Finding Strength in a Season of Change
CSU softball continues to grow with its young roster
Liv Sewell
Trying something new is never easy.
Whether it’s the first day of pre-K or college, the feeling is not soon to be forgotten.
The same goes for Colorado State softball. Ten freshmen now make up nearly half of the Rams’ roster, bringing a newness with them in the dugout.
Last season, the program housed seniors like Maya Matsubara, Peyton Allen and Ashley York – along with many others – who stood on a solid foundation. The team isn’t starting from scratch entirely, but the climb ahead is steep.
The Rams’ record sits at 13-20 overall and 3-6 in conference play as they prepare to take on Boise State. The struggles are apparent, but the growth behind the scenes is undeniable.
Apparent in their series against Utah State, the Rams came in hot with a five-run first inning off of Kyra Smith's grand slam, only to be left scoreless for three innings afterward.
“Everybody kind of knew that this was going to be a building year for us,” freshman Autumn Rutherford said. “Especially with losing most of our starting lineup in the seniors and then coming in with so many freshmen. Knowing that, but then not letting it hold us back. Regardless of how young or old we are, we still come out with the same energy no matter what.”
The Rams are playing the long game. The pieces are scattered, but they’re slowly fitting together.
The challenge is clear — replacing experienced veterans with a fresh group of newcomers means mistakes are inevitable. But the Rams have embraced the adversity. Each stumble is an opportunity to learn, something the coaching staff implores them to do.
“We just need to play a little more aggressively,” coach Jen Fisher said. “We have a couple of young players, and some of our veterans are second-guessing themselves a bit. We need to play with confidence, in all parts of the game.”
Confidence can be hard to find when the losses pile up, but for the Rams, growth doesn’t always show up directly in-game. Sometimes, the lessons are learned in the moments when the crowd is silent and the dust settles.
And some of the game isn’t done on the field.
For the freshmen, the adjustment extends beyond the diamond. Balancing a college schedule, often miles from home, can be just as daunting as any curveball.
“Time management is definitely something I had to learn, especially coming out of first semester,” Rutherford said. “You have to manage your time in general, just sticking with a healthy routine. And also, really prioritizing school, that's something I needed to learn. I was just learning to not fall behind.”
That learning curve isn’t just reserved for the newcomers. Sophomore Kaylynn English, now taking on a larger role, remembers the growing pains of her own freshman year. Though she didn’t see much playing time last season, her perspective has shifted.
“We went from a lot of experienced seniors – all-conference seniors – to half of our team as freshmen and sophomores,” English said. “We were a very inexperienced team, we didn't all play together before, we had 10 new freshmen, so it was a culture shock. But, by this time, there's definitely a lot of team chemistry. We play well together. We definitely have some holes in various places: pitching, defense, and hitting. But I feel like for the most part, we’ve adapted to the changes.”
So, I feel like, after this year, we'll be a lot stronger. Given that we've already played together for a year, and we're gaining more experience.Kaylynn English
Adapting has become the name of the game. The Rams have learned to celebrate progress, even when perfection is out of reach. And through it all, a spirit of resilience has begun to build a new culture – one where effort speaks louder than experience.
Rutherford has been a key piece of that cultural shift. Long before she officially became a Ram, she knew it was where she belonged. Attending CSU softball camps as a young player, she found a home within the program, a feeling cemented by the influence of Peyton Allen.
“I remember when I came to my very first CSU camp in around seventh grade,” Rutherford said. “Peyton was super welcoming, super open, just made herself known to all of the freshmen. We also connected on our previous club coach, Bobby Matthews. And then she kept reaching out. Obviously, she's a great player.”
Now, Rutherford has traded her effort for a jersey of her own. The player has a .964 fielding percentage as well as 23 runs scored to her name. With every diving catch and aggressive extra base taken, she’s proving that she belongs.
Her hustle has caught the attention of teammates like English.
“I feel like we have a lot of raw talent,” English said. “For example, Autumn. She's such a talented player, diving for balls, diving on the bases. You can just tell she gives her all every single minute she's out there. And I feel like a lot of our lineup is like that too.”
No longer the freshman waiting in the wings, English now serves as a role model to the younger players. The leadership torch has been passed, and with it, the belief that growth comes from within.
They may be young, but they aren’t lost. They are the future, but also the present. English is hitting .368 in her first season as a starter, leading the team with eight stolen bases in as many attempts. Like Rutherford, Smith is a true freshman, hitting .304 and leading the team with four home runs and 19 RBI. Lauren Stucky, a redshirt freshman, is hitting at a .333 clip, and Rutherford is at .292 batting lead-off all season.
The potential is there. While the scoreboard doesn’t always reflect it, the Rams are laying a foundation. Every swing, every defensive play and every stolen base is a building block. And as the season progresses, those blocks will only continue to stack.
There’s also an understanding that success doesn’t happen overnight. The players know that the hard work they put in now will pay off in the seasons to come.
"A lot of us, younger players don't have a lot of experience," English said. "So, I feel like, after this year, we'll be a lot stronger. Given that we've already played together for a year, and we're gaining more experience."
That mindset is already beginning to show results. Though the Rams' record may not tell the full story, the way they approach each game is shifting. They are learning to play with confidence, to trust one another and to believe in the process.
Because softball isn’t something they’re new to. It’s something they’ve done for years. Yet even in the familiar, there’s unexpected newness. A constant push to go further.
However, it's easier when everyone wants the same thing.
“That community piece is everything,” Rutherford said. “Knowing everyone has your back when you do something wrong, nobody's going to be mad at you – they’re just going to help you move past it.”
A belief in one another is the heart of the Rams’ new identity. A contagious confidence where, even in defeat, there’s a spark of optimism which remains.
Because, out there at the plate, the ball doesn't care how experienced a batter is. It simply travels, waiting to be struck. And the Rams are learning – with every swing – how to send it soaring.
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