Griz hold inaugural softball practice
9/3/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The first-year Montana softball program held its first ever practice Tuesday at Sentinel High School, and head coach Jamie Pinkerton used the opportunity to install the team's warm up for the season.
"I wanted the team to get a taste of what a daily practice will be like in a Griz uniform," Pinkerton said. "I liked their enthusiasm, I liked their effort. I thought for a first practice they were quite clean."
Pinkerton said the team was a little rusty on short hops in the infield, and taking the correct angles when cutting off balls in the outfield.
Of the 17 players on Montana's roster, only three are upperclassman.
Kenzie Cole, a transfer from Boise State and Montana's only senior, said she glad to see how hard everyone was willing to work.
"We came out here with a bunch of enthusiasm and we worked our butts off today," Cole said. "There are going to be a lot of obstacles to overcome with a brand new program, but I think it is a very unique opportunity and I'm excited."
Montana is currently holding another round of open tryouts, which began Sept. 2 and run through Sept. 5.
"If there is something that one of these ladies can bring to the table, then we'll have them," Pinkerton said of adding players from the the open tryouts.
Madeline Merritt, a redshirt sophomore who made the Griz roster at the spring open tryouts, said everyone on the the team shares the similar goal of building a strong foundation for seasons to come.
"Everyone gets along really well," Merritt said. "Everyone brought a lot of energy and excitement to kick off the first practice in Griz softball history."
Cole agreed, saying she had never been on a team where they bonded so quickly.
"A lot of the girls have really great personalities and everyone seems to click really well," Cole said.
The Griz have already had a barbeque as a team and also attended a Grizzly volleyball game together.
Montana will play eight exhibition games this fall, with the first four games occurring at the MSU Billings Invitational on Sept. 20-21.
"We are going to use the exhibition games as practice and see what kind of versatility (we) have," Pinkerton said. "I will be experimenting with different combinations and speed and power, switching the lineups throughout the game."
