After a disappointing season last year, the BYU Softball team is now looking to make big strides for this upcoming season.
This Saturday, the Cougars will open their eight game fall schedule. The team will host the College of Southern Idaho at 4:00 p.m., following which, the Cougars will also host and play in-state rival Weber State at 6:00 p.m..
BYU's Carly Duckworth lays down a sacrifice bunt during a game against Marist College at Gail Miller Field last season. Photo by Universe Photographer.
This will be a great opportunity for the team to help integrate the six new true freshman into the Cougar's system. The coaching staff hopes the new players will come out and be aggressive and start to gel with the more experienced players. These games will help give the staff a good idea of what to expect for the upcoming year and to know which of the young players are ready to break into the starting lineup.
'Our number one goal is to win and our number two goal is to shape and develop the team as one cohesive unit.' head coach Gordon Eakin said.
One player to keep tabs on during Saturday's games is senior outfielder Carly Duckworth. During practices, Duckworth has consistently been able to get on base. This fall, she has proven she is an invaluable asset to the team.
'We need Carly to be successful, for us to be successful' Eakin said.
The first pitch of the tournament will be thrown Saturday morning when both of BYU's opponents play each other, and the Cougars will then take the field at 4 p.m.