The ETSU softball team, like many other athletic teams, was forced to cancel the remainder of last season’s schedule due to COVID-19.
Though last year’s conclusion was rather disappointing, ETSU softball head coach Brad Irwin believes that a lesson was learned throughout the process.
“Last year, our season was cut short,” Irwin said. “I think that it really taught us to not take the sport we love for granted.”
Although the future looks clear, Irwin admits that practice routines have been altered to better protect the athletes and coaches from the lingering disease, which continues to plague the world of sports.
“Right now, we’re having to be creative due to the COVID-19 protocols,” Irwin said. “We can’t just go out and do things the way that we’ve always done them. We’re managing it, and it’s just the hand that we’ve all been dealt.”
Irwin’s unique optimism has seemed to rub off on the team, as they have begun to practice and prepare for a brand new season — a season that will be all but normal.
However, the unusual season has done all except shift the team’s focus, as they enthusiastically hit the softball field once again.
“You can tell that they’re excited to be out there,” Irwin said. “It seems that they’re glad to have a little slice of what they love back.”
Now the ETSU softball team prepares to set their sights on a new opponent: the entire Southern Conference. There is little question about ETSU softball’s expectations for next season, as Irwin made their ambitions very clear.
“Every year, our goal is a [Southern Conference] Championship,” Irwin said. “I don’t see any reason why we can’t challenge for that with the talent that we possess.”
