Mesa Softball season preview
Friday February 16, 2024 - 10:10 a.m. | Dylan DeVlieger
The MCC Softball team takes to the diamond on Saturday for their season opener in a non-conference doubleheader against Northern Arizona University (Club).
The Lady T-Birds are coming off a 27-30 (20-28 ACCAC) showing last year where they took home third place in the Region I postseason. Though it has been less than a year since MCC softball took the field the program could not be more different.
Every year there is change on teams from players to cultures to strategy. This season however, the Lady T-Birds will be led by someone other than Grady Moorhead for the first time since 2015 following his resignation in the early fall of 2023.
Interim head coach Raychele Wilson will take the reins for Mesa this season. Wilson is actually a former player of Moorhead, putting on the MCC red and blue in 2016-17.
For Wilson coming home was almost meant to be, but coming into a new program and being the head of the table did feel overwhelming at times.
"For sure, definitely in the beginning. One we had a group of girls that were expecting one thing and then I'm a completely different person with a new coaching style," said Wilson, "I feel like that was very overwhelming for all of us as a whole, we definitely battled some hurdles. The girls did a really good job in welcoming me, especially the returning players."
Wilson and staff were adamant on putting together a comprehensive plan rolling into the spring as they ramped up for the season. Being competitive was extremely important to incorporate in their training but just as important was to do things that would continue their love of the game.
"I wanted to build a competitive, fun atmosphere for them to fall in love with the game. I had a lot of fun just seeing them build their chemistry, with that obviously getting in condition and softball activities, but it was nice to start the season with a fresh slate from the fall," said Wilson.
Within the drills done at practices and the mentality that is instilled in players comes a culture that a team forms. For Mesa, Wilson wants that culture to stand on the premise of always competing no matter the stakes or score.
"We have to be scrappy, if someone comes and watches our games they shouldnt be able to tell who's winning or losing. It should be a competitive atmosphere all around," said Wilson.
For the Lady T-Birds and the large number of freshmen they have, building that culture may be difficult at times and when it is, Wilson will look to her sophomores to lead the charge as they've done all fall and leading up to the beginning of their season.
"All our sophmores have taken that leadership role, they all lead in their own way and allow the freshman to see what works for them and how they want to be a leader for next year," said WIlson.
In their 42 game season that will take them through a gauntlet at times of the best in the conference, along with playing in the almost daily increasing heat in the valley of the sun, the grind of the season may take a toll on the Lady T-Birds.
To combat that Wilson will look to change up routines from time to time to keep her players loose and having fun playing the sport they love.
"We have a smaller team so playing fatigue will be real. Having built in practices that are meant for fun and falling back in love with the game. Obviously we're competitive," said Wilson, "we have practices where they're working hard and they want to get stuff done, but also mixing it in team building and bonding."
Mesa will kick off their season at home with two non-conference doubleheaders on Feb. 17 and 24. They will begin conference play on the road against Glendale on Feb. 27 and will kick off their conference home opener on March 5 against the Gauchos.
Click here to view the Lady T-Birds schedule.
