Image by Cheryl Holt from Pixabay
By Jonah Graham
The Softball team here at Skagit is preparing for more upcoming competition. With their season pushed back, they are now getting back in the groove of things and are excited to get back to work. The head coach, Lisa Bennet, answered some questions regarding the upcoming season, new recruits, and the safety of the team.
How are you preparing for the upcoming season?
“SVC is following NWAC’s announcement last month that all sports scheduled to begin in winter will resume competition in March. The resumption is dependent on the decision of each college to participate and on the approval of state and local health authorities. All competition will end no later than June 15 and all NWAC Championship contests are canceled. With this announcement, SVC will phase in sports programs onto campus with a student to coach ratio of 5 to 1. Protocols will be in place to ensure we are educating coaches and students about all COVID safety measures, which include proper daily health screening, temperature check(s), social distancing, mask-wearing, disinfecting all equipment, washing hands, and limiting hand-to-face contact.”
What new recruits have you gotten, and how will they change the dynamic of the team?
“For 2022 we have signed 4 players. Two pitchers, a corner infielder, and a catcher utility player. We are very excited to have them join SVC Softball. I know they will make a great impact on the program and will be a great fit for the Birdball family.”
What are you looking to improve upon this year?
“We have a lot of talent this year. This is definitely the fastest team I have ever had here so it will be a blast to watch them run the bases and look for extra opportunities during games. Our pitching staff has the ability to throw teams off balance which will be great. At the plate, we pack quite a bit of power so that with the speed on the base paths should lead to some fun moments this year.”
What steps are you taking to ensure the safety of everyone involved?
“The safety and well-being of Skagit Valley College students, staff, and coaches remain top priorities for the SVC Athletic Department. To support all students, employees, and visitors who must be on campus, SVC Security has implemented a check-in/check-out system. The College remains focused on creating and implementing ongoing health and safety protocols, which are essential to maintaining a safe on-campus environment for all individuals.”
The Softball team will be back in action in March of this year. The Cardinal will be following their games throughout the team’s competition.
