I enjoy fast-pitch because there is more action. Kate: I like slow- pitch because more people hit the ball and there is more defense.

Carolyn Thornton: So let's go back to that day last June when you defeated North Smithfield for the Division II title. Obviously every team hopes to win a championship, but how realistic a goal did you think it was at the start of last season?

Titans: Going into last season we knew we had a lot of potential as a team. We had all played together for many years and we knew at the end of the season we would be losing good friends and teammates and wanted to make the season unforgettable.

Carolyn Thornton: Had any of you been on a state championship team in any sport before then? What was the feeling like when you made the last out and knew you had actually won? How did it compare to your expectations?

Titans: We have never been on a state championship team in high school before. When we made the final out it was a very emotional moment. We had lost to North Smithfield the day before in extra innings, but because it is a double elimination tournament we had a second chance and we didn't take that for granted. It was everything we ever dreamed of and more.

Carolyn Thornton: Can you talk about what it means to be the leaders of the team this year? What kind of responsibilities do you have? You talked about trying to create the same type of closeness that last year's team had. Are you doing anything in particular to try to build that cohesiveness?

Titans: Being captains this year means we have to be leaders on and off the field and exhibit the attitudes we expect to see from the underclassmen. We are the first ones at practice and the last ones to leave. We are doing a lot of things as a team like having pasta nights, going to pawsox games together, and just hanging out with each other.

Carolyn Thornton: So what were the biggest adjustments you had to make from slow-pitch to fast-pitch? Who helped you the most with that and how?

Titans: The biggest adjustments were hitting and bunt rotations. Our coach, Shana O'Connor ( Hall of Famer at RIC) helped us learn all we know about the game. She has a lot of knowledge and experience playing fast-pitch and was able to pass it on to us.

jfs: Tell us about this years team.

Titans: This year's team is a great group of girls. Our outfield consists of Tara Erikson, Katie Bannon, Nicole Beudry, Alyssa Raymond, Steph DIiorio and Lauren Grover. Third base is Katelyn Revens, Shortstop is Casey Miserandino, Second base is Jordan Allen, first base is Molly Bugge and Steph Robinson, Pitchers are Natalie Simas and Kara MacKinnon, and the catcher is Ianna Wasser.

Carolyn Thornton: Do any of you play other sports? How much softball do you play year-round in addition to the high school team?

Titans: Casey: I play soccer and basketball along with softball. I play softball in the spring, summer, and fall. Kate: I play basketball in the winter and softball all year long. Steph: I play basketball as well and softball in the spring and summer.

Carolyn Thornton: How much would you say playing sports has helped shape and define the people you have become? Where would you rank softball among the other priorities in your lives?

Titans: Playing sports has taught us all responsibility, discipline, leadership, and teamwork. Softball is a very important part of all our lives and we love it.

Carolyn Thornton: Do any of you hope to continue playing in college and if so, what schools are you looking at?

Titans: Kate: I am going to be playing at Providence College next year. Steph: I am not planning on playing in college next year. Casey: I am unsure of my plans for next year.

jfs: What are your college plans in the fall?

Titans: Kate: I am going to Providence College in the fall. Casey: I am going to Rhode Island college in the fall. Steph: I am going to the University of Rhode Island.

longball: everyone says girls aren't able to play sports as well as the boys..... Could your GIRL team beat a boy's team (at softball.....Baseball)???

Titans: We could beat any team even a boys wrestling team!!!!

longball: Does love of the game mean being a better player??

Titans: Yes, if you love what you are doing, you are more passionate and enjoy it more.

Carolyn Thornton: What do you consider to be the strengths of your team this season?

Titans: We have the capability of scoring many runs each game and our defense is solid.

lins2387: What do you think your biggest challenges are this year?

Titans: Our biggest challenge is living up to the expectations that go along with being the defending State Champions.

longball: What role does the coach play? After all, you all seem to play for many teams. How does your coach rank and influence you?

Titans: Our coach plays a very important role in all of our lives. She is a great role model both on and off the field. She has taught us a lot about the game of fast-pitch and without her we would not have won the state championship last year.

longball: why should someone who has never seen a fastpitch game come and watch a tollgate game

Titans: To see how good quality softball is played.

ashp51885: Many of your team members have played together for some time...do you think this makes a difference in the performance of your team?

Titans: Playing togther for many years does effect the way we perform as a team because you get familar with each other on the field and have so much respect to perform well for each other.

lins2387: What do you think your biggest weakness is this season?

Titans: Adjusting to different speed pitchers.

Carolyn Thornton: Just to change the subject for a bit, have you given much thought as to what careers you plan to pursue?

Titans: Steph: I plan to go to college and study business Kate: I am currently undecided of what career I plan to pursue. Casey: I plan to study special education

Carolyn Thornton: Do you actually notice a difference in how you feel each time you step on the field this year now that you are the defending champs? Can you describe how it's different?

Titans: Each game we step onto the field with confidence knowing our potential, however, we are aware of the responsibilities we need to fulfill in order to be successful.

johnw: Whats the major difference between having a woman coach compared to a male

Titans: A male coach is certainly capable of coaching females well, but there are definitely times when it is an advantage to having a female coach. There are just times when it is easier to relate to a female. Coach Shana has been where we are, so she knows what it's like and knows where we're coming from.

summababe246: How would you describe the friendships that develop over the four years you have played together

Titans: We are all best friends and met playing softball. We love each other!!!! Our coach loves us soooo much too!!!!!

softball28: what are your main concerns for this season?

Titans: Living up to our potential.

johnw: What is good quality? I saw the college game on tv - is it as fast and competitive

Titans: Good quality is Toll Gate

lins2387: Do you have good team speed?

Titans: We do base-running at practice everyday and always love to hear our coach saying her infamous line ' That's a lap' which is heard quite often at practice!

lins2387: Who has the biggest influence in your lives?

Titans: Steph: My mom and dad. Casey: My mom has been a great influence. Kate: Trevor Titan

johnw: So a male coach is an outsider?? And you all (all females) would prefer a woman coach

Titans: We didn't say that...our JV team has an excellent head coach, Thomas O'connor. But we still prefer a woman coach!!!

lins2387: the jv program was developed before the varsity program do you see this as being a benefit?

Titans: This was a benefit because it gave us a year of experience before the Varsity went fast-pitch.

lins2387: TG has a reputation of being a powerhouse and very athletic program do you see academics and athletics as being important?

Titans: Our school work is very important to us because you can't play if you get bad grades.

jfs: How is your pitching?

Titans: We have more than one pitcher capable of pitching a great game.

johnw: in all sports or just softball

Titans: It sounds like you are reading way too much into our answer. First and foremost, a good coach stresses the fundamentals and finds a way to connect with their players and bring out the best in each of them. Male or Female.

longball: Is trevor titan the name

of the mascott?

Titans: Trevor titan rocks and is soooo cute!!!

lins2387: How do you feel the jv coach influences your team?

Titans: The JV coach is a great coach and does a great job with all of the girls.

Carolyn Thornton: Well, folks, we've actually gone over our hour here, so we're going to wrap things up. Thanks for all of your great questions and a big thanks to Stephanie, Casey and Katelyn for stopping by tonight. Best of luck with the rest of your season.

Titans: Thank You for chatting with us, we had a great time!!