Baseball and Softball Seasons Begin

The baseball and softball seasons are in full swing with teams having daily practices to prepare for their first games of the season. Next week, both of the teams will be traveling to Florida where their seasons will officially begin. Baseball captain Michael Knapp ‘15 said, “I am most excited about getting the year started off in Florida against some good competition. We have a lot of potential this year and [it’s] always good seeing how you match up against good teams.” On February 22, the baseball team will play Concordia College (Moorhead) in Winter Haven, Florida and the softball team will play Johnson State College on February 23 in Clermont, Florida.

According to head coach of women’s softball, Brianna Allen, softball has an unusually young team this year. Allen said, “I am really excited about how young our team is, we have six freshmen that will all be instant contributors to the program and great additions to our upperclassmen.” There are only four returning players, two seniors and two juniors. In addition to the change in their roster, the team has a new head coach this season, Allen who was the assistant coach under Nora Duffy last season, has now stepped into the role of head coach. “I have seen a lot of heart and a strong desire to win out of this group,” said Allen. “These girls are really embracing what it means to be a Highlander on and off the field and they are creating a solid team culture that I hope we can strengthen and grow for many seasons to come.” This season, Allen wants her team to develop a high level of mental tenacity so they can hold their heads high in the face of challenges. Captain Jessica Hayner ‘15 added, “Every time we come together we want to embody grace, positivity, and courage.”

The baseball team is also starting the season with a young team. This season, they have twelve new players comprised of first year and transfer students. “We lost a lot of pitchers last year and some guys who played a big part as leaders on the team,” said Knapp. “It will be a challenge but I think some of the younger guys and a few transfers will step up and fill those roles.”

The team has also acquired a new addition to their coaching staff. Chad Muise ‘15, has made the transition from former player to pitching coach. “Looking at the game as a coach compared to a player is a whole different feeling,” said Muise. “I am extremely blessed to be able to get a start to my collegiate coaching career under Coach Reitnour, and watch how every action conducted is so thoughtful and meticulously planned out.” Concerning their  goals for the season, the team wants to be the hardest working in the country, make the National Christian College Association (NCCAA) playoffs, end the year in the top of the Empire 8 conference, and to improve and grow together as a whole.”

Both the baseball and softball teams host several clinics in the spring. This past weekend the baseball team hosted two winter clinics, the first of which was focused on providing an opportunity for little league players to learn more advanced techniques, such as hitting and pitching.  The second clinic was geared toward more advanced varsity, junior varsity, and modified-level players and covered techniques including hitting, catching, pitching, and fielding. According to Reitnour, the goal of these clinics is to spread the love of this great game by offering high quality instruction in some of the best facilities in the northeast at an affordable price.”

Next month on March 12 the softball team will host a clinic featuring Jennie Finch, an Olympic softball gold medalist pitcher. The clinic will be aimed toward girls ages 8-18 and will be offered at the Kerr-Pegula Field House. Finch, along with Houghton coaches, will run drills that focus on pitching, hitting, and defensive skills in addition to instruction on strength and conditioning training. Finch no longer plays professionally, but is an avid member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Softball and is very involved in the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team. “Being able to attract guests of Jennie’s caliber will be huge for Houghton softball and athletics, giving us a great opportunity to show off our own coaches, athletes and facilities,” Allen said.