The Clark softball team moves toward the new year with high hopes as they put last year's 3-17 season behind them.
After working on conditioning winter quarter, Clark's team has started to do some skills activities during practices. With eight freshmen and five sophomore players, head coach Kasey Powers realizes he has a balanced team that will give more on offensively and defensively compared to last year's group.
"It has been good," Powers said. "My new sophomores have been really good about leading. It is a good start (because) they really want to work harder."
According to Powers, sophomore leadership will be the key for the upcoming season.
"(It's) exactly what we need," he said, "a group of sophomores that come out and show the freshmen what it takes to play at the college level."
Powers' confidence hangs on three of his most experimented players.
Lindsay Sasse is topping Clark's pitching rotation and she is the most prolific hitter returning from last season.
According to Powers, Sasse is one of the best bats on the team and also the main leader of the group.
Sasse said she feels really good and excited with this team, pointing out that there is no drama this time.
"We had a bunch of drama last year and it just didn't work," Sasse said. "It is something that kills your team."
"(Sasse) is a kid who is a great leader and gets everybody else motivated," Powers said.
Jaime Henderson, a left-hander at third base and shortstop, is certain this season will be better than last year after Clark finished last in its division with a 3-17 record.
"(Henderson) is the second leader on the field," Powers said. "She is another sophomore that is going to help."
Erica Sturm, the starting catcher, is the multipurpose player of the team.
According to Powers, Sturm can play first, second and third base and all the outfield positions.
"Whenever I am going to need (Sturm), I am going to put her in there and she will do it," Powers said.
Sturm said there is a lot of talent in the team, and that sometimes it is good for them to get their minds off of the game.
"We have some things planned for going out to for dinner and some bonding activities throughout the season," Sturm said. "We have some things planned like going out to dinner, and team bonding activities that we are going to do throughout the season," Sturm said.
The Penguins will play 20 matches before the league starts, including six games and four preseason tournaments. Their first league game will be on April 6 when they visit Southwest Oregon Community College.
Contact Juan Luis Cornejo j.cornejo@students.clark.edu
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