The Trojan softball team is ready to leave this cold weather for some warmer temperatures as they open their 2024 season in Henderson, Nevada at the College of Southern Nevada Kick Off Classic this coming weekend.
Trinidad State will open the season against nationally ranked Eastern Arizona (a national qualifier a year ago) at 9 a.m. MST. on Friday January 26. Their second game of the season will be against Pima College at 2 p.m. MST later that afternoon and then they will end the day with a contest against Gateway Community College at 4:30 p.m. Day two of the classic on Saturday January 27th will have the Lady Trojans playing Arizona Western College at 9 a.m. MST and finish with Central Arizona at 11:30 a.m. MST.
"We definitely don't have an easy opening weekend that's for sure," said Trinidad State Softball Head Coach Steve Swazo. "Four of the teams we are playing could come out of Region 1 and make it to the national tournament so we know we will have our hands full each game but that's the whole point; to play some of the best teams in the country to prepare us for our region."
Trinidad State Softball finished second in Region 9 last year losing in the championship game to Northeastern Junior College 8-7 despite having an overall record of 38-14. The team's main focus this year is to play great competition before they get to regional play.
"Not going to lie, losing in the championship game was a tough one to take, but in the end, I hope it made our sophomores remember how it felt and now know what it takes to get there and to finish the deal and I believe this team can do that," Swazo said. "We have eleven sophomores with plenty of experience and ten hungry freshmen who have put in the work in the fall and are ready to showcase their talents in the spring."
A few of those sophomores returning will be last year's Region 9 "Freshman-of-the-Year" pitcher Torie Sandoval (committed to Regis University) who jumped into first place in the TSC record books for most strikeouts in a season with 185 K's and also tied Teddi Garcia (2017) for the school record for most wins in a season with 22 victories. Also a name from last year is Ciara Spencer, who hit .583 which was second best in the nation among all NJCAA hitters along with catcher Zoey Stewart who hit .494 and led the team in homeruns with 21.
"Those three individuals were recognized by the Region 9 coaches last year but we also have some returning sophomores that I believe can make an impact with us this year and they are Zoey Gallegos, Elizabeth Thorngren, Jenisah Mora, Marissa Henry, Kenzie Mendoza, Isabelle Jolin, Maddie Valenzuela and transfer Mia Flores," Swazo said. "Then you add our incoming freshmen class, I believe will round out to be a pretty solid team."
This year's freshmen class include: Marisa Sanchez (New Mexico), Mia Bailey (Texas), Lexi Morlan (Utah), Amaya Valdilles (Colorado), Kelsey Grant (Utah), Mia Valenzuela (Arizona), Marissa Valenzuela (Arizona), Isabelle Salinas (Colorado), Mikayla Cruz (Colorado) and Hailey Maes (Colorado).
"We have a little more depth at every position this season," Swazo said. "We also have five pitchers which are all different in their own way so I think that will be an advantage since all our pitchers are unique."
Trinidad State is coached by Steve Swazo, who is entering his 18th season leading the Lady Trojans softball program and is currently 26 wins away from 500 career victories. He is assisted by pitching coach Danielle Caoili.
The rest of the 2024 schedule can be seen on the tsctrojans.com sports page and all home games are played at Southside Park.