RIALTO HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL 2024 Season Preview (CA)

As the head coach for the Rialto High School softball team, Sydney McCarthy has a clear vision for the team's success this season. Her top priority is to put the ball in play and get runners on base, which requires strong communication from everyone involved with the team. This includes coaches, players, and parents. McCarthy emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and positive environment for her players to thrive in. She believes that body language and attitude are crucial at all times, and strives to instill a strong sense of teamwork and camaraderie within the team. This season, there are four players on the Knights' roster who are sure to make an impact. Among them are Rylee Estrada and Natalie Pedroza, who serve as both starting pitchers and key defensive players. Estrada, who also plays center field, has impressive speed and tracking skills, making her a valuable asset to the team. Meanwhile, Pedroza has shown significant improvement since her freshman year and is expected to have a standout senior season. Desiree Saldate and Samantha Artaza are the other two top offensive players, with high on-base percentages and a track record of success. McCarthy is excited to see how they will perform in their junior and senior seasons. In addition to these experienced players, there are also some promising new additions to the roster. Freshmen Janelle Gomez and Brooklyn Gaytan, along with junior Delilah Perez, are all expected to make significant contributions to the team. Gomez is competing for the starting catching position and has already impressed McCarthy with her determination and potential. Gaytan and Perez are both versatile players, able to play multiple positions on the field and bringing a strong work ethic to the team. As for leadership, McCarthy has a clear idea of the qualities she looks for in a team captain. These include keeping control of the game and the team's attitude, maintaining punctuality and organization, and treating all teammates with respect and recognition. She also values consistency in terms of attendance, attitude, and work ethic. Leading up to the season, McCarthy had individual meetings with each player to discuss their goals and expectations. She is looking forward to seeing the team's growth and communication this season, as she believes that this is the first year where all the players know and understand her expectations and are fully committed to giving their all on and off the field. McCarthy's coaching style has evolved this year, as it is her second season as head coach.