Following last season’s record-setting campaign, the Cal Poly softball team had high expectations for the 2010 season. The team was set to defend their title and picked to finish first again in the Big West conference by the coaches in the preseason. Unfortunately for the Mustangs, they were unable to meet the lofty expectations which surrounded the program and slipped back to a 23-24 record this past season.
Head coach Jenny Condon said the team suffered too many unfortunate low points during the season, as they struggled to replace five seniors from a year ago.
“We dropped quite a few series in conference play and that’s been disappointing for us,” Condon said. “The inconsistency of playing really well at times and really poorly at times has been the most frustrating part for us as a coaching staff and a team.”
The frustration could be seen in the final home series of the year when the Mustangs hosted UC Davis. Davis led the Mustangs by one game in the Big West standings heading into the series. Highlighted by a 10-0 loss on Senior Day, Cal Poly could not handle the Aggies and Davis swept the Mustangs, dashing any hopes of repeating as Big West champions.
Furthermore, Condon said the team fell short in every aspect of the game. She said the pitching needs to be crisper and more consistent, while the defense needs to take care of the ball more since the Mustangs committed 58 errors this season, four more than last year’s team.
Condon also said the offense needs to be more aggressive at the plate and needs to improve with runners in scoring position, which will allow the Mustangs to put more runs on the board.
Despite leading the team on the mound and at the plate, junior Anna Cahn said this year was a struggle for her personally. She said it was tough for her to remain mentally strong after having to say goodbye to the five seniors from last year’s team. Cahn said this year’s team learned valuable lessons as the season progressed.
“I think we learned to keep your mind open to anything because you never know what positions you are going to be in or what the game plan is going to be,” Cahn said. “I think sometimes we might have gotten caught up in who was in the other dugout or what happened in the previous game and that might have carried over a little bit into the next game.”
She said the disappointments from this year serve as motivations for the offseason and as reminders of what is needed to win softball games at the college level.
“It shows you how much harder you could work, and I think we saw situations that we could work on and make ourselves better for next year,” Cahn said.
Despite the struggles, many of the younger players were able to gain valuable experience. Condon said the team saw some great performances by their younger players in conference play.
“Some of our freshmen really stepped up and showed how capable they are of playing at this level and really figured out that the game stays the same,” Condon said. “It doesn’t really matter what level you’re competing on, as long as you’re doing the right things, you’re going to be successful.”
Freshman pitcher Rebecca Patton was a two-time Big West Pitcher of the Week honoree and was leaned on more and more in the pitching circle and at the plate.
Patton said it was not an easy transition for her into the college game and she was unsure of herself at the beginning of the season.
“I was really uncomfortable at first,” Patton said. “I didn’t really trust myself that I could compete at this level. I think it was right around when we started conference is when I started becoming comfortable with myself and the team and started to know that I could do it.”
Patton said the older players on the team really helped her to settle in and realize what it took to be successful. She said the team is going to especially miss senior Krysten Cary, since she was always there for support and tips.
“She’s a great leader and I know the team will not be the same without her next year,” Patton said. “She was the team and was like a big sister to everybody.”
Also, Patton said the experience of the other two pitchers, Cahn and senior Helen Peña, helped her to settle in and overcome her struggles on the field.
“(Cahn and Peña) went through the same struggles that I was going through, and just having them there helping me push through was great, because I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them,” Patton said.
Now that this season is over, the Mustangs are looking forward to the promises of next year. The Mustangs signed their largest class ever in November, as eight incoming freshman will be joining the team in the fall. Condon said the new group of girls will help create more competition in the fall, and is looking forward to seeing what this new group can do.
“I’m excited to be able to start fresh and for the competitiveness that we are going to be able to create,” Condon said. “I think that competitive environment in practice will definitely carry over and transfer into the games … we’ll be better prepared come February to get out on the field and compete.”
Condon will lean heavily on the duo of Cahn and Patton, who will set the table for the Mustangs in the circle. Cahn said next year will be filled with mixed emotions, since it will be her final season at Cal Poly.
“I’m excited, but I’m also sad for next year,” Cahn said. “I’ve definitely worked really hard and played this game for so long. I want a national championship and believe that this team can win one next year.”
With preparations already beginning for next season, the Mustangs are eager to regain their standing as the top program in the Big West. Cal Poly will be looking to rebound from a year in which they had the most losses since Condon has been at Cal Poly. Patton said the experience that everyone gained this year will benefit the team for the future, and she is ready for the possibilities next year.
“I’m really excited about playing with this team and becoming stronger as one, and seeing how well we can do while always pushing and never giving up,” Patton said.