Boise transfer ready to lead young Griz softball team
9/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
At the age of nine, Kenzie Cole fell in love with the game.
Cole, a transfer from Boise State, is the only senior on Montana's inaugural softball team.
"The competition and the interaction with team, I just love everything about it," Cole said. "Being a part of an inaugural team is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Cole grew up in Dayton, Nev., a small town on the border of Northern California, and quickly began looking for a higher competition level.
"When I started playing at a higher level, and I was successful, that was really a turning point for me," Cole said. "I loved the feeling of being able to strike people out at a level I had never played at before."
Montana assistant coach Melanie Meuchel played a large role in recruiting Cole. Meuchel and Cole have known each other since Cole was 12, at the time Meuchel was coaching at the University of Nevada.
"I was able to watch her progress over her high school career," Meuchel said. "She is a competitive kid. Pitching takes a lot of work ethic, time and drive."
In Cole's three-year stint at Boise State, she went 9-14 in 51 appearances for the Broncos. Cole said Meuchel has always been a great influence on her.
"I just have always felt a good connection with her," Cole said. "I grew up knowing her and really liking her."
It takes a special breed to be a pitcher.
"Everyone is always watching you," Meuchel said. "You have the spotlight in good and bad times, you have to be able to succeed by yourself."
When it comes to Montana's first season, head coach Jamie Pinkerton sees Cole as one of the team's potential leaders.
"With a new program she is going to bring instant leadership," Pinkerton said. "I think if she continues to improve like she has the past 10 days, getting stronger, getting her confidence back and just pitching, I think that she has a chance to have a really good season, maybe the best of her career."
Cole is the only player on the Griz with Division I experience. After battling with illness for most of her last season at Boise State, Cole is using fall practices to improve.
"I have very high expectations of myself," Cole said. "I want to help the other girls on the team if they have any questions or concerns. I remember being a freshman and being really nervous about the first game I was playing."
Montana will play eight exhibition games this fall, with the first four happening Sept. 20-21 at the MSU Billings Invitational.
Montana's first home games will take place on Sept. 28. They will be held at Frenchtown High School's softball complex.
