SLIPPERY ROCK - Stacey Rhoades hears it all the time.

Don't worry. You're just a freshman.

The Slippery Rock University shortstop is hardly alone in that regard on her team, how ever. When she looks around her, she sees 10 other first-year players and five others who are just sophomores.

That further reinforces the "don't worry, you are still young" sentiment.

Rhoades frowns upon that like she frowns upon a deep fly out to left field. She curls her lip in disgust at that remark as if it is a personal affront.

"That's what everyone tells you," Rhoades said. "Everyone tells you, 'You know what? You have a lot of time ahead of you.' But you know what? I hate losing. I don't care about the circumstance."

Rhoades hasn't had to put up with much losing this season. The Rock is enjoying a breakout campaign, despite dropping three of its last four games, including 14-1 and 6-2 home losses to California (Pa.) University Tuesday.

Even with the losses, SRU is 22-12, just one win shy of the all-time mark for victories in a season. Many more records have fallen or are destined to fall this season.

Rhoades, who came to The Rock from South Park High School because she wanted to be a part of something just blooming, isn't so much interested in records as victories. And she wants lots of them - now.

"I am not excited after these losses," Rhoades said. "I am very upset. But I know next year we are going to be celebrating. We'll get there. It just takes some time, I guess."

Second-year Slippery Rock coach Vashion Johnson has wasted little time, though, resurrected a softball program that had cratered, going just 21-50 overall and a 6-34 in the conference the two years prior to his arrival.

In Johnson's first year, the team went 15-27 and showed signs of progress.

He's rebuilt the team by gutting the roster and recruiting heavily, not just in Western Pennsylvania, but all over the country.

"I was real easy for me because these ballplayers who came in wanted to make a difference," Johnson said. "They didn't want to go to established programs. They wanted to be difference makers."

Andrea Murdock came from Berrien Springs, Mich. Valerie Blumenstrock arrived from Jackson, N.J., and Brittany Hahn, who pitched a no-hitter last week against Edinboro University, came from Columbus, Ohio.

"I kind of went all over," Johnson said. "There were a lot of rejections in there, but I'm real happy with the ballplayers I have because they are committed to winning."

Freshman outfielder Melissa Lowrey came to The Rock to be part of something special, she said.

She also came because of Johnson's sales pitch.

"I just fell in love with coach," Lowrey said. "He acts tough, but he's really a sweetheart."

Lowrey had heard the stories of how dreadful the Slippery Rock program had been, but didn't know the full scope until she took in a game last season.

"The shortstop tripped over her glove while trying to field the ball," she said. "I know in the past, this team kind of stunk."

Jesse Gump, a senior catcher, is one of the few remaining players from the dark ages of Rock softball.

Gump has been re-energized by the new attitude and the new feeling of returning home from the field as a winner instead of with another "L" in a long line of them.

"There is a 100 percent change in attitude," Gump said. "In the years past, everyone was pushing each other down. This year, it isn't like that."

Gump, who hopes to join the coaching staff next year, invites many of the freshmen over to her house for dinner, or to just hang out. Her only lament is she won't be on the field with them in the coming years as they grow into a serious PSAC-West contender.

Rhoades said Gump's influence has been invaluable.

"Gump is an extreme leader," Rhoades said. "It's nice to have someone who is excited about you coming in and playing, someone who wants to have team bonding and unity, someone who doesn't look at you and say, 'Eww, freshmen.'"

The freshmen certainly are leaving their mark already.

Hahn set the school record for wins in a season with 12. Rhoades is The Rock single-season record holder in RBI at 23 and counting, and both Rhoades and Lowrey are one home run shy of tying Gump's home run record in a season with seven.

"I told them they can have it," Gump said. "I'm old. I'm sore. I'm beat up. I've been playing with bruised ribs and my ankle is all messed up. They can help me out a little bit."

The team already has eclipsed the single-season home run record with 28 and is enjoying its best season since 1980, but the losses to Cal seriously hurt the team's chances to make the playoffs.

That further draws the ire of Rhoades.

"I know eventually it will be there," she said. "There's just so much potential on this team. It's just kind of upsetting."