This could be the year for Bison softball.
“We truly feel like we have the pieces in place to do it this year,” coach Kristin Ryman said. “I just think the work ethic about this group; there’s something different about it. They’re very, very driven, which I think could pay off big for us.”
The ASUN coaches’ poll picked Lipscomb to finish fourth in the conference.
Seniors Caitlyn Plocheck and Abby Fenichel topped the team last season in batting average and on-base percentage, respectively, and are stepping up to lead the team again this year.
“The way Abby and Plocheck have gone about leading the team so far works because the girls respect them and they respect how hard they work,” Ryman said. “I think the girls are just following their lead.” Fenichel said the pressure to win isn’t getting to her this year.
“This year, that talk isn’t really amongst us,” Fenichel said. “We’re just trying to play. We have things to work on, but I’m just excited to play without worry and expectations.”
One Bison volleyball player traded in her knee pads for a bat and a glove. Chloe Rogers joined the team in January after her eligibility for the volleyball team ended. Ryman said Rogers is adapting quickly.
“She’s already done the quick observe and ‘let me feel out my place,’ but she has a lot of good things to say and has good insight from being on a different team here.” Ryman said of Rogers. She’ll have one more year on the softball team after this one.
They’re coming into the season a little banged up. Destinee Brewer is hurt and others are dealing with minor issues. Ryman said they’re making it a goal to remain healthy for the rest of the season. They’ll take it one game at a time, and leave it all out on the field.
“We want to see our team show up and get the job done, come through in the moment, and not be focused on what happened yesterday, or what’s gonna happen tomorrow, but just play in the moment,” Ryman said. “If we can do that I think we have a shot to win a lot of games.”
The Bisons square off with Georgia Tech and Ole Miss Friday, Florida A&M University and Lamar University Saturday, and Penn State Sunday at the Sand Dollar Classic in Gulf Shores, Ala.