Young Nucleus to Impact Women's Softball

They say that practice makes perfect.

The Lyndon State College women's softball team certainly hopes that expression is true, as the Lady Hornets are trying to rebound from an 8-17 season in 2011.

In order to do that, the team will need strong play from its freshmen, who comprise over two-thirds of the roster.

A 10-game road trip to the Adirondack Sports Complex Dome in Glens Falls, N.Y. provided crucial pre-season experience for the young squad. However, the Lady Hornets finished 4-6 over 10 games played, including losing the final four games of the tournament.

Freshman third baseman Katie Ste. Marie did not expect to make so many adjustments to facing college competition.

"I didn't expect the change in speed, or having to change things like batting or fielding, but you definitely have to be more ready because the ball moves faster," Ste. Marie said.

High school is certainly a different animal than college, according to freshman catcher Jillian Emery, who takes a lot more of a positive spin from the tournament.

"We're working together better…we did pretty well at Glens Falls, so I think we're going to come together well… In high school, we didn't have girls who have the experience or the want to play. And everyone has a drive here on this team," Emery said.

Though the games do not count, it is the experience in the tournament that is key for the team to be ready for the start of the regular season.

Despite initially struggling to learn how to play softball at the college level, Ste. Marie took a lot out from her 10 days in New York.

"It's definitely a lot faster than in high school. You have to change your batting style with the pitches, and I was able to learn that in the tournament," Ste. Marie said.

Ste. Marie, Emery, and the rest of the team will have two weeks to hone their skills in time for a double-header at Mass Maritime. The games start on Saturday, March 17, and will be played at 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.