``It will help in the long run," Mulholland said. ``The kids are stepping up and not giving in."

       Sophomore Jen Gregorski has pitched well for the Colonels, winning all five starts. Her numbers are not staggering (4.97 ERA, seven strikeouts), but Mulholland is pleased with her performance.

       ``She has done a great job," Mulholland said. ``She's not a power pitcher, but she's young and working hard at it. She puts the ball in play and never crumbled in the tight games." Four seniors pace the Colonels' offense, led by shortstop Amanda Griswold with a .500 batting average, followed by catcher Alie Shean (.375), center fielder Eileen Piwowarczyk and third baseman Cat Ebert (.308).

     The Colonels are also getting it done defensively, committing only seven errors. Ebert, Griswold and Piwowarczyk have not booted a ball all year. Ebert did not commit an error all of last season.

     ``We're doing well defensively for very little practice," Mulholland said. ``It seems like we're in the gym, then play game after game."

       It may be more of the same this week. Weather permitting, the Colonels play Blair today, Einstein Wednesday and Sherwood Thursday.

      Springbrook mounted a rally in the bottom of the seventh. The Blue Devils loaded the bases with one out. Liz Abrahamson flew out to center field, but Shannon Wright walked to force in a run. However, Samowitz popped up to second with the winning run aboard to end the threat and the game.