By James Fay<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hood women\u2019s softball looks to start this season with a grand slam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Blazers came in at number seven in the MAC coach\u2019s preseason poll. After a 16-24 season in 2023, Coach Terry Burdette and the Blazers are looking to turn it around this season and climb to the top of the MAC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m very excited and can\u2019t wait to get started and get outside more,\u201d Burdette said. \u201cWe need to prioritize practice every day, improve every day, taking care of the little things, and improve our defense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Blazers have many veteran players coming back this season, such as senior pitcher Jordan Long and junior pitcher Rebecca Gottleib, as well as junior first baseman Jocelyn Pfleiger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They have also brought in some new faces, such as freshmen Hannah Cohen, Sara Munson and Robin Charlton who look to make a huge impact on the defensive side of the ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Blazers are focused on key elements that will keep them motivated. \u201cI think that we have great team chemistry and that we can pick each other up when we are down,\u201d Long said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust to get in that rhythm to keep going,\u201d Gottleib added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not going to be easy for the Blazers, Burdette said. \u201cIt\u2019s a tough league, very competitive, lot of great coaches, there\u2019s no single dominant team in the MAC Commonwealth in softball,\u201d Burdette said. \u201cEvery game is a dog fight; every game is important.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Blazers struggled early on last year with injuries. This year, they look to change that. \u201cI think we have great potential,\u201d Burdette said. \u201cThat\u2019s a big priority is getting ready for the season and staying healthy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Blazers open their season on Feb. 29 as they travel to Catholic University to take on the Cardinals at 1 p.m.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"