Veteran Rams Aren't Taking Shortcuts into Season

Colorado State's softball team barely dipped their toes in the water for the 2020 season when COVID-19 brought it to a halt right before conference play.

Eleven months later and the team is diving right into a tough schedule at the Texas Classic, beginning on Feb. 12 against Alabama.

Coach Jen Fisher is optimistic for the season to come, especially with a majority of the team returning to cash in on their fifth year of eligibility awarded by the NCAA.

"We've got the veteran left side of the infield and a veteran outfield, so we're pretty excited about that," Fisher said. "We've got Corina Gamboa and Haley Donaldson in the infield, and it's really exciting for us. We got Jessica Jarecki back on the mound, so that's a big-time plus. We do have a very ambitious schedule, so I think we are going to have our work cut out for us right from the get-go."

This isn't the team's first outing to the Texas Classic. Last season, the crew busted out of the gates with a successful 4-1 weekend, facing teams like Wichita State and the University of Texas.

This year's schedule isn't going to be any easier, but Fisher knows the challenge will provide invaluable experience for the Mountain West games to follow only a short six weeks after their opener.

"I think the surroundings are familiar for us and even though it's a really big stage, I feel like our team will do a good job of not being overwhelmed by that, which can happen sometimes," Fisher said. "I think they realize the bases are 60 feet and the mound is 43, so it's not a lot different. They like to play on those big stages and it's really exciting for them. Of course, they know we have some really tough games, but they can't let their guard down."

The team hasn't spent the last eleven months twiddling their thumbs. Fisher knew that the team was facing an aggressive schedule, so she needed to prepare her team for the season efficiently while also giving the freshmen some experience at the collegiate level.

With seven new faces lacing up their cleats for the first time on Ram field, this season will be as much about winning as it is growing the freshmen's experience.

And that experience comes with practice.

"[Practice is] lots of live at-bats, lots of ground balls, just reps after reps," Donaldson said. "We did take those 11 months off, but our coaches have been really good at mentally preparing us and with the COVID situation it's going to look a little different. Coach always says, 'there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad preparation.' And I think that shows what kind of team we are. We're just prepared for anything and everything that comes our way."

Luckily, there are players with experience and eligibility to return to the Rams. Though younger than most of the starting lineup, the Rams are consistent with the talent on the field and the underclassmen can pack a punch of their own.

Sophomores Peyton Allen, Danielle Serna and Julia Cabral are all expected to have great performances this season, accompanied by junior pitcher Taylor Gilmore.

"I think Gilmore was really starting to find her stride and then the virus interrupted our season," Fisher said. "We're looking for big impacts from her on the mound and both Nelly Serna and Julia Cabral are coming along really nicely. They've really worked on their game and they've worked really hard over the summer with their conditioning and their strength, so they look strong and ready and I think they're the type of pitchers that the team wants to play behind.

"Also, in their same class is Peyton Allen; she has her own category. We have pitchers, catchers, infielders, outfielders, and then we have a Peyton Allen category. She is a phenomenal player and a great person, and this is a great mix of all kinds of talent. She's got some pop in her bat, she can play middle infield, and she can catch. Out of those three sophomores, I think we're really going to see a lot of great things from them this year and in the future."

The Rams are hopeful the preparation will pay off.

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