After a couple games in early February and March, including a trip to Hawaii, the Softball team is in full swing and undefeated in the MIAC. Even though the team’s games in Hawaii were almost two months ahead of their MIAC schedule, they used them as a foundation and catapult into the upcoming season.
“I think Hawaii was a great opportunity for the team to bond, and for each [woman] to show what they were capable of on the field, in perfect conditions. Though it was super early in the season, it was a great indicator of the foundation of everyone’s abilities,” Senior Kelly Myers said.
Junior Lisa Klass agreed that the team’s trip to Hawaii helped the team to get a jump-start on the season. “It has already helped establish the things we need to focus on to be successful with the rest of the season,” Klass said. “We have already learned how to communicate well with each other and already grasp different things that need to happen to be successful. Most teams can’t grasp these things until they start playing games, but we are already steps ahead of them.”
The Gusties have been reaping the benefits of being steps ahead of their competition with an early 5-0 record in the MIAC, including back-to-back series sweeps against St. Olaf and Concordia. The Gustie women have big goals for the season after losing to St. Thomas in the MIAC Playoff Championship last year.
“At the beginning of January, we met as a team and discussed some of the goals we wanted to achieve throughout the season. I think we all understand that this is going to be a rebuilding year, but that should never mean that we set our sights lower,” Myers said.
Senior Emily Wendorff explained the desire for the team to reclaim the MIAC title after losing last season in the Championship. “As always, we are aiming to win the MIAC Conference Championship so that we can get another bid to Regionals like we did a couple years ago. We have several specific team goals in mind, such as a goal for team batting average, fielding percentage and our record,” Wendorff said. “I think we all realize it’s all of our contributions to the team goals that get us where we want to be. Our team has always been like family, so we all realize we each play an integral role in the team’s success.”
While the Gustavus Softball team has enjoyed success early in the season, players realize it’s a long season and could face challenges in the future.
“For the past couple years, our biggest challenge has been staying healthy, and I think it will be that way again this year,” Myers said. “Our season is tough. We practice everyday, and then once games start, we play double-headers at least three times a week. It’s a lot of games and that can wear on our bodies —especially our pitchers. If we can keep everyone in top shape, we’re going to be a competitive team in the MIAC.”
Yet, even with those challenges, the Softball team knows it’s capable of battling through those difficult aspects of a long and arduous season due to team chemistry. “We have a very close-knit team already, due to the fact that we started playing games so early,” Klass said. “We communicate well and understand each other, which sometimes is hard to do so early in the season. I think those few aspects are going to be a huge strength for this year.”
With seven out of the 22 women on the roster being seniors, the Gusties have a core group that has experienced post-season success and look to have that again this season. “Although it may be cliché to say, the seniors will show the [first-years] what it means to play Gustie softball. We enjoy ourselves and have fun, but we work hard every day at practice and go the extra mile to make ourselves that much better,” Wendorff said. “Especially since the seniors have been to Nationals and a post-season every year so far, we understand the work it takes to go the distance. We know how to push one another to be their best and will hopefully motivate the younger players to keep that tradition going even when we’re gone.”
Even with strong senior leadership, the team also has an upcoming group of upperclassmen who can maintain the success of the Softball team even after this group of seniors graduate. “As a senior, you always wonder what will happen after you leave, but it’s such a relief to see how the team will continue in good hands,” Myers said. “If there’s anything that our senior class can leave with these girls, I hope it’s the importance of perseverance, passion, hard work and love for your teammates.”
The Gustavus Softball team will look to continue its winning ways in the MIAC in upcoming series against Augsburg and St. Mary’s before facing St. Thomas Thursday, April 21.