After winning seven consecutive Central Coast Section championships, San Benito softball head coach Scott Smith is used to high expectations. With eight returning seniors – including all-league players Ellie Burley, Taylor Fabing, Brittany Newman and Britt Sparrer – those expectations are at their peak.
After fielding such a young team last year – void of any senior starters – the Balers return experienced and ready to continue its nearly decade old success.
The first step in doing so is simply to accept those lofty expectations, Smith said.
“It’s easier when you’re playing when you are the underdog than when everyone is looking at you and expecting things from you,” he said. “That’s what we are looking at now. We are trying to get through those expectations and working hard. We are doing the due diligence. Our biggest concern is the complacency. Our biggest challenge is ourselves and trying to motivate ourselves every day. We have to understand that one win against us could make another team’s year.”
And the players know just that and are taking it just one day at a time.
“Coming off of last year, we are not trying to do anything,” No. 1 pitcher Megan Sabbatini said. “We are not trying to repeat that. We just want to go in and do our best. I think it’s the same team so we have good chemistry so far. We know everyone’s weaknesses and strengths. I think it’s going to be a lot easier than last year.”
Last year, the Balers were stunned in a pair of league losses before rallying in the postseason with three dominant wins. This year in a new league, the Balers know not to look ahead of themselves.
“Our expectations are high,” Smith said. “Anything outside winning CCS or a league championship would be a disappointment. Not for me, I just want them to improve and have an opportunity in college. I know for them, their expectations are for us to win it all.”
The players know, though, that will begin with hard work at practice.
“Expectations I think we are working really hard so hopefully we will have good success,” Sparrer said. “We will do good. As a team we are bonding really well together. We have the same team as last year. We have a big target on our back so we have to put all heart in it. We can’t expect anything that happened in the past to happen. It’s a new day.”
But because of that familiarity with each other, the team is more comfortable than it has ever been before.
“We just have – probably – the best senior class that we’ve had here as far as numbers,” Smith said. “We have eight seniors and they are all good players. So yeah, hopefully the leadership from them will take a hold of the team. We will play really relaxed. Last year, we were nervy at times and I hope this year we stay calm and understand about the process. When you look at in on paper it looks like it should be great.”
With that familiarity comes a lack of pressure, Cassidy Heen said.
“I wouldn’t say a lot of pressure,” she said. “I would just say the fact that everyone wants to come out and beat us, that makes us stronger as a team. We have a really strong bond as a senior class. We’ve been together for four years now. It shows on the field and off the field. We are best friends – all of us.”
The Balers’ season opens Saturday during the Circle of Champions Tournament at the Salinas Sports Complex.
