Six seniors, one junior, four sophomores, and two-twin power house freshmen are the main components of this years varsity girls’ softball team. And with a team motto, of “believe, and great things can happen,” the girls have already come out fighting early on this season in exhibition play.

The girls faced off in their first exhibition game against Lincoln High School securing a needed victory to set a precursor for the rest of the season winning against a tough Lincoln team 3-2.

However the rest of the pre-season has not been going the girls way, they have completed all their pre-season games and will go into SFL play with a 2-5 record. After a win against Natomas the girls went on to lose against Del Campo 2-3.

Next up was the Pre-Season Tournament of Champions at Johnson High School. In their first day of play they lost a close game to Elk Grove 1-2 and tanked against Casa Roble with a 1-6 loss. Their next day would prove to be a little better winning their only game 1-0 against Oakmont, but in the final game of the tournament the girls were shut-out by St. Francis 0-3.

Coach April Steele feels that “After a month of practicing, two scrimmage games, and an already won exhibition game against Natomas… that this could be one of the strongest teams that Rocklin has ever had.”

She just may be right. After all, the team not only offers lots of returning experience and knowledge, but several fresh young and eager athletes with determination in their blood.

The newest arrivals to the team Junior Ashley Corriea from East Union High School, and twin sisters and the only freshmen to make it on this year’s varsity team, Jocelyn and Rochelle Vanyi, are proving to the team that they can more than hold their own.

Coach Steele says that she “wants the captains and especially the leaders of the team guide its newest members.” As well as having another of her goals when she is coaching to be, “When it comes to game time, for the game to run smooth with the girls running the show.” Coach Steele goes on to say that it’s not necessary for her to run a strict team as she believes “A true player is strict on themselves and doesn’t need the coach to make them work hard.”

Coach Steele being a PE teacher at Rocklin varies her coaching tactics from her PE tactics, using her job as a coach as a means of teaching players how to understand the game and think for themselves, while giving them freedom.

It is Coach Steele’s belief that star pitchers Shauna Martin and Marissa Hardy are going to have their best year yet. She also expects just the kind of great leadership and all around play from her two senior captains, catcher Jenna Crockett and Jackie Roberts, who plays second base can offer, that will hopefully aide the team in their playoff and division title hopes.

When Steele was in High School attending Casa Roble, she led her team in her senior year to a division title and later on in college, on a softball scholarship, she became an All-American Player.

Focusing on keeping their bats hot when at the plate, and stressing communication and focus, will hopefully aide the girls in their still tough upcoming schedule of teams in SFL play, and perhaps turn around what has been a not so successful pre-season.