The Plattsburgh State softball team kicked off its season with seven doubleheaders in Florida during spring break. The Cardinals finished the week 5-9 with only two games against SUNYAC competitors.
The Cards met Oswego for a doubleheader on day two of spring training. As shortstop, senior Brittany Marshall led PSUC to a 1-1 split. Marshall went 2-for-3 with two RBIs as the Cards dropped game one 8-4 to the Lakers. Game two saw similar success for the senior as Marshall went 2-for-4 with one RBI in a shutout victory.
Marshall said that with the incoming talent of the freshman class and not many upperclassmen going into the season, it’s hard to know what’s going to happen.
“Everyone stepped up and played amazing,” Marshall said. “It was a great experience and so much fun.”
PSUC kicked off spring training with a 1-0 loss to No. 22 William Patterson before rebounding with a 4-3 win over FDU-Florham in the second game of the day. Freshman pitcher and first baseman Lauren Graves stepped up as the hero with an RBI single for the Cards’ first win of the season.
Graves said the coaches pushed the team during the offseason to physically prepare them for the short season. The Cards will play 12 doubleheaders in 25 days with no more than a three days’ rest in between each matchup.
“It was great to have that at the beginning of the season,” Graves said, “because we know that if we can do it seven days in a row of doubleheaders, we can get through anything during the season.”
Junior pitcher Morgan Anderson tossed 36 complete innings in nine games, including five innings as the Cards shutout Lesley University 11-0. Anderson is credited with three wins and two losses on the week. Anderson said she loves playing in the Florida heat to start the season.
“It brings the whole team together because it’s our first time actually playing on dirt and not in the fieldhouse,” Anderson said.
After a 10-day vacation and spring training trip, Graves is excited to see where the team will finish after starting with a losing record. Off the field, Graves is focused on team chemistry.
“I’m looking forward to making really great relationships with everybody on the team,” Graves said.
Marshall said she’s looking to close her career with a good season.
Every team starts a season hoping to win a championship, but Marshall thinks PSUC should focus first on earning a winning record.
“It takes more focus for one day because you could win the first game, but you still have to pretend it didn’t happen and go after the second game.” Marshall said. “Or vice versa.”
All spring sports at PSUC play a short season, but Anderson said that while the season is short, it doesn’t feel that way. Anderson said she thinks the intensity will be tough for the team and its freshmen at first, but she’s confident everyone will adjust.
“It’s going to be hard getting through the second game,” Anderson said, “but that’s where your heart comes into it.”
Email Jess Huber at jess.huber@cardinalpointsonline.com
