After playing their first five games in Florida over spring break, the women’s softball team is hoping to make it to the playoffs this season, according to head coach Kay Sopocy.

During their trip, the team went 3-2, and even though they lost two games, those were the best games of their stay, according to Sopocy. The team was able to keep up with good teams from other states and only lost by one run in the end.

“Even playing the teams we lost to, […] the umpires and everyone kept saying, ‘Wow, you’re really good for a northern team,’” Sopocy said. “It was a compliment because they play year-round down there.”

From improving on the field to bonding off the field it was overall a good trip for team improvement, according to senior Jordan Davis.

“We went to Universal Studios, and it was really fun to go down there instead of it being [a trip only for] softball,” Davis said. “[On the field] we had really good pitching by Katie Rossmann, and Megan Steil is doing really good at shortstop. I think we surprised ourselves offensively. We were a lot better than we thought we were going to be.”

Having nine seniors on the team who have been playing together for at least two years is a big chemistry- builder, Sopocy said.

“Their experience is telling,” Sopocy said. “They’re a really giving group in helping the [JV and Freshmen] players. Not just the captains. They’re all really nice, genuine people, and I think they have some expectations of having a good season.”

Not only does the team have great chemistry amongst the seniors, they also have a few underclassmen who will be a big contribution to the team, according to Rossmann. Rossmann said she has big expectations for sophomore Alyssa Carasotti, who is the only sophomore on the team.

“In our game against Hersey, [Carasotti] did really well,” Rossmann said. “She really stepped it up, so I feel like she is going to do really well this year.”

The team’s biggest match-ups this season, according to Davis, include New Trier and Maine South.

“We play really well against [New Trier] every year,” Davis said. “Last year we went into extra innings with them, and everyone always steps up their game when we play New Trier because they are our rivals. Maine South also because it’s always a close game with them too.”

After losing four seniors last year, the team hopes to do well in conference and the playoffs this season, according to Davis.

“The thing that has changed from last year is, since it’s mostly a senior team, we want [to do better] more because it is our last year,” Davis said.

The Titans next hit the field tomorrow against Maine South.