As softball season approaches, head coach Ginny Mitchell prepares the team to round the bases to the playoffs. With only one thing in mind, winning, Moorpark’s Softball team plans to knock this season out of the ballpark. Going 24-14 last season, the Raiders plan on improving their standing with the addition of power hitters and building the team’s chemistry.

The team is stacked this season with a good pitching crew and seven big hitters. With an 18 player roster, the largest group in years, Mitchell is hopeful that the Raiders will take it all the way to conference this year.

With so much talent on the team, Raiders women make creating the starting lineup difficult for Mitchell.

“Almost every single one of them could be a starter, so it’s going to be a battle between them,” stated Mitchell. “They motivate each other, but they’re also competing for a spot.”

Not only are the Raiders motivated for a spot in the lineup, but they are working to improve their stats. Last season the team went 8-7 in away games. The goal this year is to stay awake and play more focused. Players find it easier to play at home when the energy is pumping and there is familiar faces in the crowd.

Yet there is no doubt the team will give their opponents a challenge. With 247 runs scored and a .412 on-base percentage last season, the team has no problem producing runs.

“This team is special, there’s just too much talent on this team for us not to win,” expressed Mitchell.

Going to conference and beating Ventura College, the Raiders’ biggest rival is the team’s current focus.

Moorpark Softball does not just want to do well, they want to win conference and go to state. With Coach Mitchell’s five years of coaching experience, Mitchell plans on keeping a balance between motivation and trust to lead the team to victory.

The Raiders hope to get on the board early with the season starting Friday, Jan. 24, as they take on Saddleback College in an away game.