CSC softball begins season in Texas
Chadron State College’s softball team finished 11-28 last season, just two games shy of the postseason, and began its 2020 season going 3-3 at the Lubbock Sports College Invitational in Texas.
“Last year you saw we had maybe three girls that were the biggest RBI producers, the ones with the highest batting averages or constantly getting on base and carrying the majority of the load.” Head Softball Coach Kaley Ness said. “This weekend was a good indicator that we have a really strong team this year that’s going to contribute all around.”
Gone for the 2020 season is Haleigh Hoefs, of Lincoln, who tied the CSC record for doubles in a season with 19 batting .447 with 49 RBIs and 12 home runs as a freshman. Hoefs was the first Eagle named All-American since the softball program’s reinstatement in 2007.
With the absence of Hoefs, CSC batters produced 38 hits and five home runs in its three wins over the weekend. Eagle freshmen flashed their abilities during the three-day tournaments with Mackanzie Kroll, of Brighton, Colorado, leading CSC with 10 RBIs, Sloane Quijas, of Erie, Colorado, leads with three doubles and eight runs scored, and DeAnna Barrera, of Las Vegas, leads with 21 strikeouts and gives up a .138 batting average. With its nine home runs, CSC ranks third in the RMAC despite playing four less games than MSU-Denver and Colorado Christian, who rank above the Eagles.
Other starters returning this season are sophomore Bailey Marvel, of Lakewood, Colorado, who led CSC with 67 hits and 110 assists, Allie Mason, senior of Loveland, Colorado, who missed most of 2019 with an injury, and senior four-year starter Ellie Owens, of Longmont, Colorado.
“I think that every single person on our roster offers unique strengths that bring out the best in each other and that alone will lead to a really great season for us.” Owens said.
In Saturday’s 10-5 loss against Oklahoma Baptist, CSC pitchers gave up 14 hits and 10 earned runs. According to Ness, CSC looks to improve at adjusting to the umpire’s strike zones.
The Eagles begin conference play against Colorado Mesa, Feb. 22, in Grand Junction, Colorado.
“I want to see us continue to build. Something we focused on through the preseason is making sure that we are taking the right mental approach. I think after we had that discussion after our third game of the tournament, the girls in the hitting lineup really made the adjustment.” Ness said.