The Lady Bucs Softball team will open their inaugural season with the Buccaneer athletic program Thursday afternoon with a doubleheader at Sam Houston State in Huntsville, Texas.
After their doubleheader with Sam Houston, the Lady Bucs will compete in the University of Houston Tournament that same weekend which will provide the Lady Bucs with some stiff competition.
“A majority of those teams, at least two (of the teams) are Top 25 (in the nation),” Softball Head Coach Stephanie DeFeo said. “The rest are upper Division I competition.”
The Lady Bucs have been preparing for the start of the season in recent practices by trying to simulate game situations.
“We’ve been doing a lot of game situations, scrimmages and at-bats with pitchers,” DeFeo said. “(We’ve been doing) what we can to put ourselves in game situations and work together (to) see where we mesh.”
DeFeo feels her team’s greatest strength will be hitting. “We worked hard on it. (We’ve) done a lot of mental training,” she said.
The Lady Bucs also hope to be solid at the pitching position and from a defensive standpoint.
“Our pitchers have worked really hard. I hope we can come through with our pitching,” DeFeo said. “I think our defense will be steady; we’re young and we have to figure out who will work together the best.”
DeFeo named juniors Andrea Roberts and Jessica Hodge captains of her team, but she refuses to put any added pressure on them.
“I’m not going to put pressure on anyone. Every person needs to be a leader,” she said. “I believe for us to win we need to be solid one through ten.
“The captains were picked because of their maturity and experience at higher levels. I’m hoping they can guide the younger players through the experience.”
The Lady Bucs are ready to begin their season, but are a little nervous, according to DeFeo.
“They’re really anxious,” she said. “I think sometimes they feel they’re ready, but not. I don’t think anyone’s ready until they see themselves play.”
“We’ve practiced so long, we want to play now, we’re sick of just practicing,” DeFeo said.
No matter how their opening games turn out, DeFeo believes the trip to Texas will be a valuable experience.
“We’re excited to be able to represent this university,” she said. “This experience, going to Texas, will help us be better as a team no matter what we come back with, wins or losses.”
“I think it’ll help us mature as a team (and help us) to be successful in the Southern Conference because of the level of competition we’ll be playing,” DeFeo said.

Author