Northeastern women’s softball isn’t just a team, it’s a sisterhood. And with its three captains at the helm, it’s on its way to another successful campaign.
Currently sitting in second in the New England East Conference, these Huskies are on the hunt for a regional championship spot.
After aa sweep against the University of New Hampshire date, the team discussed how it plans to keep the momentum going. Co-captain and outfielder Hailey Richardson, a fifth-year business administration major, said the team is always focused on the next game and the next goal.
“We are trying to focus our efforts on looking towards the next game and making sure that we’re staying on top of our practices. ,” Richardson said.
Co-captain and pitcher and fourth-year international business and international affairs combined major Natalie Lessard said the team adjusts its practices to address certain needs and adapts to opponents accordingly.
The Huskies are a young team that wants to win, and they’ve got regionals and nationals in their view, Richardson said. But just as important as winning is building a strong core so the team can gel.
“We’re all super talented individually, but I think one of the things we have been struggling with is just being a cohesive team. And we want to start off next semester strong,” said co-captain and outfielder Alexis Borek, a fourth-year psychology major.
It’s a close-knit team, regardless of age, and that’s allowed the players to form friendships off the field.
“We have great relationships outside of practice, but we are able to focus in and keep our eyes on the prize or on the practice goal or the goals of the game series that we’re having, so that’s nice,” Lessard said.
Off the field, they’re just as close, enjoying van rides to and from games.
“Especially if we win, everyone is so excited and laughing … it’s just an awesome experience,” Borek said.
The team is practical when bouncing back from a tough loss.
“[We] accept the loss, then come back to practice and work really hard; we’re going to try to fix that error that we made, we’re going to adjust our swings in the batter’s box,” Borek said. Borek thinks coach Kristen Bradley is responsible for “keeping spirits high.” The team stays focused on the fresh opportunity each new game presents.
Lessard said Bradley encourages the players to “do what’s best for themselves and their bodies” through their gruelling practice and game schedules. Richardson said she is a great listener and that the team has “very good communication with her … which has made an impact on the team.” Bradley’s attention to detail in identifying and training areas of improvement on a team and player level is vital, Richardson said.
Team traditions help ground them before a game. The team plays “Every Time We Touch” by Cascada and each player shares a personal goal for the day during team stretches. Lessard believes this practice helps players be more open in congratulating each other on meeting their goals. The team also keeps the same throwing partners to warm up with before each game.
Richardson said softball and baseball are the “most superstitious sports ever,” and each player has a specific ritual they do when they go up to bat. For Borek, that means rewrapping her gloves, touching her jersey, putting the bat over her shoulder and wearing her pearl earrings.
The Huskies continue to battle through their season, with playoffs beginning April 26.
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