The SVSU Women’s Softball season will begin Friday, Feb. 23 with a doubleheader against Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee.
Ryan Schalk, the head coach, is enthusiastic about the season. This is his second season with SVSU. “Coming off back-to-back GLIAC Tournament Championships and Regional Final appearances, we are hoping to take the next step and advance further in the postseason,” he said.
“Our coaching staff thinks that we have the ability to do that, but we will know better once we get a few games into the season,” he said. “We have a talented group of freshmen and a lot of experience returning from last season, so we are optimistic that we will put together another good season.”
Focusing on the upcoming season, Schalk said, “We are just excited to get on the field and get things going,” he said. “I think we have a lot of options and a lot of competition within the team for positions, which should really motivate everyone to be better.”
“As a coaching staff, we are excited to have a full season with the team for the first time and continue to build on our successes,” Schalk said.
This year, the roster holds 11 freshmen, 3 sophomores, 3 juniors, and 8 seniors. “We have a ton of players that have the potential to have a good season as the nine returning players have a lot of experience under their belt,” Schalk said. “We have a strong freshman group that should play some key roles right away for us.”
Hoping to take the team past the regional championship this year, Shalk comments on what they’re excited for. “All together, we are just excited to see how the team comes together and what we can accomplish this season,” he added.
Paige Kolinski, a fifth-year exercise science major and catcher/infielder for the softball team spoke on the upcoming season. “I’m most excited for the opportunity to play the game with my teammates. I’ve been playing with some of them for five years now and it’s our last go together,” she said. “I just want to enjoy the game and making as many memories as possible.”
“With this being my last year, I’m trying to just enjoy the game and the process and not put too much pressure on myself about the outcomes,” she continued. “If I keep my focus on having fun and being a competitor I think I can have a great season.”
Sara Moos, a Master’s student in Business Administration and third baseman, said, “I am most excited for the opportunities that I will have and I am excited to just leave it all out there and look back and see how far I have come and how far the team has come.”
Looking towards her future and the future of the team, Moos said “I am also excited to see people grow and flourish in their roles and see the team grow. She continued, “This is my final season, and I am ready to take on that challenge.”
After opening the season in Tennessee, the Cardinals will head to Florida to compete from March 2 through March 9.
