With nine letter-earning athletes returning this season, the Pioneer softball team is looking forward to a fresh start with a veteran team.

The Pioneers fought through a tough season last year, fielding 15 freshmen on a roster of 20 players. Although the team lost six seniors, the younger players have moved into veteran positions.
The 2009 team ended with a 5-29 record.

“We had a young team last year, and we’re rebuilding this year with more experience,” said Mandy Cerqua, senior catcher. “It’s amazing to see how the sophomores have changed over the summer.”

The returning players have stepped up into teaching roles for the incoming freshmen, allowing the rookie players to learn from peers instead of solely from the coaches.

“We have leadership this year with a completely different team. We have veteran athletes to share their experience and bring the younger players along,” said head coach Heather Townsend. “Coaches can tell them what to do a thousand times, but they learn better from their peers. They would rather learn from each other than teachers. The younger team members get hands on experience and role models from upperclassmen.”

The veterans have given younger players advice on the how the game is played at the collegiate level to help make the transition easier on freshman players, Melissa Anderson, freshman pitcher, said.

They give different experience and perspectives on the game,” Freshman pitcher Melissa Anderson said. “I like being at the bottom because it’s a great learning experience,” Anderson said. “[Veterans] give different experience and perspectives on the game.”

The first challenge this year was playing the earliest season opener in history against Elmhurst College on Feb. 13. The Pioneers added some training off season and participated in team-bonding activities before the start of team practice on January 25.

“Practice is already better. The players are enthusiastic and they work through their full two hours every day,” Townsend said. “The three captains have been doing a great job, and are treated as an extension of the coaching staff. The team understands the need to work harder.”

Despite the earlier than usual start of season, there were benefits for the team, who will not take the field again until traveling to the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Ft. Meyers, Fla. during spring break.

“Playing an early game means we can see where we’re at and what to work on before spring break,” Cerqua said.