Hailey
The Emporia State Hornets are riding the momentum of two consecutive seasons with 30 straight victories, a remarkable achievement that has cemented their place as a powerhouse in collegiate softball.
However, as they prepare for the upcoming season, the team faces a significant transformation—a completely rebuilt pitching staff.
Four Key Pitchers Exit, Fresh Talent Steps In
The Hornets are entering uncharted territory as all four of their starting pitchers from the previous season have departed.
In their place, the coaching staff is introducing a mix of two freshmen and two transfer athletes to take over mound duties.
Rather than viewing this as a setback, Head Coach April Rosales sees it as a strategic opportunity. Speaking with 13 Sports, she emphasized how this fresh lineup could be a surprise factor in conference play.
“The perk of us is that nobody has seen them in our conference,” Rosales said. “Which is huge. In our conference, you’ve gotta have it day in and day out, so to have four arms nobody’s seen before is going to be huge for us.”
New Pitching Strategy Offers Competitive Edge
Coach Rosales believes that the element of surprise will give her team an advantage over familiar opponents.
With rival teams having no prior footage or experience against the new pitchers, the Hornets could gain the upper hand in early matchups.
Preparing the Pitching Core for the Season
As the season approaches, the coaching team is focusing on integrating the new pitchers into Emporia State’s system.
This includes training them to align with the Hornets’ specific pitching philosophy and in-game decision-making, particularly around pitch selection and tempo.
“It’s about trying to get them worked into our system,” Rosales explained. “We’re focusing on what we want to do philosophy-wise in terms of pitching and pitch calling and then go from there.”
Looking Ahead with Confidence and Caution
While there is a natural adjustment period expected with such a drastic change, Rosales and her coaching staff remain optimistic about the transition.
The Hornets will look to blend raw talent with tactical discipline as they aim to continue their dominant performance in the new season.
With a winning streak that spans two seasons, the Emporia State Hornets have proven they’re a force to be reckoned with.
As they usher in a completely new pitching rotation made up of promising freshmen and transfer talent, the team is focusing on development, integration, and strategy.
Under Coach April Rosales’ leadership, this untested group could become the next secret weapon in the Hornets’ championship arsenal.