A normal start date is about the only normal thing for the 2021 Lipscomb University softball team. After having their season cut short one year ago, Coach Ryman and her players have had to adjust to a totally different world filled with new COVID restrictions and obstacles to playing the sport they love.
“If I would have guessed last year mid-March when all this started initially, I would have thought we would have been done for a couple of weeks, and then they would try to pick back up with things,” said head coach Kristin Ryman. “No one ever envisioned it would be what it has turned into with the pandemic.”
The pandemic has wreaked havoc on all facets of life forcing everyone to reshape their outlook on life.
“Every day we are out here is a good day,” said Ryman. “Let’s practice that way, let’s enjoy what we do, let’s get to know each other, and take every day as a blessing right now. That’s the biggest thing, but knowing too preparation-wise at a moment’s notice someone could go down and not be a starter anymore. So, for all of the other girls that are working really hard behind them, [they need to be] working every day as if they could be the starter every day.”
Although Covid caused many problems for the Lady Bisons, the shortened 2020 season did allow their young roster to mature by getting real game experience that did not count against their collegiate eligibility.
“I think a lot of those girls got some key time last year and in a sense looking back it was almost 22 games worth of experience, so I think those girls are so much more prepared this year because they at least know what it’s all about,” said Ryman.
Despite adding 22 collegiate games to their resume, these rising sophomores have no experience with conference play.
“When I look across the field, there are only a couple girls on our team right now that have faced ASUN competition,” said Ryman. “I think that in and of itself could sort of be a cool thing because we are going to be surprising other teams a little bit, but we also have to make sure that they are ready through our preseason schedule for the ASUN.”
Months of hard work and uncertainty have finally paid off though and the Lady Bisons are finally returning to the diamond Friday morning for the Best on the Bayou tournament in Monroe, Louisiana.
“We are so excited to finally play someone other than ourselves,” said Ryman. “We are just excited to be back out there truthfully.”
“It will be a really good test for us right off the bat, if for nothing else but just to see where we are. It’s a good opportunity for us to just go out and attack. That is one of the things that we keep talking about going into this weekend. I don’t want to go into this weekend wanting to just keep games close. I don’t want that to be our mentality. Our mentality is to win.”
As the Lady Bisons begin their quest to defend their ASUN title from two seasons ago, they will rely on both dependable veterans and young stars, like junior infielder Amy Vetula, a preseason All-ASUN honoree, and sophomore outfielder Pressley Leebrick.
“Amy is one of those players who does it all for us,” said Ryman.
“She came in as a utility player, but really more of a middle infielder and we asked her to play more outfield her first two years and she did so beautifully. This year she is finally getting to go back into the infield. I’m just really excited to see her get to have that opportunity, but she has worked so hard for it. She is just a player that everyone wants to play for and play around. Can’t say enough good things about Amy.”
Lipscomb opens up play at 11:00 am against the #11 Arkansas Razorbacks and will play their home opener on February 24th in a double-header against Northern Iowa.