Softball team travels to California for games

Pacific’s softball team will open the season this week with a four game series in California. The Boxers face off against Cal Lutheran in a double header on Feb 11, play Pamona-Pitzer and Whittier College in back to back games on Feb 12, and finish the trip with two games against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Feb 13. Head Coach Liz Yandall said that six games in three days is a challenge especially when you add travel into the mix but the players are ready to get out on the field and put their practice to the test.

Combining two of last year’s top five hitters with senior leadership on the mound and at the plate, Pacific looks to have success in both facets of the game.

Coach Yandall said, “our entire team has really bought into the program and they are working hard.  I am really looking forward to watching this group of players perform.”

Senior pitcher Marissa Reichard is excited for the season, saying that they have a talented group of girls this year that will help them win a lot of games and go far through league play as well as the playoffs.

As for leadership in the circle, the Boxers turn to Reichard. Reichard earned First Team All-Northwest conference honors last year for her work on the mound as well as at the plate. The senior leader said of her teammates, “As a group we are determined to give it all we have and our hope is to win a conference championship and continue on through the northwest conference tournament.”

Returning to help provide run support in the middle of the line-up are Kylee Yamamoto, who last year had eight doubles, two home runs, and 28 RBI, and Northwest Conference honorable mention shortstop, Ashley Mitchell, who added a 12 doubles, five home runs, and 36 runs batted in.

Finally Riechard, about her fellow seniors, “It is a strange feeling knowing that this is the last season that 7 of us will be playing softball. I think that we have always had great chemistry as a team and that is something that we have really worked on this year to make sure that we have the best connection on the field.”