Story by Zoe Harmon, Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Andris Visockis

Softball is so much more than what is seen on the field. The dedication, hard work, and time that goes into preparing for a season is extremely important. Since mid-October, the Aquinas Women’s Softball Team has been hitting it hard in the gym and on the practice field.

After fall break, the team began their preseason conditioning, “CST”, which they did at least twice a week. These workouts were specifically designed for baseball and softball players, which helps to physically prepare the women for their season.

Starting in January, the team began practicing five to six days a week. They spend a lot of time enhancing their basic softball skills to ensure they are ready for anything. Pitcher Anna Kelly noted, “We are putting forth our best effort to ensure that we are mentally and physically ready. I think that our team is pushing themselves to be the best they can be on the field.” This steady training along with conditioning will continue until spring break.

For their Spring Break trip, the team will travel to Tuscon, Arizona where they will play 15 games in the span of a week. Sophomore Brooke Senkbeil said that the best part about preparing for the season is, “Going to Arizona, because that is the first time we get to play outside on dirt, and it is the first look at how we will be for the rest of the season. How we play in Arizona can be a big momentum changer when coming back to Michigan.”

Arizona is always a great place for the team to play as the weather is perfect. Not only do they spend time bonding on the field, but the women also prepare for their season by spending time together off the field to get to know each other as individuals. With free time in Arizona, the team will be able to bond on a whole different level.

Junior Irma Cruz mentioned, “The best part about preparing for the season is that we all become so close as teammates and really build a bond as a team which makes playing so much more enjoyable.”

Goal setting is also a huge part of preparation for the team. Typically, they do goal setting as a team and make a copy to post in the dugout for each game. The team’s greatest goal is to win the WHAC.

In order to make this happen, the team will have to come together and truly play as one. A major area in which the women are hoping to improve on is team chemistry. Overall, they have talent and can certainly meet their goals if they stay unified, working together through the good and bad.

Dedication and hard work are both apparent as the softball team prepares for competition. It will be exciting to see how their effort pays off during the 2016 season.

About the writer…

Zoe Harmon is in her final year at Aquinas College, majoring in Sports Management/Business Administration and minoring in Communication. Zoe is a member of the Sports Management Club where she serves on the board as Treasurer.She is also a Disney College Program Alumni after spending 7 months in Orlando. Zoe has a great passion for travel and health/fitness and in her free time, she enjoys hiking adventures, biking, and spending time with her friends and family.