By James Hernandez
Wrapping up the most successful regular season in program history, the College of Southern Nevada’s softball team looks to close out the regular season with a bang and make a championship run in the postseason.
Despite the team’s impressive regular season, which included a third-place poll ranking in the National Junior Athletic Association and a 14-game winning streak, some players still feel their journeys are far from over.
The team’s chemistry is a big reason for its success on the diamond. This unique blend of seasoned sophomores and enthusiastic freshmen has come together nicely for Coach Callen Perreira and his staff this season.
“This group of girls definitely has the most individual talent and pure athleticism of any team I have ever been a part of,” said sophomore standout Ariel Frantz. “These players care and look out for each other like family and that is a huge reason why we were able to accomplish such great things this season.”
Frantz, named NJCAA’s player of the week in March, demonstrated tremendous talent throughout the season. She held a season batting average of .515 and positioned herself as a serious contender to make the Region 18 First Team. Despite this, Frantz insists that her individual accomplishments take a backseat to the overall goals of the team.
“As special as all the individual accolades are I don’t want to dwell on them, because I feel that as a team we have much more important goals to accomplish together,” Frantz said. “Without a doubt in my mind we have the potential to take it all the way and truly make it a season to remember.”
Coming down the stretch the Coyotes hopes to finish on a high note and get ready for the Region 18 tournament and hopefully the 2014 NJCAA College World Series.
Sophomore infielder and future Oregon State Beaver Mikela Manewa spoke about the bond that makes this team unique both on and off the field.
“It’s crazy, I genuinely love every girl on this team,” Manewa said. “I am truly honored to be part of the team that put CSN softball on the map and as a veteran leader my goal is for us to win every single game from here on out.”
With four games left in the season Coach Perreira is proud of the strides his team has made in his second season. “I coached at the University of Hawaii at Hilo for over 20 years and coming here to CSN we wanted to re-establish this program and move it in a positive direction,” Perreira said.
“At the end of the day we have a very talented bunch,” Perreira said. “It’s all about them believing in themselves and their abilities. We may not be the favorite to win it all as far as the standings are concerned, but in our own minds we feel that we have the skills and ability to be champions.”
For more information on CSN softball visit www.csncoyotes.com.
Coyote Student News at the College of Southern Nevada 