Tracy Davis and Leigh Blohm playing softball. Photo by Elec Trainor.
For most college students, spring break means going home to see loved ones, taking a break from challenging classes, and laying out on beaches. For the Green Terror Softball team, it’s back to business.
The final week of the pre-season is played at the Rebel Games Tournament in Kissimmee, Florida during the week of McDaniel’s spring break. After a long offseason, the sunshine and diamond dirt are certainly welcomed with open arms by the team.
“I’m really just looking forward to getting back on the field with warm weather because it’s been along time since we have gotten to play on the dirt,” says All-Centennial pitcher Errine Warrenfeltz. “The Florida Tournament is very important to our season. We finally get to see the results of our hard work and dedication during the long preseason. We can also see what we need to improve on before we start conference games.”
Head Coach Phil Smith appreciates another aspect of the tournament. “The Rebel Games are one of the top two college tournaments in Florida, the competition helps us prepare for our competitive schedule back home,” explained Smith, “Also, it gives us chance to come together as a team, to see who we are off the field too, we have 7 different states represented on our team, so getting to know everyone is a part of our trip.”
Getting to know new faces should not be a problem the Terror is concerned with this year. Only losing one senior from a year ago, this year’s team is one of the most experienced groups McDaniel has had in years. Smith states, “I look forward to continuing where we finished off last year, with only losing one senior and starter, I’m glad to see the four seniors and four juniors share their game experience. We should be more game tested with an experienced upperclassmen and that will help us a lot.”
Warrenfeltz agrees that this year’s team’s familiarity will benefit the Terror. “I believe the biggest difference this year from past years is that we have a lot more experience. This will be the first season since my freshman year that a majority of starters will have at least one year of experience under their belt. Everyone should feel a lot more comfortable at their position this year.”
One player in particular will be looking to getting comfortable and back to form after missing the end of last season due to injury; Outfielder Meghan Elfert.
“When I was injured, I had to watch my teammates practice and compete… It made me reflect on the idea that this is my last season and that over the years I have put so much time into the game,”says Elfert, “I’m looking forward to just playing the game I love for one last college season and to not take each day that I am able to play for granted. “A senior season that her head coach expects to be an important one. “Meagan Elfert will be the key to our success this spring,” explained Smith.
The team expects that success to carry over to the Conference playoffs. “We have a lot of talent
and we can’t afford to cut ourselves short,” Says Elfert. “I want us to accomplish nothing short of going to the conference playoffs having the most successful year of my McDaniel career.”
