FORT COLLINS, Colo. – After a day of practice and prep for their first NCAA Division I postseason appearance, the Tritons joined the rest of the tournament teams in supporting a local fastpitch league by coaching the girls through at-bats, fielding, and base running.
 
It was a warm Colorado afternoon as the Tritons walked out onto the Triple Crown Sports fields. Smiles were contagious across the team and coaching staff as the little leaguers laced up their tiny cleats and put on their small gloves. There was a quick debate about who had the best cleats on the field, but the bright pink cleats with the bright pink batting helmet combo was a crowd favorite.
 
The six-year and under teams were hesitant at first to meet their new "coaches," but shyness gave way as they quickly warmed up to the smiling faces of the Tritons when they were asked their names and their favorite things to do on the field.
 
The gold and blue joined the Green Team for the game's first at-bat. As each small batter stepped into the box, they were helped with their batting stance and were cheered on every time they swung, even if the tee had to come out. On the base paths, the Tritons were giving the runners the go-ahead on nearly every hit, waving their arms to head home, or helping them tag up.
 
In the field, many of the Tritons instinctively went to their regular positions with their buddies and began coaching them on where the ball needed to go based on the number of runners on base. It was happily received information, even though the execution of that information was a different matter. The Green Team recorded several outs each inning and managed to tag a few runners as they were on their way home to score.
 
Throughout the game, the base paths were lined with student-athletes from UC San Diego, Virginia, and Central Arkansas as the little leaguers took high fives the whole way from first to third. The college athletes joined their respective teams for a post-game high five line with the other team, sharing encouragement with their future competitors as they all shared their love of softball with the next generation.
 
Afterward, the Tritons handed out posters to sign for their new "teammates" with many little leaguers not wanting to leave the field as they continued to bond. The thank-yous and good-lucks from the players and parents were sincere and heart-warming as the Tritons headed to dinner sharing the various moments of silliness and joy they witnessed throughout the game.
 
FRIDAY'S GAME POSTPONED
The NISC tournament was originally scheduled to begin on May 20, however, due to weather, all Friday games have been canceled. The No. 10 seeded Tritons face No. 7 Rutgers University for game one of the tournament with the winner going on to play No. 2 Baylor. Tentatively, action will begin on Saturday, May 21 with UC San Diego's new game time set for 4 pm MT.

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 has begun a new era 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 38 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 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.