As the seasons change and clocks reset, the Ithaca College softball team is springing ahead of the competition. Spring break meant the Bombers went down to Orlando, Florida, for a breakneck 10 games in five days and one-of-a-kind team-building opportunity.
Head coach Kelly Robichaud said the players’ mindsets were what made the team successful.
“At the end of the day, playing 10 games in five days takes a lot out of you,” Robichaud said. “But they did such a great job of staying in the moment, staying right in the game that we were in. We couldn’t worry about yesterday. We can’t worry about tomorrow. We can’t worry about the game later today. … That’s what really helped with the energy — staying focused on what we needed to do right then and there.”
The team’s season was supposed to start March 1, with a doubleheader against the University of Scranton in Scranton, Pennsylvania. However, the games were postponed, making the Bombers’ first appearance their doubleheader against the Suffolk University Rams and the University of Mount Union Purple Raiders in Orlando. Robichaud said that was not a setback for the team.
“Honestly, I think it made us even more hungry,” Robichaud said. “That’s a word we use a lot of, like, ‘Stay hungry. Let’s go get it.’ We were ready and prepared to play, so [the players] stayed really focused because they were really, really excited to play.”
The South Hill squad’s hunger was reflected in its stats. The Bombers scored four runs in the fourth inning against the Rams for a decisive 8-0 win. The second game started off at a slower pace, with IC scoring the first run in the top of the fifth inning. The Purple Raiders quickly responded with a run of their own, but the Bombers stayed vigilant and scored again to eke out a 2-1 victory.
The Bombers’ win streak continued the next day against the Ohio Wesleyan University Battling Bishops. First-year infielder Isabella Maynard hit two of the team’s three home runs.
“It was one of my core memories, for sure,” Maynard said. “I honestly can’t believe that happened. It was an awesome experience, and all the girls were hyping me up.”
Despite her strong performance, Maynard said that she was not focused on the numbers. She said her main goal was to have fun with her teammates.
“I was definitely close with the team in general, but being able to live with the girls in my house — I made stronger connections than I did before,” Maynard said.
The team was split among a few houses near the DiamondPlex Softball Complex, where the games were held. Robichaud said this offered a unique team-building experience.
“A lot of people have always talked about how you’re a team from the start of the year in September, but you get closest with your teammates over spring break,” Robichaud said. “You spend so much time together, and you get to know people in a different way. Maybe our freshmen haven’t gotten super close to our juniors, but when we’re all living in the same house, you get to do that.”
Senior pitcher Anna Cornell said she relied on all of her teammates — especially her co-captains, junior utility Kailen Winkelblech and senior infielder Sela Scheinman — for support throughout the trip.
“Spending time with each other when traveling and living together in our houses in Florida helped all of us to reset each day and be ready for the next day of games,” Cornell said via email.
Another unique part of the tournament was the weather. The Bombers typically play in 50-degree weather, with their warmest home game last season being cloudy and in the low 70s. In Florida, the South Hill squad saw a high of 85 degrees during its first day of games. Robichaud said a large part of preparing for the trip was learning how to work with the heat.
“[The players] did a great job of taking care of their bodies and preparing their bodies before the trip,” Robichaud said. “We talked a lot about hydration … and I think the prep work that they put in put us in a good spot.”
The South Hill squad kept its energy high throughout the trip, ending the stretch with a 9-1 record. The last time the team has recorded a 0.900 spring break trip was in 2006 when it ended the season by reaching the NCAA World Series.
The break came to a close with a 4-3 win against the Western New England University Golden Bears. Maynard said it was the most exciting game of the trip.
“We went into extra innings, and the energy was so high, adrenaline was rushing,” Maynard said. “That was probably my favorite game because we didn’t give up. We didn’t crumble. The team united as one.”
Cornell said she attributes the team’s success to its depth.
“We learned to embrace our depth by stepping in for each other throughout the lineup,” Cornell said via email. “That is something that we will continue to take advantage of throughout the rest of the season. I think we set a high standard and expectation for what this group is capable of achieving this year.”
Maynard said that once she was back on campus, she missed being around her teammates all the time. She said she is excited to get back into the swing of practices, games and spending time with the team.
“Our schedule does get super busy at times, but I truly love every second of it,” Maynard said. “I look forward to every practice and every game because our team truly feels like a big family, and I couldn’t ask for better girls. This team means so much to me, and I can’t wait for the rest of the season.”
