The SHS softball team has begun their season after a long tryout process. Tryouts started on Feb. 18 and concluded on March 12. The girl’s softball team promotes their goals with new coach Joseph Pfundstein.
Since the team’s tryouts were extended due to sickness among the players, each player did not know which team they were on. While this delayed the team going forward, the team continues to push their goals despite the challenges.
While this is Pfundstein’s first year coaching varsity, he is not a stranger to coaching softball at Solon. Before his current role, he was a junior varsity coach for six years at SHS. Even though he’s new to varsity, he has already been making connections with the upcoming players from previous years.
“It’s been great,” Pfundstein said. “It’s been hard to get everybody there five days because the flu is going around, and all that other stuff, so we’re finally there. We’ve gotten through it. We have small numbers this year, so it’s been difficult trying to figure out how to create the teams. We’re still kind of working that process out, but the girls have been great.”
Sydney Mancuso was one of two freshmen who tried out and made the team. She said she’s confident and more excited to play this season even though she is one of the only players in her grade.
Alison Palsa has returned after an injury that occurred last season.
“It’s been hard coming back from an injury,” Palsa said. “It was really hard to sit out and watch everyone play and get work in when I couldn’t do anything. Now that I am back, it’s been a slow process to work back to where I was previously with throwing. Because I play outfield, long-distance and accurate throws are very important. I am still working on long-distance throws without pain.”
The players are looking for certain intentions and improvements that they see within themselves to progress farther into their targets.
Mancuso said her main goal will be to gain more contact when she hits the ball. When gaining more contact she has the ability to strike out as little as she can and improve on her swing.
As a returner, Alyssa Gerome said she wants to be able to set a good example this season and hopes the team makes districts this year.
“I would definitely say I’m more vocal, and I feel like more of a leader this year, and I’m definitely using my voice,” Gerome said. “And I hope I’m setting a good example for the others around me. I definitely want to have a winning season. The past two years, we’ve kind of been 50-50, and I also want to make it to districts this year. We’ve kind of been struggling with that the last few years.”
Palsa said the goals she wants her and the team to accomplish with her last year playing for SHS.
“The goal this year is to make it to states,” Palsa said. “While it is cliche, it has been a long time since we have had a good run in the state tournament. We want to make this program one of the best to be a part of at Solon. Personally, I want to bat over .500 and uphold my own standard of myself at the plate.”
Gerome is going on almost a decade of playing the sport.
“I love being able to play a team sport,” Gerome said. “I’m able to play with some of my best friends, and it keeps me active, and I just find it so fun, especially playing like in the sun. It’s always been fun for me and I grew up playing the sport and both of my siblings played.”
Last season, the team came second in the Suburban-National Conference. This season the team wants to achieve larger wins with coach Pfundstein.
Pfundstein said that this year he plans for the girls to go all the way to states, and he’s very hopeful they will.
“We’re looking forward to doing a good season,” Pfundstein said. “As far as goals, our goals are to win our conference first and advance as far states as we can and develop this program and start the building blocks of creating a greater program here at Solon.”
