We just got back from our first weekend on the dirt. It’s great just to start the season.
I’m so proud of how hard our team played. It’s tough to open the season against teams that have already played in a few tournaments, especially when you haven’t even practiced outdoors.
We did open the season with a nice Big East win over Providence. Our bats were red hot, scoring eight runs, winning 8-0. Junior catcher Jenna Grim was on fire, going 3-3 with a grand slam.
It’s always fun to beat teams from bigger conferences, especially when they have five games under their belt and we’re stepping on the dirt for the first time.
Our weekend highlight was definitely the toughness of sophomore Lauren Arceneaux. After playing third base for us last year, Lauren just transitioned to shortstop for us this winter, with the loss of our junior short stop.
While taking ground balls on the dirt for the first time this year, before our first game, Lauren was hit in the mouth hard with a grounder that took a bad hop.
Most athletes would have been out of commission for the weekend after that blow. There was blood everywhere, her lips were cut open from the inside and out and her teeth were pretty loose.
Lauren was bandaged up and played the two games before making a late night trip to the ER for five stitches. She continued to play all weekend through the pain.
While the injury did seem to affect her defensively, giving up far more errors than normal at shortstop, she led the team in hitting for the weekend, batting over .400, stealing a few bases and scoring some key runs.
Our first day of pitching was stellar too. Senior Amy Solava’s win over Big East rival Providence was an outstanding performance on the mound, giving up just two hits.
Sophomore Seana Stillson followed with her best outing as a Rambler, striking out seven and only giving up only one run in a great pitcher’s battle versus FAU. Amy even had a no hitter versus FAU on Saturday into the fifth inning before the game was postponed due to rain.
So, we’re preparing for our spring break trip to Clearwater and Orlando.
Softball, academics and life are all about how you respond to adversity and what you do next. We lost our last few games, but now we have to move forward.
Our team focus is definitely on what’s next.
We worked hard to address key learning moments, but now it’s time mentally to turn the page, learn from our mistakes, grow and get better.
As a coach, I love these teachable moments, trials and tribulations that forge character, make you work harder and become more tenacious.
Our coaching staff has called this season a journey, and, as in any great story or journey, there will be ups and downs, there will be peaks and valleys.
With great senior leadership, experience and mental toughness, I’m excited to see how the teams come out on our next trip.
We open up with nationally-ranked top 25 team, UMASS on Friday. What a fun opportunity right out of the gate.
We’ll play nine games over spring break. We’re looking to create some momentum to carry us into conference play in late March.
Yvette Healy
Head Softball Coach
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