The softball team is off to a great start for the season. Their first games were at the Red Mountain tournament where they won all six games they faced against: Deer Valley, Gilbert, Corona del Sol, Desert Ridge, Tucson, and Chaparral.
Coach Rob Hehe said, “on Wednesday we hit seven home runs and scored thirty-eight runs in two games.” Throughout the rest of the tournament, the Pumas played against much higher quality of the opponents. Their hits went down, but they still came out with an undefeated title.
But no matter the result, there is always room for improvement.
Senior Piper Lujan said, “to prepare for future games we are working harder on both our defense, offense, and just bonding as a team together.”
The tournament helped to boost the season with an accomplished beginning and now the team is stepping up their game.
“It helps[us] focus on the problems we have. We played exceptionally well – pitched well, played well – but our hitting is tactical, so we have to find a way to be more consistent with our bats,” said Hehe.
Coming up to bat requires a certain mindset in order to hit well. Senior Kylee Walter said, “just see the ball, hit the ball, you can’t really think about it. If you think about it too much you’re going to overwhelm yourself and not do as well.”
To get this mindset, the players focus on their ability to hit the ball; to know that they can do it and cheer on their teammates.
Persisting with their goal to improve will further the Pumas season to keep going well. But from the looks of it now, the team is pretty confident.
Lujan said, “I think the way we played in the tournament really proved to everyone that we are a force to be reckoned with this year.”