Winter sports are still in full swing, but our spring sports also know a thing or two about swings; swings of a bat or lacrosse stick that is.
As our UCCS baseball, softball, and women’s lacrosse teams prepare to battle their opponents and potential bad weather, it is important for fans to know where they stand and what to expect. As they all strive for big things this season, let’s look at how these teams changed over the long offseason.
Baseball
Last year’s team snuck into the RMAC championship tournament as the No. 6 seed and are looking to build off their performance last year.
The roster featured 12 graduated seniors, including utility player Mikey Brinton, who led the Mountain Lions in fielding percentage and on base percentage last year.
Losing this many seniors would typically mean a complete team identity shift, but this year’s team might be more experienced than last year, featuring 10 seniors and 14 juniors, including senior infielder Bryce Peterson, who led the team in hits last year.
Projected to finish fourth in the RMAC, not a lot is expected from this UCCS team, just a minor improvement from last year.
But in sports, the best teams are usually the ones that can control the chaos and stay focused, especially in baseball where the mental aspect matters so much.
The large number of juniors and seniors on the team makes the Mountain Lions one of the better equipped teams in the conference for dealing with the chaos and mental strain this season. So, if they go far, it will be because of the leadership and culture that the upperclassmen and eight-year head coach Dave Hajek bring to the table.
The season has already started and the team holds a 1-2 record after a series with Fort Hayes State at the turn of February.
Softball
Softball is coming off a season finishing fourth in the RMAC and the preseason coaches poll projects that nothing will change, with the Mountain Lions being ranked fourth coming into the season.
A bright spot for this team is sophomore infielder Halley Redd, who was second in the RMAC in hitting percentage and fifth in hits as a freshman.
The team is balanced in the number of underclassmen and upperclassmen, which can bring out the best of both worlds. With breakout stars having a chance to emerge under the leadership of the veterans of the team.
Last year, this team excelled at hitting, being the third best hitting team in the conference. That aspect looks like it has continued to improve, as the team has scored 10 or more runs three times over the course of five games.
While non-conference play is not always the most accurate way of telling how good a team is, the Mountain Lions are looking good, as they went 4-1 in the South Central Regional Crossover with their only loss coming to No. 8 nationally ranked West Texas A&M.
Third year head coach Dwight Sanders has seen success so far in establishing a new, refreshing, winning culture within the program. If the bats stay hot, prepare to see the Mountain Lions stack up the runs on their way to another deep conference tournament run.
Women’s Lacrosse
Women’s lacrosse finished last season at third in the RMAC and the preseason coaches poll predicted no movement, placing them at third heading into this season.
Last year, their offense was powerful as they led the RMAC in points per game and assists per game, with sophomore attacker Sarah Urbanic leading the conference in goals per game, shots per game and points per game.
Urbanic returns to the team this year as a junior and looks to lead a young team, including 15 freshman, to a great season.
With so many young players, it is hard to predict how the team will do. The key to their success will be their ability to develop these players to create stars that will lead the team in the future.
The team kicks off their season against Maryville on Feb. 22.
The final stretch
It has been a good year for UCCS sports and some of the spring sports look to continue the culture.
Some teams will want to use their experience to bring in the wins while others are looking to establish themselves as the new kids on the block, but the end goal is the same: Win games and proudly represent UCCS.
Watch these teams on the RMAC Network and follow along with the schedules, rosters, and results on the UCCS Athletics page.
Pictured: #25 Hayden Iverson. Photo via The Scribe archives.