The softball team has opened the season 4-0 and looks to win the conference championship for the second year in a row and become sole owners of the CVC trophy, as they split the championship last year with the Harvey Red Raiders.
Last year was the first with a new softball field, and it went well for the team, which demonstrated lots of talent and wins, ending with a conference championship.
Sophomore Ela Sasmaz notes a few things that need to happen for the team to be as talented and successful as last year.
“As a team we need to believe in ourselves and put 110% effort into every game,” Sasmaz said. “If we all try our best to improve at our specific positions and we learn to use each of our strengths to play our best as a team, we will be successful.”
Although they have had several games canceled due to weather, the Bison have started off this season undefeated, beating Hawken 14-5, Orange 18-8, Brush 16-7 and Harvey 18-7. They have proven so far that the offseason work on hitting has been effective.
Multiple players including senior pitcher Arianna Preston and sophomore center fielder Allie Rindsberg play softball during the summer and continue to practice during fall and winter. Many underclassmen have been going to D-Bat batting cages for hitting lessons from an individual coach.
Both Preston and Rindsberg have set goals for themselves this season.
“My individual goals are to stay calm on the mound, throw as many strikes as I can and lead the team,” Preston said. “It’s my last season and I want it to be the best. I’m also focusing on my hitting.”
“My goals for myself this season are to see improvement in myself, stay focused and work as hard as I can,” Rindsberg said. “Every game, every practice, every day.”
With the graduation of last year’s seniors, the team lost a lot of power at bat and skill in the field.
Preston loves the work that Sasmaz and the other underclassmen have been putting in during the offseason.
“The [underclassmen] are filling in the spots our seniors from last year left,” Preston said. “Ela has been improving at first base after only playing three games there last year. Every practice she is working on her scoops and stops, without anyone telling her to, she just wants to get better.”
“Cherry, a junior, who only has ever played third base for us, stepped up and is now playing left field,” Preston added.
Sasmaz notes some things that need to be improved upon from last year’s season.
“I think overall the team can improve on the basics,” she said. “Whether it’s minimizing our field errors or adjusting to the different pitches we see throughout the season, there is a lot of room for improvement.”
Preston crushed a home run over the fence against Hawken on April 9 to start the offensive momentum for the season. The rest of the team has been focused on Samasz’s goal of constantly improving the basics, as they have been playing on a high level and are on pace to repeat what they accomplished last year and finish even better.
The Bison are scheduled for a home game against Harvey tonight at 5:00.
