By LUCIA BARRANTES VEGA
Sports Editor
As the softball season approaches, the Northwestern Lady Rangers are getting ready with a new roster and a renewed sense of purpose.
Head coach Casady Webb discussed the team goals and expectations.
The first goal is “to make the conference tournament,” she said. “We are not talking about the national championship or anything. We are just talking about conference championship and the ‘take it step by step’ kind of thing.
“We built a foundation last year and I told them that we are going to build a house this year. Expectations are obviously high; we want to build on what we did last year and just get better and better.”
With some familiar faces and fresh talent, the team is poised for an exciting journey ahead.
Webb talked about the 2024 roster: “We have about 19 that are transfer students, not counting the ones that have been here. We have four freshmen but not any sophomores. It is pretty much a senior/junior team.”
Fifth year Hannah Howell is the only one who has been here since she was a freshman.
The season opens with participation in the Midwestern State Tournament this Friday and Saturday. The tournament lineup includes matchups against Northwest Missouri State University, Fort Hays State University, Midwestern State University Texas (tournament venue), and Cameron University.
Webb said they have been preparing for the season opener.
“We have been outside, gaining speed and getting things ready,” she said. “Lots of long practices, lots of scrimmages against each other.”
The team will have 52 games, including 29 on the road and 23 at home. The first 10 games will be non-conference. The conference games start Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. against Henderson State University on the Ranger Field at the Alva Rec Center.
The team is ranked 10th in the 2024 Great American Conference Softball Preseason Polls. The conference leader was Oklahoma Baptist followed by Southern Arkansas and Harding.
Webb said she has made changes this year.
“I have been trying to do lots more of team building with them so they can get to know us,” she said. “I’m a believer that if you feel that the coach genuinely cares about you and invests in you then they are going to invest and vice versa.”
