The 2014-2015 softball season has begun, with last year’s varsity loss in the CSS championship game, still on the mind of Coach Scott Smith, who said he didn’t see enough blood and tears left on that field after that game.
Noel Chavarria, a freshman on this year’s varsity, said, “This is my first year playing softball as a Baler and being on varsity with the loss last year, I have a pressure on me that I need to work harder to make sure we get to that championship game.”
With a number of returning players and an infusion of young talent, the team hopes to return to the title game, which it had won 8 times in a row prior to last year.
JV coach John Young said, “This year I see a lot of heart for the game of softball and I believe practices and games will get tougher and longer, which will make the girls improve tremendously.” Cassidy Aalgaard, a sophomore on JV, said, “I am excited for this season of softball to start and I am also ready to go on that field with an open mind and play with my all.”
Frosh coach George Ramirez said, “the team I have this year has a lot of potential this season, and I honestly think the skill and passion for the game improves every year. This season I feel my team can go undefeated as long as they keep their heart on that field.”
Desmin White, a sophomore on the frosh-soph team, said, “the best part about the team this year is the bond we all have and because we all have the sister bond I feel that season is going to be a great season of Baler softball.”
The JV and frosh teams had a preseason tournament in Watsonville on Feb. 28 and the JV and varsity started their season off with a weeklong tournament at Pioneer High School from March 9-13. The frosh officially started their season on March 11 against the Salinas Cowboys, a game the Balers won 11-3.