After a 32-9 record in a 2018 season that included a SUNYAC championship title, the Geneseo Knights softball team looks to repeat their success in the 2019 season.
“Granted that we won the title last year, we believe we’re very capable of winning it again this year,” senior outfielder Danni Napoli said. “However, we have a good understanding of the idea that nothing comes for free and that we can’t take any team for granted.”
Up first for the Knights’s season is a spring break trip to Clermont, Fla. There they will face 12 teams in a span of six days. Each day will consist of a double header, facing one team at 9 a.m. and the second at 11:15 a.m.
After spring break, the Knights are scheduled to travel to Alfred University on March 27 for yet another double header, facing the Saxons at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. SUNYAC play officially begins on March 29 when the Knights face the SUNY New Paltz Hawks.
Because softball’s season doesn’t begin until the spring, the team has plenty of time to prepare both physically and mentally.
“We’ve spent the last couple months reviewing specific situations where we have historically been successful and other situations where we haven’t, attempting to get as close to perfect as we can be through adjustment and repetition,” Napoli said. “We’ve also put a great emphasis on physical strength this preseason, as we did last preseason, spending three days a week in the weight room and actively doing cardio each and every practice.”
The “versatile” team, as described by Napoli, has made some changes in their lineup this year. Players have gained or changed roles from past seasons and really worked on their batting placements. The team is using the motto, “Defend nothing. Attack everything,” this season to fuel their competitive nature.
For right now, the players are focusing on the tough spring break training trip they have ahead, according to junior shortstop Brooke Wolff.
“We have all been working very hard over the past seven or so weeks and I think it is going to show this upcoming week in Florida,” Wolff said. “It will be a challenge for us seeing as how we have only gotten outside three times, but I have no doubt we will be able to adjust quickly and do what we need to be successful.”