As I have mentioned before, I am a huge softball player and fan. I was beyond excited last weekend because I knew that Weber State University softball had its first games of the season. WSU softball is embarking on its third season as a sanctioned NCAA sport. It’s a young program and still growing and getting better.

In recent years, (the two that the team has been around) the Wildcats have not been the most successful in bringing in wins. In their first season, they won two games out of 50. In the second season, they had a few more wins but not nearly enough. It went 12-38.

So far this year, the team has already won more games than it did in the first season. As of right now, it is 2-3 on the season. The team has the potential to perform well this year.

This last weekend, the team played No. 5 in the nation University of Oklahoma. WSU held the Sooners for a better part of the game. WSU even led 2-1 at one point. WSU also beat University of Nevada-Las Vegas this last weekend. UNLV is another great school with a great softball program.

Now if WSU could solidly hold its own against these teams. Imagine how it will do against some of the teams we play in conference like Idaho State University.

This year WSU’s pitching staff is led by senior Sarah Clark. Clark has been a part of the team for all three years. Clark has juniors Kelsie Vallies, Angela DeVries and freshman Morgan Allaband to help her out. The team’s defense is also going to put up a solid front with Ashley Huddleston at first and London Clarke, Symbree Minniear and Lindsey Minnoch holding down the infield.

Let’s not forget about the outfield. Erika James runs the outfield at center field. That girl is so quick she can get to almost any ball. I am a believer in routines and superstition, and so is EJ (James). That girl has a very set routine at bat and in the field, and I believe it works.

Let’s not forget about offense because that is where the points come from. WSU bats five lefties. There are also the powerhouse hitters like Huddleston and Minnoch who led the team in home runs last year.

I am not saying by any means that WSU is going to go and take the national championship. That is not going to happen. I am sorry, but it’s not. What WSU will do is win some games. They will be one of the teams in the middle of the conference rankings. Not the best, but not the worst.

They are not going to be dangling at the bottom of the food chain this year. They have been taking progressive great strides every year. I think this year will be more of a leap than a stride, but not a full on jump to the top.

WSU will hold its own this year. I am excited to watch the team play and win some games. I think it will be a fun team to watch this year.