Photo - Austin Lindell
JAMESTOWN - With the change in the seasons and the snow is melting, that means softball is right around the corner.
"I'm excited to get the season started," said third-year head coach Tabatha Stenstrom. "We have been working really hard as a group in the preseason and we have been bonding well as a group."
The Jayhawks finished the 2021 season with an overall record of 4-18 and will look to improve on that.
To help with getting on track are second-year players Samantha Heppel (Angola, NY/Lakeshore Sr. HS) and Emily Horth (Little Valley, NY/Cattaraugus-Little Valley HS). Heppel saw time primarily as a pitcher earning a season record of 4-14. Heppel struck out 81 batters in 98 innings pitched. Horth saw action in all 22 games this past season, being one of the cornerstone infielders. Horth collected 16 hits on the season with five being extra base hits.
"I'm going to be turning to those two specifically to help guide our young team," said Stenstrom. "Having played a year for me, they know what I expected and will help hold our team accountable throughout the season."
Others who have had a strong preseason is catcher Heather Johnston (Brocton, NY/Brocton Central), infielders Jenna Hadley (Ellicottville, NY/Ellicottville Central), Megan Stuve (Cattaraugus, NY/Ellicottville Central), and Rebecca Ulinger (East Otto, NY/Cattaraugus-Little Valley HS), and outfielders Brooklyn McCosco (Frewsburg, NY/Frewsburg HS) and Ireland Hagglund (Bemus, NY/Maple Grove HS).
"This group of players have a lot of experience playing," Stenstrom said. "Whether is was playing at the varsity level in high school or in travel ball,
JCC will be road warriors to start out the year, playing their first six doubleheaders on the road. The Jayhawks will then have their first home games of the year as they host Jefferson Community College on April 9th and then again on the 10th against Genesee Community College. JCC will wrap up their homestand on April 12th against Erie Community College.
The Jayhawks will then go back on the road for their next three doubleheaders including a trip to No. 3 Herkimer College. They will close out their home games on Tuesday April 26th against Niagara County Community College and Thursday April 28th against No. 2 Corning Community College.
JCC will close out the regular season with their last four doubleheaders on the road.
"Our team has been used to traveling to play," said Stenstrom. "As I mentioned before, a lot of them have played travel ball in the past so they already have that road warrior mentality."
The Jayhawks will begin the season with a trip out west where they will take on Edison Community College on March 11th and against Clark State College on March 12th.
For a full list of games and times, visit jccjayhawks.com.
