Undefeated softball team travels south
Although NDSU softball coach Darren Mueller insists he likes having fewer players on his roster this season, after this weekend, he might change his mind.
Today the Bison will begin play in the College of Charleston Cougar Classic in Mount Pleasant, S.C.
In addition to the two games the team played yesterday against Charleston Southern – which was not part of the tournament – the Bison will play five games over the weekend.
“It’s kind of by choice,” Mueller said of the team’s small roster. “I think the talent we have on the bench is good. They get a lot more (repetitions) this way.”
The season’s roster consists of 16 players.
Mueller was impressed with his team’s performance over the weekend.
“I was happy how we came out and played, confident and relaxed,” he said. “(Bakke) did a great job of stepping up and pitching well, I think (Andi Padilla and Becki Rasmussen) are capable as well. One of the reasons we didn’t pitch her as much was because of the turf.”
Luckily for the Bison, their pitchers can play every game of the tournament without needing a rest.
“It’s more of a natural motion,” Mueller said. “We were fortunate to practice in the Fargodome, I think that helped. Just for the first weekend that is probably one of the better starts we have had in a long time.”
Freshman infielder Melissa Chmielewski set a record.
“We knew she was going to be a good player, but we didn’t expect her to have those numbers,” Mueller said. “The power probably came as well as we thought. She had power, more for average. Our biggest thing is that we can’t schedule it.”
This weekend the Bison will play seven games. Mueller plans to play everyone once.
Seven games is the nothing new for the Bison.
“That is what we have kind of done in the past,” Mueller said. “It’s going to be good, spring break we will play 16 games over 10 days.”
Despite the small roster, Mueller feels the Bison have good depth.
“I think similar to this last weekend, it is a little bit out of our area,” he said. “It’s kind of going to be a question.”
The Charleston game could prove to be a challenge as the team has been practicing indoors because of the cold.
“Charleston practicing outside since the first day of practice helps them a lot,” Mueller said. “The first time on dirt the wind pushes the ball a bit, which might be tough to adjust to for the Bison initially.”