After going undefeated against MIAC competition last season (25-0), the St. Thomas softball team is again the unanimous favorite to win the conference after receiving all 11 first-place votes from the MIAC coaches.
The Tommies, who went 41-7 last season on their way to the NCAA tournament, are also ranked No. 11 in the nation in the D-III preseason poll. Despite the preseason recognition, coach John Tschida is quick to deny that there is any pressure on the team because of it.
“That’s the fun part. You grow up your whole life wanting to be No. 1 in the nation and number one at what you do,” Tschida said. “When you get there, why would you panic?”
St. Thomas returns a wealth of experience from last year’s team. Twenty-five varsity players, including 11 seniors, make for what the players said is a dangerous team.
“There are just so many leaders that lead by example and work so hard,” pitcher Kendra Bowe said. “You can see how badly they want it.”
Bowe, who was named MIAC pitcher-of-the-year in both of her first two collegiate seasons, is 42-7 in her career with a 1.40 ERA.
Along with Bowe, senior catcher Emily Gregory (30 career home runs), and senior shortstop Jenna Hoffman (155 hits in 119 games) are a few of the players the Tommies will be counting on to continue the success of the program.
“In past years we’ve been really focused, really trying to get better everyday, and we’re just going have to keep that up,” Hoffman said. “We have to keep up the same intensity and come in every day ready to work hard and do all the little things.”
The maturity and experience of the 2014 team is something Tschida is relying on to make this season, as well as his own job, easier than in past years.
“When (players are) older they tend to be a little smarter, and make better decisions on the field,” Tschida said. “So as a coach, you have less grey hairs (in seasons like this).”
With such experience, the Tommies said they know exactly what is needed to get to where they want to be at the end of the season.
“Our goal is to win a national championship,” Bowe said. “Halfway through the season it’s easy to come out and just go through the motions, and to not do that and just keep getting better every day and staying strong all the way through the season will help us accomplish that.”
The Tommies opened their season with a split series against Wis.- River Falls winning the first 11-8 and losing the second 6-5 at the Rosemount Dome before heading down to Florida for their annual spring break trip.
The team’s home opener will be April 1 against Concordia-Moorhead.
Scott Sikich can be reached at siki3549@stthomas.edu