Taylor Meeks

Sports Writer

The Idaho State University softball team is gearing up for the 2019 season with bigger goals, better attitudes and new energy.

With a large group of seasoned players returning, the team faces a tough preseason schedule that includes nationally ranked top 25 opponents. 

“We need to come out of the preseason a better team than when we first started the preseason,” said head coach Candi Letts. “That strength of schedule will help us prepare for conference play and get our momentum going.”

Last season, the Bengals finished 13-34 overall and 8-13 in Big Sky Conference play. With a roster of talented returners, as well as newcomers, the Bengals hope to lead the conference this year. 

To start the season, the softball team is competing in five preseason tournaments which include the Cal State Fullerton Titan Classic, the UC Davis Aggie Invitational, the Colorado State Classic, the Washington Husky Classic and the CA Riverside Tournament. 

“It’s not like we are a small school, but those big teams like Washington, Riverside, Fullerton, those are the games you dream about when you are little,” said fifth-year senior Haley Harrison. “It’s exciting, and I think those big games are what’s going to push us to the edge to become the conference champions within our own conference.”

In previous years, the team hasn’t seen the success that it has wanted. The last time the softball team won the Big Sky Conference regular season was in 2015. 

After grinding hard through the 2018 fall season and training, the team has a renewed chemistry, energy and more talent to power them through the season and into the conference tournament.

“This year we have a better attitude towards everything,” said junior Emma Bordenkecher. “As a team we are more focused, and we are trying to win instead of hoping to win. I think we are all putting the team first instead of ourselves.”

ISU welcomed a new assistant coach, Krystal Orozco, prior to the start of the 2018 fall season. She joins the coaching staff after an impressive Division I softball career at St. John’s University in Queens, NY.

During her time as a collegiate athlete, Orozco was named to the NFCA Freshman of the Year Top 25 List and she broke the single-season home runs and single-season hits records as a senior. 

She was awarded several post-season awards including the Big East Tournament Championship Most Outstanding Player, Big East Player of the Year, ECAC Player of the Year and NFCA Division I All-Great Lakes Region Team.

“It’s always great to have another set of eyes, another person that understands the realm of where we need to be and where we need to get,” Letts said.  “She’s in charge of our hitting. She’s very good, she’s very organized, she comes with a new skill set and swings that she brings to the players.”

Unlike previous seasons, the softball team has a variety of strong pitchers for the 2019 season. With the addition of two freshman, the team now has five pitchers on staff to help thwart their opponents.

The team has the athleticism, the catching talent, experienced players and a good infield and outfield, but the seasoned pitching team is by far the strength of the team this year. According to Letts, pitching is where it all starts.

Once the Bengals finish out their preseason games, conference play begins at home on March 23 against the Portland State Vikings.

“I am looking forward to winning,” Harrison said. “Not only do we have the ability to do that, but we want to do that.”