MC Softball Dominates the Pre-Season
The MC Scots softball team comes into the 2017 season looking to capitalize on where they left off in 2016. The team finished 25-17 last season, losing in the USA South Tournament to Averett University and Ferrum College, respectively. The main focus of the off-season was to finish what was started.
Looking at their pre-season schedule, the Lady Scots are off to achieving their goal with little stutter-steps in between.
The ladies traveled to Memphis, Tenn. for a four game tournament against two teams that they will not see during their regular season competition. They competed against Westminister College and Rhodes College.
The offense came out strong and surprised Westminister. The ball jumped off the bats all the way from the first pitch to the time the last out was made. The Scots won three of the four games, sweeping Westminister by the scores of 14-2, and 9-1. The games against Rhodes were split, the Scots winning the first one 11-3, but dropping the latter to the tune of 8-1.
After the tournament, Morgan Corland, a sophomore pitcher who is expected to have an expanded role this season in the overall rotation, spoke about the upcoming season.
“I see us having a lot of success this season,” Corland, “We came out stronger than I thought we would and hopefully we can keep these hot bats rolling throughout the season.”
The conversation flipped from team as a whole to the pitching rotation specifically, as Corland pointed out there were only four pitchers.
“Even though we aren’t as deep as we were last year, I think we have people with the type of control and accuracy that they can get in and out of innings without putting too much stress on themselves,” said Corland.
When asked about her own personal goals, Corland shied away from the spotlight and gave credit to her teammates, but still expressed the confidence she has in herself.
“I feel as though when the ball is put in my hands, I can get us out of the inning, no matter how good or bad it’s going,” said Corland.
Confidence is what will lead the Lady Scots into the spring season.
This season, the Lady Scots have 35 regular season games on the schedule, and no one is more important than the other. The USA South Division is expecting MC should be one of the favorites to win the conference, placing the team at No. 2 in the Preseason Coaches Poll.
MC had its season opener on Feb. 18 in front of the home crowd against Berea College.