The 2014 season was the last time Muhlenberg softball wrapped up the year boasting a winning record. It seems as if this is about to change as the Lady Mules find themselves sixth in the Centennial Conference with an overall record of 18-10 and look to finish on a high note as the 2019 regular season finishes up on Apr. 25 with a final doubleheader against Scranton.
As the ladies push to to clinch their first Centennial Conference playoff berth since the 2015 season, the eight new freshmen have been integral in providing the entire group with a necessary spark.
“They have been huge contributors to our success so far. All of them bring so much talent to our team and have pushed all of us returning to work harder than ever before. They are the driving force of our team and have stepped up in high-pressure situations and have been extremely successful,” said Sophie Chong ‘21, who earned Centennial Conference pitcher of the week on Apr. 1 after wrapping up the week 2-0 with an 0.00 ERA and K’s.
“We have a very talented group of freshman and a young team overall,” said outfielder, Sarah Schubert ‘20. “The freshmen have stepped into key positions on the field and in the lineup, which has only made our team stronger.”
According to Chong, the majority of their success in 2019 stems from the bond shared between the players. “One of the biggest contributors to our success so far is the trust that we have in one another. We are constantly picking each other up in various situations whether that be after an error on the field or a strike out while up to the bat. We know that the next play our teammate will have our back and make the next play,” said Chong. “We constantly remind each other that we have to play ‘Berg Softball’ and not forget where we came from. If we continue to play the way we know how, we will continue to be successful.”
Schubert ’20 eyes the ball in 2017. Photo Courtesy of Muhlenberg Athletics
“We play as a team,” added Schubert. “Each person has a role and we need each role to succeed. We are incredibly close on and off the field as well, which has also contributed to our success.”
The Centennial Conference playoffs will begin soon, and hopes and expectations are especially high for the Mules as they venture down the home stretch.
“We have the ability to finish our season incredibly strong and as long as we continue play our game, we have the potential to go very far this year,” Schubert said.
For Chong, “remaining in the top portion of the Centennial Conference is important,” but ultimately the “biggest goal is to make the Centennial Conference tournament and play our best once we are apart of it.”
The ladies take the diamond once again, following their out-of-conference meeting with Moravian, in Chestertown, MD with the Shorwomen of Washington College on Saturday Apr. 13.
