Colorado State University Athletics
CSU softball releases 2016 schedule
12/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Complete 2016 Schedule
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The Colorado State softball team released its 2016 schedule on Thursday, which includes 17 home matches, the Colorado State Classic in March and six teams that appeared in the 2015 NCAA postseason.
The season starts off with a tournament hosted by Texas A&M in College Station, Texas, starting on Feb. 12. The Rams will play Pac-12 member UCLA, who reached the College World Series last season, and the host Aggies, who were ranked for much of last year. CSU will also face Wichita State, who beat the Rams 9-6 last year in the Texas Classic tournament.
Head Coach Jen Fisher believes that playing such strong competition to open the season will be good for her team’s development.
“I think it’s better than playing in a tournament that is somewhat below your caliber,” Fisher said. “It’s better to play top competition and see what you’re against and to play well. I think UCLA and Texas A&M are programs do a lot of things right, so it gives the kids some exposure to what the top schools are doing. It’s a great way to start.”
In the remainder of the month, the Rams will face two conference champions - BYU (WCC) and Cal State Northridge (Big West) in Las Vegas. They will also meet Missouri and California, who ended the year ranked 14th and 23rd last season, respectively, at the Mary Nutter Memorial in Palm Springs, Calif.
The Rams will hold the Colorado State Classic on March 5-6 at home, where they will play University of Nebraska Omaha from the Summit conference, and Big Sky competitor Idaho State. Just prior to the tournament the Rams will host Northern Colorado for one of two games against the Bears for a home-and-home series.
“Every tournament we go to, we try to balance it where we face top competition but also have games that the kids can gain their confidence,” Fisher said. “Tournament play is hard because you have five games, and you really have to have three pitchers firing on all cylinders. Tournaments are a big test of pitching depth, but it’s also a great way to develop a really solid 2 and 3 pitcher, which is what you need for conference.”
Fisher believes her pitching staff has what it takes to deliver in tournament action.
“Holly Reinke has had a great summer and a really good fall,” Fisher stated. “She’s a professional in the sense that she’s tweaked things and worked hard over the summer. She loves to pitch, and I am excited for her. Having Logan Losh and Larisa Petakoff back from her injury will also be really good for us.”
As for conference play, the Rams will face San Jose State, Boise State, New Mexico and Nevada at home. On the road, they will visit Utah State, San Diego State, Fresno State, and UNLV. Fresno State won the Mountain West Championship last year, and both they and San Diego State advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
“We’re hoping to gain confidence,” Fisher said of her expectations for the team. “So much of this game is predicated on how you feel at the plate and how you feel on the mound. We’ve really been pushing hard to get the culture of offense that I’ve been looking for, and our personnel this year most closely matches that since I have been here at CSU.”
