The State Fair Community College softball team has been busy preparing for the upcoming season, the program's eighth since the program began. Head Coach Michele Rupard likes what she has seen from her team this offseason.
"Practices have been really good," said Rupard. "They have been challenging because we have been kind of all over the place with the weather. We've been able to get outside one time so far, which was February 1. The kids have had a lot of energy at practice. We have a lot of players who enjoy the practice part of the game. We have a very young team. Some of our kids have matured over Christmas break a little bit. We have a small group of sophomores who I think lead by example. We also have some strong personalities in our freshman class who want to work. They are ready to go."
Coach Rupard has a specific style of softball she would like to see the team play this season.
"We are a faster team this year," said Rupard. "We are a smarter team this year from a softball perspective. We will be able to do a little bit more both offensively and defensively from a strategy standpoint. The long ball is not going to save us this year like it did last year. We are going to have to be able to move some people around and do some different things on offense.
SFCC will be led by three players who saw a lot of innings last year. Middle infielder Sami Picha, catcher Paige Klinge, and sophomore outfielder Jaelyn Winfrey.
"I expect all three of those players to be leaders on our team," said Rupard. "Our returning sophomore pitchers Grace VanDenburgh and Charlee Reese are going to have to be leaders for us. We have some freshmen who are very softball smart like Emily Burke. Aireanna Hoeppner will provide us with a lot of good energy. Bailey Haselhorst is another player who will provide us with good energy."
Coach Rupard feels that the catching position will be key for this year's team.
"Whoever's catching for us between Paige Klinge, Lia Hill, and Bailey Haselhorst will be key for us," said Rupard. "Emily Burke will be big for us on defense. She knows the whole game. Jaelyn Winfrey and Becca Hall will be important for us in the outfield."
The pitching staff is very diverse with different skills and different strengths that they will bring to the circle according to the coaching staff.
The Lady Roadrunners will face another tough schedule to prepare them for Region 16 play. The schedule begins with an eight-game road trip, including a split doubleheader against Southeastern Community College and Des Moines Area Community College at the SCC Turf Tournament on Friday, February 16. SFCC is scheduled to open the home portion of their schedule with a doubleheader against Central Methodist University Junior Varsity on Tuesday, February 27. The first pitch from Mandy Thomas Field is scheduled for 1 p.m. The Lady Roadrunners are scheduled to open the Region 16 schedule on Tuesday, March 5 with a doubleheader against Three Rivers Community College. The first pitch from Mandy Thomas Field is scheduled for 2 p.m. The Lady Roadrunners will close their regular season schedule with a doubleheader at Indian Hills Community College on Tuesday, April 23.
"We are on the road a lot early because we have to be," said Rupard. We're on the road the first three weekends. We wanted to get on the road early and stay overnight to work on our team chemistry. It is difficult to do when your home and everyone just goes back to their apartments."
The Region has expanded to eight teams this season, which will add a Sub Regional and make the regular season even more important because the top four teams will host a Sub Regional.
The Lady Roadrunners have some goals that they would like to accomplish this season.
"Our first goal is to host a Sub Regional," said Rupard. "We want to finish the season at or above .500. We want to maintain our GPA of 3.5 as a team.
Coach Rupard sees a couple of keys to success this season.
"We have to play as a team," said Rupard." We have to create a bulldog mentality within the team. We have to be locked in as a team and be able to perform on the days that we need to perform. We have to find ways to get the job done."
David Rohrbach
SFCC Athletics