Halloween scrimmage builds chemistry for team

As the softball team starts to wind down its fall training for the upcoming season, it held its annual Halloween intrasquad scrimmage on Nov. 3.

With Halloween costumes that ranged from Thing 1 and Thing 2, Bugs Bunny and Spongebob to Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy.

The Halloween scrimmage  was the perfect thing to keep things light and fun before the season rolls around.

“It’s nice to end fall being fun because as soon as spring starts we go hard and are very focused, no messing up,” said sophomore first baseman Chelsea Martinez.

The scrimmage was beloved by players, both new and returning, who enjoyed the opportunity to play the game they love without any of the stress that will come from games in the regular season.

“Just being able to be out there and play softball, not have it be so serious,” said freshman shortstop Miranda Rodriguez.

“Do what we do in a relaxed atmosphere,” she said.

The scrimmage also provided players and coaches a chance to grow closer and build an even stronger bond for the upcoming season, which is only beneficial in the long run.

“I think it’s just a good experience because the bonding brings us closer and that just helps us later on in spring with just being on the field and helping each other out with school. It keeps us on track,” said redshirt freshman pitcher Ashleigh Berg.

The scrimmage featured four groups of three hitters with groups rotated between fielding and hitting.

The game ended in a 7-7 tie, but the players walked away from the game knowing they had fun doing it.

“It was a lot of fun. We all got to dress up like dorks,” Martinez said.

“That’s always fun and we got to play softball and I love playing softball,”she said.

There were a wide variety of creative costumes on display and it helped make the intrasquad scrimmage even more enjoyable and kept the mood light.

“Probably just having fun and getting to see all the creativity of everybody’s different costumes,” Berg said.

The game provided a positive experience for freshman players in helping them have fun with their teammates and get more comfortable with them.

“I think it’s a good experience because they just get to bond with the sophomores, because sometimes they may feel a little insecure and don’t want to put themselves out there,” Berg said.

“So it’s just a good bonding experience,” she said.

It also helped teach the players who are newer to the college athletics level about how the importance of relaxing and not getting swept up by the added pressure and itensity when the season rolls around.

“[Kinda] Just to stay relaxed. It teaches us a little bit about when it comes to game time, to kinda just play our game and relax,” Rodriguez said.

Overall, the annual Halloween intrasquad scrimmage provided players and coaches with a fun, light-hearted atmosphere and the perfect chance to relax before the team gets back to the grind of the season and competing for a conference title in the spring.