While many students trudge to classes in the cold, Washington University’s softball team will be taking the field under the Texas sun to start its season at the Easton Classic.

The softball team is back for another exciting season after its second place finish in last year’s NCAA Division III College World Series, where it lost to Oregon’s Linfield College. Since then, the Red and Green have lost five players to graduation including four-time UAA MVP pitcher Laurel Sagartz and Wash. U.’s all-time home run leader Jamie Kressel.

Two new pitchers, sophomore Ally Berenter, who transferred from UAA rival Emory University, and freshman Claire Voris, have joined the squad this year.

Despite the much smaller than average squad, the team is not that worried. “I think having only 13 players makes it difficult, but being small makes us a much closer team, and we know how to play together and be successful,” said co-captain junior Lindsay Cavarra.

“They’re looking as if they’re starting where they left off,” added Coach Leticia Pineda-Boutté. “We’re definitely going to have a great hitting team.”

The transition has been challenging for the two newcomers but with the help of their coaches and teammates, both have settled in.

“At this point, I definitely feel like a member of the team as opposed to a newcomer and am proud to be a Bear,” said Berenter.

Voris, the lone freshman on the team, has had the added difficulty of adjusting to college life. “I’m ‘the freshman’ for sure, and I still have a lot to learn, but I’m catching on slowly, and the girls have made the effort to let me know that I’m a teammate first and foremost,” said Voris.

With such an impressive showing last year, expectations of others are surprisingly low, as the team guns for the College World Series title. The Lady Bears enter the season ranked No. 24 on the National Fastpitch Coaches Association pre-season poll.

“Personally, I’m happy to be the underdog and stay under the radar,” said Voris. “The team has it’s own expectations about the season, and those are the ones we need to focus on.”

The Lady Bears are setting their sights on the prize. “Ultimately, it’s to win a national championship, but before we can do that, we want to win UAAs, qualify for regionals, win the regional tournament and get back to the World Series,” said Cavarra.

The Bears will be looking to defend their UAA championship title over spring break for the fifth consecutive year.

On the field, in the dugout, and on campus, the Bears will be led by co-captains Cavarra and seniors Krista Swip and Kaylyn Eash.

“Our strength is that we truly have strong senior leadership that I believe will guide and support us throughout the season on and off the field,” said Berenter.

Over 75 percent of games this season will be played away from the Wash. U. softball field, but the Bears are looking forward to the thrill of away games. “There’s nothing sweeter than beating a team at their home field,” said Swip.

The first game against the University of Texas-Tyler is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 23. The Bears will then play the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor at noon and East Texas Baptist University at 6 p.m. The Red and Green conclude the Easton Classic at Tyler, Texas with a game against the University of Texas at Dallas at 10 a.m. the following Sunday.

“I am incredibly excited and ready to start this season,” said Berenter. “I can’t wait to finally be playing in games and contributing to the team.”

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