The Idaho State softball team kicks off its season on Saturday, Feb. 9, but Bengal fans won’t be able to see their team play at home until the end of March.
Due to inclement weather the Bengals have to start their season by playing 28 non-conference games away from home in more softball-friendly weather conditions.
It’s a brutal way to start any season in any sport.
Their non-conference schedule consists of six tournaments with each tournament between four and five games. ISU signs up a year in advance to participate in these various tournaments with no idea which team they will be playing against. This can create mismatches both in ISU’s favor and against it.
Generally the best softball teams play in the western half of the United States and given ISU’s geographical location the Bengals’ non-conference schedule is sometimes more difficult than ISU head coach Julie Wright would prefer.
“We have to stay west because of our budget,” said Wright. “So we are always going to have a difficult preseason because that’s where all the best teams are.”
Wright would like to see her squad finish around .500 when conference play starts on March 29 against Southern Utah University.
In the Big Sky Conference, Portland State is the perennial favorite, and ISU faces off against the Vikings on March 20 at home. If there is one must-see game for ISU fans it will be the home game against Weber State on March 5.
“The series against Weber was rough last year and we all remember that one,” said Wright. “We have all circled that one on our calendars.”
This season there will be a mix of familiarity and fresh faces on the team. Returning to the mound will be 2012 Pacific Coast Softball Conference Mountain Division Player of the Year Amanda Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons pitched in 40 of 48 games, which is unheard of in collegiate softball. Offensively she led the team in RBIs, homeruns and hits with a batting average of .324.
“She was our team last year,” said Wright.
Fans should get excited for the return of Becky Molyneaux and Hailey Blackwell. Molyneaux will play either second or third. She’s a slapper, where she plays on the left side of the plate. When she lines up at the plate, she runs at the ball when she hits. She set a single-season school record in steals with 19 on 23 attempts.
“She’s going to break our stolen base record this year,” said Wright. “She almost broke the career steals record in one year.”
Breakwell, who started 48 games as a freshman will be resuming her duties at shortstop.
“She [Breakwell] can flat out play ball,” said Wright.
Terah Blackwell, ISU’s best hitter, was hurt last year and should relieve some of the pressure off of Fitzsimmons this season.
The team will get an influx of youth. Katelyn Marquez, a freshman out of California, is a speed center fielder that can really run the bases well.
“Micheala Taylor, another freshman, is really coming on strong,” said Wright, “She’s a great defensive player and is rapidly improving on offense.”
Maddy Hickman, a power-hitting freshman, should do some great things for the Bengals as well.
The goal for the Bengals is to make the conference tournament. Wright said the key to reaching that goal will be staying healthy and consistent. A lot of that will depend on if the younger players can provide consistent production.
Consistency is going to be the biggest challenge for the young softball team, which has 11 freshmen and sophomores this year. If the Bengals can make routine plays they will be fine.
“Softball is a very stat-oriented game, said Wright. “If we can play our averages, make the routine play, and move our runners up offensively we will be just fine.”