The Voice - Student Newspaper

Softball keys in on chemistry

Ask anyone on the Glendale softball team about the biggest difference between this year's squad and last year's. The answer is universal.

Chemistry.

"We all trust each other a lot more," said sophomore pitcher Kayla Carlson. "I think we're all going to come together as a team this year."

Coach Rebecca Schweitzer expects the improved cameraderie to translate on the field.

"[Chemistry] helps them as far as just trusting each other and knowing that someone will be there for them."

The glue holding everyone together will be sophomore shortstop and captain Karena Brown. Brown was the only player representing the Gauchos on the NJCAA All-Region I Division II Team last season.

"There's all types of leaders," Schweitzer said. "[Karena's] definitely a leader by example. She does talk when she's on the field, because obviously the shortstop does need to talk, she's just not naturally a loud person. The girls definitely look up to her. She does everything well, so it's easy for the sophomores and the freshmen to look to her for guidance."

Brown and Carlson's experience will be invaluable to a team that plans to feature more freshman than sophomores in its starting lineup; freshmen that Shweitzer expects "to contribute right away."

Jennifer Eberhardt, a freshman out of Peoria High, brings much-needed batting power and fielding consistency, two factors that were sorely lacking last season.

After making the playoffs for the fifth season in a row and finishing second in the divisional playoffs last year, Glendale is setting its sights higher this season.

"This is my fifth year coaching, and I can honestly say this is the best team I've had," Schweitzer said. "This could definitely be the year where we have the best team and the best shot to be at the top of the conference."