Softball: Extra Work Helps Development
May 19, 2016 | Softball
By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
Sometimes athletes leave a legacy that endures.
For Washington's softball program, Ashley Charters and Dena Tyson started a trend that continues to drive the way the Huskies train.
Back in 2006-07, the standouts started to seek out extra work. They wanted to invest as much time as rules allowed, helping to secure successful seasons for the program.
A decade later, Washington's players are still training with that mentality. In fact, on Wednesday, as the Huskies prepared to host Friday's 7 p.m. NCAA Regional matchup against Weber State, the program's standouts were taking extra batting practice.
“All of these guys are here on their own,” coach Heather Tarr said. “It's a pretty cool group that way. They (Tyson and Charters) gave that work ethic to the next group and this is the third generation of that.”
That work ethic has helped the Huskies adjust throughout a season where injuries have forced players to shift positions.
“We've just got a good team in terms of understanding how the process is going to give us the outcomes,” Tarr said. “There's a pretty good culture in terms of what we want to be about.”
Washington's coach was recently watching a video from February. Kimberlee Souza was catching and Courtney Gano was playing first base – and those changes were just two off the differences in the lineup. Once Gano suffered an injury, Souza shifted to first base. Other adjustments followed.
The Huskies embraced the changes and head into the postseason ranked No. 13 in the nation.
“This team understands the work ethic that goes into being ready to play and compete pitch to pitch,” Tarr said. “That's all you can really do and this team really does buy into that.”
As Washington prepares for Friday, the Huskies may have to adjust again. With freshman pitcher Taran Alvelo currently unavailable – “We don't know if we're going to be able to get her back this weekend,” Tarr said – the program will need other players to step up the way others have all season.
“It's do or die for us right now,” Tarr said. “We have to possibly compete with the rest of our pitching staff. They're pretty balanced, two righties, two lefties. We have a lot of different ways for teams to have to figure out how to approach those pitchers.”
This season, the Huskies are as young as they are versatile. During the NCAA postseason selection show, Tarr started to talk to her team about hosting a regional. She quickly realized many of her players have yet to share that experience.
“I can't say, 'Oh, do you guys remember?'” Tarr said.
However, while this season hasn't always been easy and, despite being young, the Huskies have embraced each challenged they've been dealt.
“It's been a fun year in terms of the distance we've come,” Tarr said.
During Wednesday's voluntary batting practice session, Julia DePonte was running a few minutes late. Souza made sure to explain the plan to her teammate. Like Charters and Tyson in the past, Souza is setting an example that will be passed down to younger teammates.
“It is her turn to pass the model on,” Tarr said.
Then, when it was time to take her swings, Souza sent softballs sailing out of the Huskies' park, a strong sign for what's to come as the program prepares for an extended postseason run.
