By DYLAN SWIHART
INF 240
After going 1-4 each of the first two weekends of the season, the Fort Hays State University softball team improved by splitting a four-game set at the Edmond (Okla.) Tournament last weekend.
The Tigers grabbed wins against Arkansas Tech and East Central to improve to 4-8 overall this year.
The team is set with a young roster with 14 freshmen this year. There are only two seniors, Jessica Espinoza and Sara Breckbill. The team graduated 10 seniors last year.
Adrian Pilkington, head coach of the team, is looking to build off last season.
“We are starting a lot of young kids, which is nice for our future,” the eighth-year coach said. “We will have a lot of talent coming through our program.”
Last season looked promising for the Tigers in the conference, going 17-9 in MIAA play.
“We were contending there in the top half, with a chance at first, until the last weekend out,” Pilkington said.
The team has its eyes set for the top spot in the conference after coming up short last season.
Breckbill is a key returning player for the team. She is a three-time all-conference player for the Tigers.
“I’m excited to see how (the freshmen) do,” said Breckbill, who is hitting .270 through the first 12 games and has a team-high three home runs. “I think we have a lot of talent on the team.”
She said this year’s squad has a different feel to it from last year’s senior-laden team.
“It’s a lot different of a dynamic than it was last year,” she said. “Last year, there was a lot more leadership. This year, there are a lot of younger girls that need our leadership.”
Freshman Lindsey Kelly has been the Tigers’ top offensive power early this season. She is hitting .489 entering the weekend.
FHSU is scheduled to play six games this weekend at the Topeka tournament, starting with a pair of games Friday. It is the start of 10 straight games in Topeka against non-conference opponents.
MIAA play begins March 11 at Northwest Missouri State University.