The softball team earned an impressive 10-4 record in the regular season but suffered a disappointing loss to Berkshire on May 9 in the first round of the playoffs.
Sophomore center fielder Allie Rinsberg has a very optimistic outlook for next year.
“I am very hopeful for next season because we have a determined team who wants to succeed,” she said. “I know that if we put in the work throughout our off season, we’ll begin seeing results and continue to improve.”
“Our goal–as always–is to win our conference,” she added.
Players plan to start training as early as possible in order to bond before the season starts and to improve in specific areas.
“I think our team should spend time in the off season focusing on getting stronger and strengthening our batting skills, so next year we can be strong from an offensive stance,” Rindsberg said.
Sophomore Elle Beck agrees.
“We start practicing in mid winter, but next year we definitely want to start weight training and off season workouts in the early winter in order to be strong and ready for the season” Beck Stated.
Beck is also looking forward to seeing what next year’s freshmen can do.
“There are a good number of middle schoolers who are playing or planning to join the team next year, and we are excited to see what they can do,” she said.
Rinsberg is very determined to become a leader and a stronger player in the upcoming season.
“I will be taking private batting lessons as well as some pitching lessons in the off season in order to [improve] my skills and come back stronger next season,” she said.
The strength of the team during this year’s regular season can not be overlooked.
“A highlight from this year was definitely starting off our season with a 5-0 winning streak,” Rindsberg said. “It was exciting and gave us all the confidence to keep playing hard every day.”
Graduating senior captain Arianna Preston played a huge role this year both at bat and on the mound, and many players are concerned about how they will fill her shoes next year.
Preston was recognized as athlete of the week on April 30 for going 8-14, .571 with 12 runs, 7 RBIs, 1 double and 2 triples.
“It was really fun getting athlete of the week and a confidence boost,” Preston said.
“She was a really key player on the team, and we’re going to have to work hard to have a successful next season without her,” Beck said.
Preston’s advises her teammates to keep the pressure on in the later innings.
“We can improve on effort throughout the entire game, and not getting lazy on the bases,” she said.
