LA JOLLA, Calif. – The UC San Diego softball team wrapped up its fall season just prior to Thanksgiving, one which looked quite different than any other in Head Coach
Patti Gerckens' last 29 years at the helm.
Following a heartbreaking end to the 2020 campaign due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Tritons were thrilled to get in two solid months of instruction on the field and improve their strength and conditioning, most importantly with their teammates by their side. In compliance with university, local, and state regulations, the team maintained physical distance and wore face masks while training.
Gerckens shared her thoughts on the fall in this Q&A session.
Q: Overall, how would you describe the fall season? How did the team handle everything, all things considered?
Gerckens: Overall, the fall season went very well. Given the circumstances, the athletes did a tremendous job at staying safe by keeping their distance and following the protocols put in place. This allowed us to have somewhat of a 'normal' practice schedule. The fact that we were able to get out on the field, perform drills, and build team chemistry was both enjoyable and very necessary. The coaches and athletes practiced in masks every day, but I never heard one complaint. I give my players a lot of credit and I am so proud of each one of them for what they were able to accomplish this fall. Their attitudes were amazing.
Q: How did your team stay in touch after the season abruptly ended in the spring and over the summer?
Gerckens: We had many Zoom meetings to check in with each other. The way the season ended in the spring felt like a huge loss for everyone involved. People grieve differently and I thought it was really important to discuss the emotions and feelings of one another during the difficult time. We knew the safety of everyone had to be put first so the cancelation was understood, but it was also something no one could have ever imagined happening. Staying connected was really important to all of us so that we could work through it together.
Q: In what area did you see the most growth from your team this fall?
Gerckens: I noticed the most growth in how grateful my athletes were to be playing the game they love. We always talk about how at any given day, the game can be taken away from you. I think the fact that they were so grateful to be out on the field and with their teammates every day, it allowed them to become more coachable. As a result, we saw great strides in all areas of each individual's game.
Q: What individual performances stood out or impressed you?
Gerckens: This fall we saw improvements across the board in our metrics including pop time from the catchers and exit velocity from our hitters. We saw an increase in velocity from
Robyn Wampler on the mound. It's great to have
Bobbi Aguirre back competing behind the plate.
Isabel Lavrov has improved her skills both offensively and defensively and is learning how to slow the game down. In the outfield,
Keila Bosinger has stepped up tremendously and
Kelley Renner looks solid as she continues to work hard and get healthy from past injuries.
Q: How has the team dynamic been? How have the rookies and Assistant Coach Christina Washington adjusted to the program?
Gerckens: The team chemistry has been very strong. The returners did an excellent job at including the newcomers in as many team bonding activities as they could in a safe manner. I think the rookies really fell into place, worked hard and enjoyed being around their new teammates. I believe we are going to see some great things from them when it comes time to play.
Coach Washington has done an awesome job working with the pitchers. We have already seen our pitching staff develop and progress in the short time that she has been with us.
Q: What kind of leadership did you see from your upperclassmen?
Gerckens: I saw strong, servant leadership from the upperclassman. They modeled what is important to our team culture so that the younger classes could become more familiar with the system and the expectations. They never acted like they were above any other class and helped the rookies feel included in our family from day one.
Q: Heading into the holiday break, what will be some key areas of focus for your scholar-athletes?
Gerckens: Our scholar-athletes were given an individual practice plan from the Athletic Performance Unit (APU) to follow over break which focuses on strength and conditioning as well as nutrition. I hope they all continue to build upon the many skills they learned this fall season. Once we return in January, we are going to need to face more live pitching in order to really prepare ourselves and get our timing down.
Q: What are you looking forward to most in UC San Diego's inaugural year in Division I and the Big West Conference?
Gerckens: It is going to be fun to play against a whole new crop of teams. The excitement of playing at the next level in Division I has been building over the last year. We are looking forward to competing against the best. I really hope we can have a season for these scholar-athletes that love the game and train very hard each and every day.
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program begins a new era in 2020 as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 37 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.
