Sacramento State Women’s softball began its Fall Ball on Sept. 25 and a mixture of returning players and younger freshmen is hopefully the perfect recipe for the Hornets come springtime.

The Hornets split four games in the Stockton Tournament – winning against Cal State Stanislaus and San Jose State, but losing to Nevada and Cal. Sac State won all three games at the Roseville Tournament against Sacramento City College, Sierra College and UC Davis.

“Fall ball is going well right now. We are 5-2 after two weeks of play,” said Sac State softball head coach Kathleen Strahan.

The players that have stood out to Strahan are freshmen Jennifer Hartman, Kayla Papez, Kortney Solis and seniors Kelli Frye and Emily McCormick.

Sac State welcomes the addition of eight new players – two pitchers and six positional players.

The other incoming players to look out for this fall and spring are Alexis Martinez, Makenzie Wayadande, Alyssa Vanderdrink, Kaitlyn Yerby and Thomasina Watts.

“Wayadande is a speed demon all over the base paths,” said third baseman Emily McCormick.

Yerby came to Sac State this fall after transferring from College of Charleston.

Yerby will be a freshman since she was awarded another year of eligibility because of a medical redshirt granted by the NCAA, Strahan said.

Strahan said she likes what she is seeing from her new players so far during Fall Ball.

“All of them are doing a wonderful job and are playing a big role in our team’s success so far this fall,” Strahan said.

Junior Taylor Stroud looks to lead the pitching staff this upcoming season after last season’s 14-9 performance with 79 strikeouts. Stroud has been working on her pitching during Fall Ball.

“I am working on throwing to lefties better in the fall because it was one of my weaknesses during last season,” Stroud said.

Frye and McCormick will be the Hornets two seniors returning to the team from last year.

Frye posted a batting average of .348 with four doubles, three triples and 17 RBIs. She also was 100 percent in stolen bases with 10 steals. The upcoming senior played well in the outfield finishing last season with a fielding percentage of .972 and only two errors.

McCormick played all 46 games last year hitting a .340 batting average with 10 doubles, five home runs and 31 RBIs.

McCormick returns to the diamond where she fielded almost 99 percent of the plays to her, only giving up two errors. McCormick said she looks to not only improve on her fielding, but stay injury free as well.

“Staying healthy is the one big thing I need to work on after last season,” McCormick said.

McCormick was recently named team captain and looks to be the big sister to the younger players.

“Being captain, I am trying to help the younger kids grow up a little faster and lead by example, as well as being verbal to help our team,” McCormick said.

Stroud is the most experienced Hornet on the pitching staff and also looks to be a team leader.

“I wouldn’t consider myself as a role model, but I try to lead by example,” Stroud said.

The Hornets are looking to improve upon what they accomplished last season finishing 27-19 and 10-9 in conference play. Coming into this season the Hornets only lost four positional players and one pitcher.

Clifton Jones can be reached at [email protected].