Softball girls meet in the commons every Tuesday and Thursday to have their pre-season workouts in order to prepare for the upcoming tryouts on March 2.

Kicking off the softball pre-season conditioning on Jan. 8, head coach Shari Schaake and assistant coach Shawn Stelter are excited to see the girls getting ready this upcoming spring for tryouts.  Schaake believes the number of girls coming out for workouts to get stronger before the season starts will really reflect on how  season kicks off.

“I’ve been tickled by the amount of girls; getting 12-16 kids a night,” head softball coach Shari Schaake said. “It’s better than what I had anticipated being 10 kids.”

The varsity softball team made it to State last year, but were unable to bring home the State title. This has changed the coach’s outlook for this pre-season.

Senior Elena Renner said the pre-season workouts are reflective of the team’s goals for the season.

“We’ve been working harder than in the past I think because now we know what our team is really capable of,” Renner said. “Last year our goal was to make it to State and this year we are aiming even higher.”

When players meet in the commons to workout, they are strictly there just to exercise.  Sophomore Hannah Waddell says that going to workouts is key when preparing for tryouts but there is much more to it than just keeping in shape.

“I wouldn’t say it gets easier, but it gets better the more you are prepared in advance,” Waddell said.  “I know how much work needs to be put in and therefore it makes me more determined to work hard to match the game and intensity level on the field.”

The coaches looking into the season have a tough time starting out with the injuries that have been happening in the off season and coming into this season.  Even with injuries still recovering and progressing, the softball team is still getting the 12-16 girls at the workouts.

Coach Stelter said that their significant injury loss of sophomore pitcher, McKenzie Webber, affects their pre-season a lot with starting prepare other girls going into tryouts to fill not only her spot but others.  Schaake says that their biggest challenge so far is keeping tabs on everyone in making sure all is well inside their softball life and outside.

“This pre-season there are still a lot of injuries still recovering, so preparing for tryouts has been hard to keep the players healthy but still condition with the intensity level we need going into the season,” coach Schaake said.

“Unconditional heart and soul toward each other, unconditional giving,” coach Schaake said. “It’s an unselfish act; it’s not about me, it’s about we.”