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Adams is a hit at OSU By Greg Stiles There�s a simple phrase in the Oregon State softball media guide that tells all about sophomore Steph Adams. It comes under the heading of biggest athletic thrill and states, simply: "Stepping into the batter�s box." When Adams steps into the batter�s box, good things happen. The four-time all-state performer from North Medford High is rapidly becoming one of the top power hitters to ever play for the Beavers. The 14 doubles she hit last spring rank second on the Beavers� single-season list. Her seven home runs tied her for fourth on the club�s all-time season list. But that was only the beginning. Through the first 26 games of this season, the 20-year-old clean-up hitter leads the Beavers with seven extra-base hits, including three home runs, and has driven in 11 runs. She�s also beginning to smooth the rough edges that saddled her with a .217 batting average in 2000 and saw her strike out a school-record 50 times. "I came back with more confidence this year," Adams says. "I knew how they were going to pitch me. Everybody keeps a book on you and knows what you can and can�t do." With that in mind, Adams went to work on outside pitches. No longer does she sit on inside stuff, looking to pull the ball. "The outside pitch is the money pitch for most everyone in the Pac-10," Adams says. When the Beavers run up against UCLA this Saturday in a tournament at Fresno State, Adams anticipates a lot of pitches away from her. "Amanda Fried is going to work me with that outside pitch, and it�s my job to stay focused and hit it," Adams says. "I just have to let the ball go deeper (toward the catcher). Coach says you need to see the ball twice. "I don�t know the time difference in fractions of a second, but when you�re hitting, that little bit of a difference is the difference between grounding to shortstop and a line drive into the right-center gap." She�s modified her stance and where she holds her hands, but it�s nothing most people would notice, she says. Perhaps the biggest change from high school � where Adams was North Medford�s all-time hitting leader � to college is the distance between the pitching circle and home plate. The pitching rubber for high school is 40 feet from the plate. It�s 43 feet in college. "When you�re three feet back, your pitch can move that much farther," Adams says. "A change-up is a real hard adjustment, too. It can take forever for the ball to get there." Adams was a third baseman throughout her prep career but broke into the lineup at OSU playing right field. After veteran Jenni Jodoin vacated first base at the end of the 2000 season, Adams eagerly pursued the spot. "Third base is definitely my favorite position," Adams admits. "But after playing right field last year, I was ready to do anything to get me into the dirt. I would even play second base if I had to because I love the infield." By first-baseman standards, Adams isn�t a large target at 5-foot-6, but the quick reflexes developed at third base serve her well. She�s committed just two errors in 122 chances. "The ideal first baseman is a tall left-hander," says Adams, who is right-handed. "But I�m getting more and more comfortable. Our infielders know if they get the ball within five feet of me, I�ll catch it." Oregon State is ranked No. 14 nationally, and the Beavers own a 3-1 victory over No. 6 Fresno State. But the Beavers are picked to finish no better than seventh when Pac-10 play begins March 31. "It�s definitely the most competitive conference in the nation," Adams says. "That�s why it�s such an honor to play here. When you play teams outside the conference, you�re not only playing for your team and school, you�re playing for the conference because of its reputation." Oregon State (18-5) has advanced to the NCAA regionals the past two springs, and Adams hopes the Beavers can go another step and earn a trip to the College World Series. "I knew I was capable of doing the kinds of things I�ve done in college," Adams says. "But truthfully, I don�t feel I�m at the top of my game yet. There�s always room for improvement." Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4483, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.