Softball team sees huge growth and off to season opener

BONNERS FERRY — Badger softball went 0-2 at state last year, now as more girls have joined the team, they are focusing on the fundamentals.

Badger girls softball has had a huge increase of players this year, the program is capped at 32 girls, many are playing softball for the first time. There are 16 girls on JV and varsity teams.

Head coach Kassy Skeen said that players from last year heavily recruited, bringing in more girls than before.

“I graduated at BFHS in 2018 and have never seen the program this full,” Skeen said.

“We worked so hard to get to state a lot of [the girls] had never been to state before. Last year, five of our starting nine had never played softball before,” Skeen said.

The state competition is a big shock due to the lack of experience and confidence by the players. This year, due to even more new faces and the lack of softball programs in the county, Skeen is focusing on the fundamentals.

“Right now it is all about getting the girls used to the game,” Skeen said. “We are building our foundation skills super strong this year. There is nothing wrong with a good foundation, so everyone is going back to the basics. […] That way when we go back to state, we will have the fundamentals to fall back on. [That way] we’ll know we can compete. We won't have to wonder if we can.”

Another major focus for the Badgers this year is preparing for the mental game. Last year, what it came down to was that the players got in their own heads at state and Intermountain league games, Skeen said.

Softball is 80% mind and 20% skills, she said. Going into the games against Orofino, the Badgers have not had any field time due to field conditions.

Skeen said that if she sees a big improvement in the team's foundational skills and being able to stay positive, then that is a win for her at Orofino.

The Badgers play against Orofino in Orofino Friday, March 11 at 4 p.m. and Saturday, March 12 at 10 a.m.