Coming into the season, the UW softball team (0-0 Big Ten, 11-10 overall) did not have many expectations, as they lost it their head coach and many key players to graduation. Despite the adversity and a 1-4 start, though, new head coach Chandelle Schulte has the team playing well and above .500 heading into the beginning of the Big Ten season.
We lost so much offense last year, I think we graduated 92 percent of our hits and 45 home runs,\ Schulte said. ""We're just going to try and improve every day and have the girls feel confident about what they're doing.""
Schulte is only the Badgers' second head coach ever, following the resignation of Karen Gallagher last June. Schulte previously spent four years at the College of Charleston, leading them to two conference championships and a record of 163-82.
""I love Wisconsin-Madison and the experience has been great [so far],"" Schulte said.
Earlier in the year the UW was struggling with both hitting and pitching, resulting in such lopsided scores as 7-0 and 11-2. However, last weekend they had the best of both worlds working together, going 4-0 on a road trip to California and winning by a combined score of 27-6. Junior pitcher Eden Brock notched three of the four wins while sophomore catcher Joey Daniels batted .462 and knocked in four runs.
""[The win streak's] helped immensely, we had a pretty tough schedule [early] and we were in some games that we lost,"" Schulte said. ""I think the last five, especially the last two we've really seen it come together a little bit. We do have more confidence, we're starting a very young team, so I think that's really important.""
On a team with only one senior and many contributing underclassmen, leadership and experience are always going to be question marks. Nonetheless, the Badgers do not have to worry about that much, as many of their sophomores are already battle-tested, and the juniors have stepped into leadership roles, especially Brock and center fielder Sam Polito.
""Eden has been a key to our success, her and Sam Polito have really stepped up,"" Schulte said. ""[Polito's] hitting over .350 right now which is exceptional. Eden is No. 1 in the bullpen and we'll ride her as far as she'll let us take her.""
Although some of the wins in their current streak have not been against tough competition, the confidence gained can only help as they head into the Big Ten season. With No. 16 Northwestern on the horizon, the team must be prepared and healthy for an always-grueling conference schedule that includes its first two weeks on the road.
""Right now we're resting; we have a lot of injuries,"" Schulte said. ""We just were on a 10-day swing with a lot of games so we're taking some days off. Other than that we're just hoping to come out of each weekend series at least taking a game from each opponent, if we can do that we'll put ourselves in a good position to make the tournament and right now that's our first goal.""
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