After a strong rookie softball season, Cal Poly alumnus Sierra Hyland re-signed with the Chicago Bandits, the team that drafted her fourth overall earlier this year. In her rookie campaign, Hyland racked up one win, two losses and a 3.57 ERA in 15.2 innings pitched.
At Cal Poly, Hyland broke school and Big West conference records while pitching. She set a conference record with 965 strikeouts during her four years with the team and became the only player in Cal Poly softball history to have three seasons with 200 or more strikeouts.
“When she was on the mound we always knew we had a shot to win,” Cal Poly softball head coach Jenny Condon said. “I think sometimes it just exuded confidence in everybody else. Not to say that Lindsey [Chalmers, junior pitcher] didn’t because our entire pitching staff last year did a great job, but it just she’s got such great presence that you always feel like you’re in the game when she’s in there.”
Condon said one of the things that stands out most about Hyland is her drive and how Hyland’s hard work always paid off on game day.
This summer, Hyland played her first season with the Bandits and, according to Condon, one of the hardest parts is out of the way.
“I think having that year under her belt, she played in the pro league this last year, it’s just a different experience,” Condon said. “So knowing what to expect, being able to train and going into the summer next summer, I think she’s going to be that much more successful and a bigger impact player on their team.”
Hyland’s impact is not just limited to the field, Condon said; Hyland is also a great teammate and person.
“Besides being a phenomenal player, she’s a good person, a good teammate, great person in the clubhouse and it’s not every day someone that talented comes along, so it was pretty fun to watch,” Condon said.