The softball team proves, yet again, that they are a force to be reckoned with. As the season progresses, the team is 22-5 overall and 14-0 in conference. 

The Golden Eagles are ranked No. 22 in the country in this week's NFCA DII national Top 25 poll, and they are also undefeated in conference play. This includes their four-game sweep against Academy of Art, Dominican and Hawai’i Hilo.

The team’s experienced and talented lineup is the main contributor to their wins. Cortney Koelmans, a senior and pitcher on the team, was the pitcher of the week for two shutouts and no earned runs in 10 innings against Art U. 

Koelmans said, “Pitching comes with a lot of pressure, as every pitch matters. If you do not hit your spot or spin the ball to the correct location, the hitters are more likely to get a hit and score runs.” She added that there are many factors to think about when pitching that also comes with pressure; such as protecting the lead late in a game. Koelmans said, “I just continue to tell myself to focus on one pitch at a time, and if they end up hitting, I know that my team will have my back and pick me up.”

Missy Nemeth, a grad student and first baseman on the team, was player of the week for the third time this season after the sweep against Art U. She currently has 23 RBIs in 2024. Nemeth attributes her consistent performance to her team. She said, “We have put in a lot of hard work to continue to be successful. Our practices are very intentional and we spend more time working on the things that we did not do as well in the last game or practice.”

The Golden Eagle’s success is built on a foundation of trust and communication. Koelmans said, “The chemistry I have with my teammates contributes to our success, as we are all super close on and off the field. We are always rooting for each other to succeed, whether in softball or life in general.” 

Nemeth noted that each player brings something unique to the diamond. She added, “We always have each other’s back out on the field. If someone is not having their best day, we know that one of our teammates will step up and be what we need to win the game.”

The accomplishments of the team showcase the leadership of head coach, Crystal Rosenthal, who is also the university’s athletics director. Koelmans said, “Our coaching staff also does a great job preparing us for our opponents and helping us improve.” She added that the support and preparation from coaches allow the team to relax and focus on having fun.

Rosenthal has instilled confidence and fostered a winning mentality in her players. Nemeth said, “Something we talk about a lot is playing every game like it’s the most important game. That is the mindset we take into every game and I think it really helps in our success.” She noted that if the team wants to reach their end goal they have to continue to win.

As the season advances and stakes continue to rise, the Golden Eagles show no signs of slowing down. Koelmans said, “There is pressure to maintain an undefeated record, but each game is just as important as the next, so we focus on our opponents as they come up and do not spend a lot of time looking to the future or focusing on the past.”

The softball team is fueled with determination as they gear up for the Otter Softball Invitational this weekend, Fri., March 22 through Sun., March 24 in Marina, California. Look out for the next home game and double header against Chaminade on Tues., March 26. The first game is scheduled for 3 p.m. followed by the second matchup at 5 p.m.

Follow @cuisoftball and @cuigoldeneagles on Instagram to keep up with the latest updates. To stream the live games, visit cuigoldeneagles.com.

Tags: Softball

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