@LATechSB Continues Fall Workouts
11/6/2020 2:20:00 PM | Softball
RUSTON, La. – The Louisiana Tech softball team is close to wrapping up official fall workouts as the Lady Techsters continue their series of intrasquad scrimmages Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Ruston Sports Complex.
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Gates will open at 10:20 a.m. and fans are reminded to practice social distancing guidelines by wearing masks and by not interacting directly with the LA Tech student-athletes and coaches within the confines of the facility.
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Interim head coach Bianca Duran, who takes over the program following the departure of Maria Winn in late July, said that the team has adapted well to the many changes surrounding college athletics due to Covid19.
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"Fall practices had an interesting start with regards to COVID due to having some of the players out in the beginning for quarantine and isolation," said Duran. "But since that first surge, the players have done a great job staying safe and healthy. This team has done an exceptional job adapting and overcoming.
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"Our practices have not been disrupted much by the new protocol aside from being able to hear us as coaches at times when we are talking through masks, but it has challenged us to lock in more often to ensure we aren't missing any key information. We have also been forced to implement more live situations since we do not have a true fall competition season. That has been an area we've had to get creative in our preparation for the spring."
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The LA Tech roster has seen significant turnover since the program captured the 2019 Conference USA regular season and tournament titles. The 2020-21 roster contains only three players that were a part of that championship run, including Zoe Hicks, Lindsay Edwards and Hannah Koenig. More than half of this year's roster is new to the program, including seven true freshmen, two DI transfers and two junior college signees.
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Despite the lack of experience on this year's team, Duran said it has been a promising sign to see the attitude of the group on an everyday basis on the practice field.
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"What excites me the most about this group is their willingness to play for one another and their drive to compete ever day in all that they do," said Duran. "This group has found their true love for the game again and seeing that in fruition on a day-to-day basis excites me for what's ahead this spring.
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"We are determined not to let anything that is out of our control affect our attitude and effort. We have a lot of new faces this year, but our depth is stronger than it's ever been before. I undoubtedly know I can put any of them on the field and they are going to get the job done."
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In a Covid19-shortened season in 2020, the Lady Techsters struggled to an 8-16 overall record, with all 24 games coming on the road. However, Duran said she has seen plenty of signs of leadership amongst her players this fall.
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"In the beginning, we had to work through the loss of a senior leader who was truly our voice on the field," said Duran, in reference to departed senior Marilyn Rizzato. "But instead of letting that challenge bring us down, it allowed for many individuals to rise up and be the new voice that this team truly needed. I am beyond proud of the leadership that has come from all of the returning players.
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"They've all took it upon themselves to lead in all aspects of the game and that has allowed for our incoming players to feel that sense of comfort and ease to the new challenges they were going to face. Not only did our returners step it up, but the new additions to our team have all taken on a role of leadership whether it's leading by example or through accountability of one another."
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The Lady Techsters are eyeing February when the program will move into its new multi-million dollar complex that will include a new stadium, hitting facility and two-storied facility that will include team meeting room, locker room, lounge, sports medicine complex and coaches offices.
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Tech is scheduled to open its season Feb. 12-14 at the ULM Mardi Gras Classic. The Lady Techsters home opener in its new facility is set for Feb. 23 when it hosts ULM.
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Season tickets will go on sale Tuesday at 9 a.m. as chairbacks, bleacher seats and berm seating are all available in the new ballpark. Fans can purchase their season tickets by calling 318-257-3631 or buying online at LATechSports.com/tickets.
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Gates will open at 10:20 a.m. and fans are reminded to practice social distancing guidelines by wearing masks and by not interacting directly with the LA Tech student-athletes and coaches within the confines of the facility.
Â
Interim head coach Bianca Duran, who takes over the program following the departure of Maria Winn in late July, said that the team has adapted well to the many changes surrounding college athletics due to Covid19.
Â
"Fall practices had an interesting start with regards to COVID due to having some of the players out in the beginning for quarantine and isolation," said Duran. "But since that first surge, the players have done a great job staying safe and healthy. This team has done an exceptional job adapting and overcoming.
Â
"Our practices have not been disrupted much by the new protocol aside from being able to hear us as coaches at times when we are talking through masks, but it has challenged us to lock in more often to ensure we aren't missing any key information. We have also been forced to implement more live situations since we do not have a true fall competition season. That has been an area we've had to get creative in our preparation for the spring."
Â
The LA Tech roster has seen significant turnover since the program captured the 2019 Conference USA regular season and tournament titles. The 2020-21 roster contains only three players that were a part of that championship run, including Zoe Hicks, Lindsay Edwards and Hannah Koenig. More than half of this year's roster is new to the program, including seven true freshmen, two DI transfers and two junior college signees.
Â
Despite the lack of experience on this year's team, Duran said it has been a promising sign to see the attitude of the group on an everyday basis on the practice field.
Â
"What excites me the most about this group is their willingness to play for one another and their drive to compete ever day in all that they do," said Duran. "This group has found their true love for the game again and seeing that in fruition on a day-to-day basis excites me for what's ahead this spring.
Â
"We are determined not to let anything that is out of our control affect our attitude and effort. We have a lot of new faces this year, but our depth is stronger than it's ever been before. I undoubtedly know I can put any of them on the field and they are going to get the job done."
Â
In a Covid19-shortened season in 2020, the Lady Techsters struggled to an 8-16 overall record, with all 24 games coming on the road. However, Duran said she has seen plenty of signs of leadership amongst her players this fall.
Â
"In the beginning, we had to work through the loss of a senior leader who was truly our voice on the field," said Duran, in reference to departed senior Marilyn Rizzato. "But instead of letting that challenge bring us down, it allowed for many individuals to rise up and be the new voice that this team truly needed. I am beyond proud of the leadership that has come from all of the returning players.
Â
"They've all took it upon themselves to lead in all aspects of the game and that has allowed for our incoming players to feel that sense of comfort and ease to the new challenges they were going to face. Not only did our returners step it up, but the new additions to our team have all taken on a role of leadership whether it's leading by example or through accountability of one another."
Â
The Lady Techsters are eyeing February when the program will move into its new multi-million dollar complex that will include a new stadium, hitting facility and two-storied facility that will include team meeting room, locker room, lounge, sports medicine complex and coaches offices.
Â
Tech is scheduled to open its season Feb. 12-14 at the ULM Mardi Gras Classic. The Lady Techsters home opener in its new facility is set for Feb. 23 when it hosts ULM.
Â
Season tickets will go on sale Tuesday at 9 a.m. as chairbacks, bleacher seats and berm seating are all available in the new ballpark. Fans can purchase their season tickets by calling 318-257-3631 or buying online at LATechSports.com/tickets.
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Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
Pitcher
/ Softball
Catcher
/ SoftballWednesday, May 27
Wednesday, May 06
Thursday, April 30
Thursday, April 30
