Softball | 4/30/2015 3:45:00 PM
BALTIMORE – Seniors
Candice Van Horn and
Samantha Denlinger have spent the past four years giving their all to Coppin State's softball program.
The pair will enter the CSU Softball Complex for the final time this weekend in a doubleheader Saturday starting at 1:00 p.m. and single game Sunday at noon against cross-town and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) rival Morgan State.
It'll take one victory for the Eagles (3-30 overall, 3-12 MEAC) to keep the Lady Bears (7-28, 6-8) out of the MEAC Tournament.
Although the rivalry has history of its own, the upperclassmen duo has plenty of history between them since they started this process together.
"She is going to laugh at this because when I first met Candice before our freshman year I thought she didn't like me," Denlinger said. "When we started our freshman year we instantly became close. Over the years, most of my best memories involve Candice. She really understands me and the certain things that get me overwhelmed or upset and she talks me through them. One thing I love about Candice is so many times we will find ourselves saying remember that time and start hysterically laughing."
The two have made enough memories to last a lifetime, especially this year as they spent the season switching between pitching and catching for each other.
"I'll remember all the times she's had my back," Van Horn said. "From catching my crazy pitches, to catching my crazy throws at first base and making the out! She's definitely something special."
Denlinger has been a constant fixture in Coppin State's lineup. In 153 appearances, Denlinger has totaled 83 hits, 53 RBIs, 32 runs, 25 walks, 11 doubles and four homeruns.
"I'm happy with the career I have had overall," Denlinger said. "Of course I see areas where I could have improved, but in the end I know that I worked extremely hard every year I was here and I improved over my four years. I believe I fulfilled my responsibilities and roles I needed to play for my team."
Denlinger isn't the only one who's happy with what she's done as an Eagle.
Van Horn has been a commanding presence in blue and gold. Last year, Van Horn led Coppin State in 11 categories, including batting average (.410), runs scored (38) and hits (48). Nationally among Division I players, she ranked 44th in runs per game, 53rd in stolen bases per game, 55th in slugging percentage, 68th in on-base percentage and 69th in batting average. Van Horn was named to the 2014 All-MEAC and College Sports Madness All-MEAC First Team.
This season, she is leading in batting average (.395), hits (32), RBIs (16), doubles (11), slugging percentage (.691) and on-base percentage (.505). Van Horn has recorded eight multi-hit games this season. She was selected to the 2015 MEAC Preseason Second Team.
"I feel as though I exposed myself as a player and extended my talents more than usual," Van Horn said. "This year, I took on the role of a catcher for a portion of the season. I also pitched and played shortstop. I received several awards from school and through the conference, so I'm very proud of my accomplishments as an athlete."
For her career, Van Horn has played in 133 games and tallied 116 hits, 96 runs, 56 RBIs, 26 doubles, 13 homeruns and 28 multi-hit games.
Van Horn is a sport management major and Denlinger is majoring in biochemistry. Both athletes are standouts in the classroom and were named to the All-MEAC Softball Academic Team and to the MEAC Commissioner's All-Academic Team last year.
With their success on and off the field, first-year head coach
Ty Robinson knows it will be hard to replace the seniors.
"These two young ladies have been a godsend, both working hard not only on the field but in the classroom," Robinson said. "Coppin State is losing two great student-athletes. They have been very productive on campus and in the community. They will be missed."
Even though this weekend will be their last times stepping up to home plate as Eagles, they are leaving Coppin State with smiles on their faces.
"Collegiate softball is one of the greatest opportunities a young lady can have," Van Horn said. "No matter how great or terrible things are, you grow from the experience as a person. You'll make lifelong friendships and you'll see competition and talent on other teams that challenges you to play better. I think what I'll miss most is sharing the same love for the game that I have with others who feel the same way."
