The Cal Poly’s softball team is no stranger to winning. In six seasons under the three-time Big West coach of the year Jenny Condon, the Mustangs have yet to record a losing season.
With two consecutive Big West titles in their back pocket, the expectations aren’t dissipating for 2010. The Mustangs have been projected by the 2010 preseason coaches’ poll to capture their third Big West title in four seasons.
While the team is honored to receive the title, Condon said the team will not be blinded by success and will still return this season to give it their all.
“It’s nice to know you are respected by other coaches and for us there is no added pressure because we know what needs to be executed,” Condon said.
She admits that this season will be difficult but also said that she looks forward to battling for the title against some tough competition. Their schedule features 48 games, 19 of which will be against programs that earned a spot in last year’s NCAA Tournament.
“As we prepare for Big West we don’t really have a rival and we (CSU Fullerton and CSU Long Beach) are all battling to be the top three spots. This season is going to be less about rivalry and more about just good competition,” Condon said.
This season Condon said Cal Poly will stick to the same practice routine that has been successful in the past. She will wait untill the first games to see players showcase their talent to really get an idea for the months ahead.
“I think we prepare the same every year and not till the first weekend out do we really get a feel for competition and know where certain players should be positioned to showcase their strong points,” Condon said.
After losing five senior players, the softball team returns four starters from last season’s squad. With a majority of newcomers finding their way onto the diamond, questions have arose on whether the team will have the experience needed to win another championship.
“We haven’t really done anything different. Our preparation hasn’t changed,” said senior first baseman Krysten Cary. “We do have some younger girls, but bringing them in we know they know the game just was well as we do.”
Heading into this year, junior pitcher Anna Cahn does not see inexperience as an obstacle.
“Last year I felt a lot of pressure because we just lost a senior pitcher and there were only a few of us left. Everything went by so fast last year and this year and now I just want to keep building on what was happening last year,” Cahn said.
Last month, Cahn was added to the Watch List for the 9th-Annual USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year award and was named Big West Conference Pitcher of the Year. She attributed her success to her team and coaches who have been practicing intently to uphold their title.
“We have been trying to get as many repetitions in as we can and practice almost any situation we can possibly think of that we have seen in the past and that could come up,” Cahn said. “It’s a tough schedule but I think coming off of what happened last year, we are just going to take it one game at a time.”
The Mustangs will open their 16th season against Portland State in the Stacy Winsberg Memorial Invitational held on Feb. 19 in Los Angeles.