The California Baptist University softball team is preparing for the new season and is looking to have as much success as they did in 2014, when they split a PacWest championship with Dixie State University.
The Lancers finished last season with a 46-13 overall record and made their first-ever NCAA postseason run.
For the 2015 season, the Lancers will come in as the No. 23-ranked team in the NCAA Division II preseason poll. The Lancers will not be lacking leadership as they return with experienced players.
The team only lost two seniors at the end of last season to graduation and will only have three seniors on the roster this year.
Savannah Miller, senior kinesiology major and catcher, said she plans on taking on her leadership role seriously this season.
Last season, Miller was named to the National Fast-pitch Coaches Association All-West Region team. She also led the softball team in on-base percentages for the season.
Krista Mann, sophomore kinesiology major and shortstop, played her first season last year as a freshman and was named PacWest Freshman of the Week four times. She said she hopes to improve her numbers this season.
The Lancers will begin their away schedule with a road tournament as they will attend the NFCA Division II Leadoff Classic Invite in Tucson, Arizona, Feb. 6-7. Their next tourna- ment will be the Desert Stinger Tournament, Feb. 12-13.
Bill Baber, head coach of the softball team, said he is optimistic about the upcoming season. Baber said the team has retained a good ratio of younger and older players.
“I like the experience that we have; a lot of people that got playing time are back this year.
We have a great opportunity this next week to show it,” Baber said.
Although Dixie State is favored to win the PacWest, Baber said he believes his squad is up for the challenge.
“It will definitely be a battle,” Baber said.
