By The Carroll College Fighting Saints softball team made their season debut on Feb. 4, in Minot, North Dakota, at the Bubble Invitation hosted by Minot State University. The Fighting Saints finished 2-2 overall with wins against Valley City State University and Dakota Wesleyan University. The Saints scored an impressive 20 combined runs in the two victories.
“The season has started off great so far, we have had many preseason games that have allowed us to see live pitching before our conference games start,” said senior pitcher Abby Hanley, a health science major from Las Vegas.
Outfielder Kirstin Norris, a senior health science major from Phoenix, supports the changes.
“Our program is changing for the best and we are excited to see it grow,” said Norris. “Our team atmosphere is unmatched, and I feel like it will only get better as the season goes on.”
With senior experience and leadership, Norris joins Hanley in adding depth to the roster this spring.
New head coach, Shawna Juarez, joined the Carroll staff this year after having served in the same role at Miles Community College since 2018. She’s set her standards high.
Juarez has brought a new intensity to Saints softball and has sparked productive change. With Juarez’s guidance, the practices are now at a faster pace to create more game-like scenarios.
“Our practices have been very intense and more productive since coach Juarez has got here,” said Hanley.
Follow along with the Fighting Saints as they hit the road again to compete in a tournament in Portland, Oregon. Games started on March 3.
