The 49ers’ softball season got underway on Friday with a doubleheader in the Cathedral City Kickoff. They are currently ranked in two different preseason polls (No. 20 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll, No. 24 ranking in the USA Today/NFCA’s) and were chosen preseason Big West champs by the conference’s coaches.  Head coach Kim Sowder says the rankings are a compliment to this year’s talented squad, which lost a talented senior class last spring.  Shortstop Jessica Beaver, catcher Brooke LeSage and leftfielder Lacy Tyler (who started every game last season) were among the graduates who helped last year’s team finish with a 40-17 record. Still, expectations and hopes are high around the softball complex.

“I feel that with the talent we have, and if we continue with our progression—we should definitely climb up the rankings,” said senior third-basemen Jennifer Griffin. “That is, if we play to our potential and don’t play at any other team’s level.”

Playing at other team’s levels might not necessarily be a bad thing, as the 49ers have a top-25 heavy schedule, starting today when they face No. 22/23 Georgia at 10 a.m. In their 54 scheduled games, Long Beach State will face eight preseason top-25 teams in six different California tournaments.  Then, on March 20^th, the 49ers will travel to Tempe, AZ to face defending National Champions Arizona State in a three-game series.  Last year, Long Beach was 7-6 against top 25 teams.

“We always have a tough schedule,” said coach Sowder who was 2008 Big West Co-Coach of the Year. “A tough schedule can work either way, but it certainly helped us last year.  And I certainly think we are a top program that can compete with anyone in the country.”

Sowder says that she will be counting on the leadership of the five seniors on her team. Griffin will be at third base and will be the bashing bat in the middle of the lineup after leading the team in batting average (.336), doubles (16) and tying for runs scored (28) last season. She also set Long Beach State’s season record with 36 walks.  On the other end of the infield will be sure-handed senior Jonae Perez.  Perez hit .203 last season and only committed three errors the entire season at first base.  Junior Ashley Levine will play short this season after starting majority of the games last season at second; her double play partner will be junior Jodi Nakawatase, a Millikan High grad and transfer from Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Senior Danielle Linke, who had a number of clutch hits last season hitting behind Griffin, will take over the lead-off role in the 49ers lineup and patrol the outfield.  Linke is not your conventional slap-happy leadoff hitter, but then coach Sowder is not one for the trendy: last season, Jessica Beaver was the lead-off hitter for the Beach and still led the team in home runs and RBIs. Breezy Goad will be out there in the outfield as well, she started 51 games for the Beach last season, including some at third. There is also a good chance junior pitcher Bridgette Pagano will see some action in the outfield, providing the 49ers with some depth in the lineup.

“Since we’re picked to win the Big West, there’s a big target on our back,” Griffin said. “We’re not the surprise team in the conference anymore.  People now know what to expect, know what we have, know what we bring to the table.”

There’s no doubt that they know who Brooke Turner is. She is back to anchor the pitching staff after a freshman year where she was named second-team All-American, first-team All-West Region, first-team All-Big West and conference Pitcher of the Year. Joining her on the pitching staff is Bridgette Pagano (13-11, 2.39 ERA), a second-team All-Big West selection.

Coach Sowder also has high expectations for her incoming players, one of them being pitcher Taylor Petty, a graduate of San Pedro High School, whom Sowder says has the skills and intangibles that will help the team immediately.

Another one of those newcomers expected to make an impact is catcher Brandy Reyes, a junior transfer from St. John’s, who will be in the lineup as a designated player as well. Junior Kristen Pocock will be behind the plate as well for Long Beach State. Brooke Turner was quick to point out that both catchers are more than capable with the mitt and she expects big things from both players.  As for her expectations for herself, she isn’t too concerned with any sophomore slumps.

“I can’t put any extra pressure on myself,” said Turner, who set Long Beach State single season records with 27 wins, 17 shutouts and 37 strikeouts plus a single game record 16 strikeout game against then No. 5 Florida. “I can just do what I been taught to do since day one. So I’m just trying to be humble with everything, have fun and just play the game.”

Having fun is something that rings across the board with this team. Griffin, the self-proclaimed team prankster, is looking forward to having fun with her teammates on and off the field. Griffin recalled a prank from last season that had her fingerprints all over it, directed towards coach while on the road. Let’s just say it involved some caution tape and a chalked body outline outside of coach’s room door. It resulted in a frantic moment from some teammates before coach could even be had. But you got to love the effort.

“We may not look serious most of the time—I mean, we got some pranksters and stuff on our team,” Griffin said with a crooked smile. “We might look laid back and relaxed on the field, but when it comes to competition everyone is out to win and this team can definitely compete with anyone.”

I think most will agree that, while the team may enjoy a joke from time to time, with last year’s success and this year’s potential, this softball squad is no joke.

The 49ers are heading to San Diego on consecutive weekends for different tournaments (February 13-15 and February 20-22) and will then play in consecutive tournaments at Mayfair Park February 27- March 1 and March 6-8.