A new season begins for the FCC softball team.

They come into the 2011 season with a 29 player roster and an intact coaching staff led by head coach Rhonda Williams.

The team features nine returning sophomore players who were part of the 2010 season that had the Rams finish 29-11. According to Williams there are a few sophomores that are looked upon to step up as leaders this year. “Ashlynn Marino has been part of championship teams before, and she is one of many that we expect leadership from.”

The FCC softball team will also feature 11 freshman players.  “It will be important to get the freshmen the experience as soon as possible,”said Williams. Our freshmen have played in tough high school athletic conferences and tough travel ball leagues.”

The Rams come into their 16th season under Williams, who has been named the CVC Coach of the Year five times. After the 2001 season, Williams’ staff was named “Staff of the Year” by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. She says that her favorite part of coaching is, “Just interacting with the players and competing. Seeing players that want to compete and watching players thrive while they compete.”

This offseason, it was not only the players who were training for the season ahead, coaches were sharpening their softball knowledge too. “This past December I went to a National Softball Coaches Association softball coaching convention. It’s constant learning, the game changes and you have to change with it,” says Williams.

The team will work with a three pitcher rotation that consists of sophomore Mackenzey Bard, and freshmen Tiffany Ballardes and Katie Schafer. “Pitching is a huge part of this game,” says Williams. “We have three solid pitchers that we’re going to rely on this season. Pitching will have a major impact.”  

Ashlynn Marino will be sharing the space with infield/catcher, Stephanie Baird.

Representing the Rams in the infield are sophomores Kim Fisher, Kat Hernandez, Lisa Mejia, and Jessica Simmons. The freshmen infielders this year are Jessica Harrington and Dom Shelby.

In the outfield this season will be sophomores Valarie Gobby, Adrieanna Ramirez, and MaryBeth Williams. The freshmen in the outfield are Kapri Angotti, Miranda Gonzalez, Cierrah Mullins, Sherry Ramirez, Kayla Walker, and Lauren Zenimura.  

The rams have new goals and expectations. According to Williams, “My expectations are to win the CVC this year. Whatever that record is, we want to bring the championship back to Fresno, back to FCC.”  

Williams finds that what will make this season unique is, “All of the individuals. Every team has its own dynamics and personalities.”

The softball team starts their season Feb. 8 against Bakersfield.