By Mackenzie Madison
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With the knowledge of starting the season off against some tough competition, the Carmel women’s softball team has been preparing since the fall to fulfill their goal of winning State this year.

“Conditioning started in October and that was more weights and running. Once February came, we focused more on throwing and catching and  improving other aspects of the games itself,” Sarah Cretin, varsity softball player and sophomore, said.“I think it helps to keep exercising, and fitness as a priority. We can’t practice (until the season starts). So it’s really just keeping endurance up and building their strength. This year, I’d say we started off ahead of the game from last year. I think a lot of it has to do with conditioning and kids enrolled in Advanced Physical Conditioning,” assistant coach Amanda Holman said.

The team starts their season off with five home games against Chatard, Fishers, Hamilton Southeastern, North Central and Brebeuf Jesuit.

“I think that our team has a good chance of winning all the games against them because our team practices hard and we have always been prepared for each game,” Cretin said. Holman also said the team will do well against the competition. “I’m sure the competition will be fierce, but I have confidence in the team,” she said.

Although players have not been taking practice and conditioning easy, they do have confidence in winning State this year. “I’m very excited for this season because I think we have a very good chance of winning State this year. I think the team works really well together and we have a lot of very talented players,” Cretin said.

Holman said she agrees. “We have high expectations for the team. We were impressed by the talent that tried out. We want to win all the games we play,” she said.

To improve on her own personal talent, Cretin is setting goals for improvement for this season. “I think I’ll do a lot better with my catching this season because I worked on it this summer, but I think I need to improve on my arm strength,” she said.

Holman looks at the bigger picture of the team as a whole.

“I think we need to focus on the fundamentals, I’d also say the mental aspect of the game (needs to improve) too; knowing what to do and what to expect.”